Hotels Carcassonne

What to see by car: Carcassonne

The place of greatest historical significance in close proximity to Carcassonne is Beziers, where the first massacre of Cathars took place in 1209. The Crusaders laid siege to the city and massacred all its inhabitants in a show of hatred against the Cathars. Men, women, children and even Catholic residents were all slaughtered - including those who took refuge in the church.

Today, Beziers is a pleasant, tree-lined town known for its good wine, bullfights and Friday flower market. It is also known for its ferias (fairs) which are among the most festive in Europe. A visit to the Plateau des Poetes, with its exquisite gardens filled with rare plants, trees and busts of famous poets, is enchanting.

Minerve is west of Beziers and northeast of Carcassonne. It is worth visiting the town's fascinating museum, which documents the history of the Cathars. Simon the Wicked, leader of the crusade against the 'heretics', had to bombard the town for 7 weeks before gaining entry and burning 140 Cathars to death.

Narbonne is an attractive town with an interesting Roman history that can be studied through various exhibits in the town's museums. Its Cathedral of St Just is the fourth tallest cathedral in France. A good day to schedule a visit is Thursday - market day.

In medieval times, villages were built according to a circular design for security reasons. There are many examples of these ancient sites around Carcassonne, so an exploration into the nearby countryside is a fun excursion.

Selection of hotels in this region:

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