Porte Narbonnaise

Absolutely stunning, perfectly preserved piece of history. There are many cheap car parks nearby and everything is accessible, save a few steep hills. There horses which drive the carriages from this entry point are well cared for and healthy too!

We visited Carcassonne during the off-season; it was cold and wet, which meant the entire city was basically empty. We saw the same two dozen people all day. It was a fantastic way to experience the city, honestly. This gate is the way most folks enter the medieval city. I love that it's still, technically, a functional drawbridge. Y'know, just in case of Visigoths.

🛡️ Step into history at Porte Narbonnaise! This iconic 13th-century gate is your grand entrance to Carcassonne’s medieval fortress. Twin towers, a drawbridge, and serious Game of Thrones vibes 🏰✨ 📍 Must-see highlights: ✔️ Stunning stone architecture ✔️ Epic views from both sides ✔️ Best light = early morning or golden hour 🌅 ✔️ Start your guided tour here for the full story! Not just a gate—it's a time machine. Carcassonne #PorteNarbonnaise #MedievalMagic #FranceTravel #HiddenGems

Carcassonne is one of my favourite places to visit in Europe. We first came here when my firstborn was small and made videos of him chasing around the ramparts with a plastic halberd. Now, with our kids gone, we came back on a walking holiday to relive old memories and stroll the walls, back alleys and fortifications at a more leisurely pace. The Petit Train around the outside of the walls was surprisingly informative and good fun, while we enjoyed setting up some photographs inside the walls, without shops and tourist paraphernalia. A romantic, educational and thought-provoking place to visit. If the car had not been invented, would more towns and cities still look like this?

This is the main entrance if you arrive by car, it has all the parking areas this side, don't try and park at the other gate entrance "Porte de l'Aude” very little parking as you are in the main town area and a longer walk to get in.

Beautiful castle

Huge and massive stone gate with 2 medieval towers - that's the eastern entrance to the old city of Carcassonne, Cite. From here the road led to Narbonne to the east on the Mediterranean shore, that's why the name Porte Narbonne. Its the usually the main gate to assess the city. Small tourist "train" can take to from here and to here from the square in front of the train station in the city, 20 min. Or you can walk. I used the other gate to enter, Aude gate, and this one to get out. Its very impressive gate with falling bridge of chains, typical for medieval times. If you pay a ticket for Chateax and ramparts, you'll be exiting here in this gate.

Worth seeing if only to see the legendary statute of Dame Carcas who the Cité is named after. This is the main entrance to the ancient city and don’t forget to stop and view the incredible statue outside the main entrance. It’s easy to miss.