You booked this experience
Make your trip unforgettable

Carcassonne: Secrets of the Castle's Defense Self-Guided Tour

13 Reviews 4.31 out of 5 stars Based on 13 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Carcassonne, France
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.

90 to 150 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 8 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Polish
Instant confirmation

Overview

How do you stop an army of 20,000 men? Carcassonne had an answer: double walls, more than one thousand arrow slits, and a narrow corridor between the ramparts designed as a killing zone.

This self-guided audio walking tour takes you inside the engineering of Europe's largest medieval fortress, from Roman foundations to the siege that brought down the Cathars. You will walk the spaces between the walls where invaders were trapped, stand where Dame Carcas fooled Charlemagne with a single pig, examine how arrow slits gave defenders a lethal advantage, and end at the Basilica of Saint Nazaire with its remarkable stained glass.
The tour plays on the Tourific app (iOS and Android), works entirely offline once downloaded, and is available in nine languages. Start anytime, pause whenever you like, and go at your own pace, no fixed schedule, no group to keep up with. Over 20,000 travelers have used our self-guided tours. The tour comes with a full refund guarantee.

What's Included

  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you don’t love the tour, write to us for a full refund.
  • Offline access to the tour (no internet connection needed) once tour is downloaded
  • Images to identify stops and in app interactive map for navigation
  • Any entry tickets
  • Entrance to Château Comtal is not included. Travellers are responsible to buy tickets to enter if they wish to enter. The tour does not require you to enter the Château.
  • Human tour guide at location
See 3 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Porte Narbonnaise
11000 Carcassonne, France

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

La Cité
Place Saint-Nazaire, 11000 Carcassonne, France

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Carcassonne Center

Kick off your adventure at Porte Narbonnaise, walk along the Lices to discover the castle's defense mechanisms, and wrap up your tour by visiting the beautiful Basilique Saint Nazaire.
Read more

1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Château Comtal

A castle inside a castle, with its own moat, drawbridge, and murder holes.
Read more

10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Eglise Saint-nazaire

A blend of Romanesque shadow and Gothic light, with stained glass
Read more

20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 2 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Carcassonne: Secrets of the Castle’s Defense Self-Guided Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-472599P8

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.31
13 reviews

Average 4.31 out of 5 stars based on 13 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
8
4 stars
3
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Carcassonne is the largest fortified medieval city in Europe with its double walls still intact — a UNESCO World Heritage Site most visitors only skim …More

Carcassonne is the largest fortified medieval city in Europe with its double walls still intact — a UNESCO World Heritage Site most visitors only skim...

2 to 3 hours Free Cancellation
4.6 (46)
from
$14

Carcassonne Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour

The Best Way to Discover Carcassonne: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour! Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. …More

The Best Way to Discover Carcassonne: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour! Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity....

2 hours Free Cancellation
3.8 (12)
from
$3

A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica

Enjoy this self-guided tour of the Basilica of Saints Nazairius and Celsus in Cité de Carcassonne, exploring the untold tales of Western Christianity. Led by …More

Enjoy this self-guided tour of the Basilica of Saints Nazairius and Celsus in Cité de Carcassonne, exploring the untold tales of Western Christianity. Led by...

120 to 150 minutes Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$13

Corbières & Lagrasse Full-Day | Abbey & Village Culture

Venture into the heart of the Corbières, where vineyard slopes shimmer beneath the southern French sun and medieval villages echo with centuries of stories. Travel …More

Venture into the heart of the Corbières, where vineyard slopes shimmer beneath the southern French sun and medieval villages echo with centuries of stories. Travel...

7 hours Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$257

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Carcassonne During World War 2

We will visit buildings, memorials, statues, and places that have a link back to World War 2 and I will share my love of the …More

5.0 (160)

Carcassonne During World War 2

5.0 (160)

We will visit buildings, memorials, statues, and places that have a link back to World War 2 and I will share my love of the...

2 hours 15 minutes Free Cancellation
5.0 (160)
from
$23

Unusual guided tour of Carcassonne at the time of the Builders

Guided by Master Guilhem, Dive into the 13th century in Carcassonne at the time of the great constructions. A builder from generation to generation, his …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Guided by Master Guilhem, Dive into the 13th century in Carcassonne at the time of the great constructions. A builder from generation to generation, his...

1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.6 (11)
from
$23

Private guided tour of the city of Carcassonne

This guided tour is private you will not be mixed with other travelers. The tour adapts to your pace. You will experience an immersion in …More

This guided tour is private you will not be mixed with other travelers. The tour adapts to your pace. You will experience an immersion in...

90 to 100 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (61)
from
$184

Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Carcassonne is the largest fortified medieval city in Europe with its double walls still intact — a UNESCO World Heritage Site most visitors only skim …More

Carcassonne is the largest fortified medieval city in Europe with its double walls still intact — a UNESCO World Heritage Site most visitors only skim...

2 to 3 hours Free Cancellation
4.6 (46)
from
$14

What's Included

Activity name

  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you don’t love the tour, write to us for a full refund.
  • Offline access to the tour (no internet connection needed) once tour is downloaded
  • Images to identify stops and in app interactive map for navigation
  • 1-year access on iOS & Android. Listen to the tour anytime, as many times as you like
  • Check or search your inbox for an email from “Tourific” with tour access instructions.
  • Audio and written guide included
  • Any entry tickets
  • Entrance to Château Comtal is not included. Travellers are responsible to buy tickets to enter if they wish to enter. The tour does not require you to enter the Château.
  • Human tour guide at location

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Report Product Issue

Activity name