Count's Castle

The Count's Castle was built in the 12th century by Raimond Trencavel, the son of Bernard Aton IV Trencavel, Viscount of Agde, Albi, Béziers, Carcassonne, Nîmes, and Cécile de Provence.

The Count's Castle was originally a fort protecting the city against invasions. It was then turned into a residence for the Carcassonne viscounts and became a symbol of their power and influence in the region.

Nowadays

Visitors can explore the various spaces of the castle, including the tower dungeon, the reception halls, the viscount's apartments, the ramparts, and the gardens. The halls are decorated with period objects and exhibitions presenting the city's and the castle’s history.

Opening Hours

The Count's Castle is open to the public every day, except on January 1st and December 25. The place closes at 5:00 p.m., but you need to enter before 15:45, otherwise, you will be denied access.

Guided Tours

In addition to the self-guided tour, guided tours are available in several languages for those who would like to know more about the castle's history and architecture.

The Count's Castle is a must for visitors to the Medieval City of Carcassonne. The site visit gives you a good idea of what was its rich past and provides you with a magnificent view of the Ville basse.

You find a little-known place in the castle after entering through the Courtyard du Midi and walking by la Tour Pinte. This place was once used to secretly keep some important prisoners.

Under the Tour du Degré, in the main courtyard, you descend at the chevet of the chapel of Sainte-Marie. This is where you can find the Roman mosaics of the colonia of Julia Carcaso dating from the 1st century before Christ… discovered by chance in 1926 and restored in 1974. Still on site, you can see a fresco of the chivalry war from the end of the 12th century, also discovered in the 20th century.