Discover the medieval city of Carcassonne

It's so steeped in history that it's hard to choose. If you like the playful approach, you can start with the Haunted House located close to the castle. This old mansion with around fifteen rooms is equipped to give you a thrill. It's a fun or downright scary attraction, depending on your sensibilities. Sensitive souls, go and eat a cassoulet instead.

More austere, to the north of the enclosure, the Museum of the Inquisition will tell you all about the torments suffered by the unfortunate Cathars accused of witchcraft. Hunted by the madness of the Inquisition, which was rampant in the Middle Ages, they often ended up burnt at the stake. Here, we tell their story.

Having played a strategic role in the defence of the fortress in the Middle Ages, the Château Comtal is still a key part of the Cité today, but this time for tourist reasons.

Although it can be visited all year round, access is not free and you will need to sign up for a guided tour to discover the interior, which will also give you access to the ramparts. Forming a trapezoidal shape adjoining the western wall, it is defended by two barbicans, one of which slopes down towards the Aude. Nearby, the Tour Pinte stands proudly, the highest rectangular building in the town, once a watchtower.

This brings us naturally to the south of the Cité, to the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire (11th, 14th and 19th centuries), a listed historic monument whose exterior was extensively transformed in the 19th century by the famous architect, known for his remarkable work on Notre-Dame.

Originally a simple 11th-century Romanesque church, this basilica blends Gothic and Romanesque styles throughout its interior decor and sculptures. The beautiful stained glass windows depict scenes from the epic of Christ, in the centre of the Tree of Life window, which also features a representation of the Temptation of Adam and Eve. It is worth noting that some of the original stained glass windows have been transposed to the formidable Saint-Chapelle on the Ile de la Cité in Paris.

Before setting off again, take the time to immerse yourself in this timeless place, and admire the basilica's rose window, a pure lace of stained glass, and the 17th-century organ, listed as a historic monument since 1970.

When you leave the basilica, you can go down to the Jean-Deschamps theatre, the former main theatre of the Cité, to the south, and exit through the Saint-Nazaire gate near the eponymous square tower, which opens onto the high lices, the space between the two concentric walls, dating from the 13th century, and the outer rampart, itself pierced by two gates.

Once out of the fortress, have fun identifying the seventeen Gallo-Roman towers, characterised by their horseshoe shape. Then, from 1 April to 31 October, the attraction continues with the Cité's little train, which parks near the Porte Narbonnaise and takes you on a guided tour of the ramparts (in 13 languages!). If you prefer horses, you can opt for a horse-drawn carriage ride, available on the same dates, which will take you on a tour of the lices, between the two ramparts.