What Are the Best Hotels in Carcassonne?

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This historic five-star hotel is just a short trip from the centre and offers one of the best stays in picturesque Cathar country. Set among the ancient grounds of the fascinating Carsac oppidum, this once mansion has been carefully converted into a luxury hotel with traditionally furnished rooms, a tree surrounded pool and full 18-hole golf course. For food lovers, the Domaine d’Auriac features a fantastic Michelin-starred restaurant, Bernard Rigaudis, which serves a delicious menu of traditional and regional French cuisine.

Built into Carcassonne’s famous castle walls and first constructed in the mid 19th century, today Hotel de la Cite Carcassonne offers guests a luxury boutique experience. Each of the guest rooms and suites have plenty of welcome features such as scenic views across the city, marbled bathrooms and huge flat screen TVs as standard. For a truly memorable stay, be sure to check out the Michelin-starred in-house restaurant, featuring a menu put together by renowned chef Jérôme Ryon, with special focus on locally-sourced delicacies.

This charming guesthouse features some serene views of the nearby river and city. Dating back to 1850, the townhouse is a creative blend of new and old, with its rich heritage influencing the vintage design, while the rooms still offer plenty of contemporary comforts like walk-in rain showers, complimentary luxury toiletries and even free bike rental – a great way of getting around the city. If you’re looking for the right way to fuel up for the day, make full use of the complimentary breakfast, serving fresh local croissants and a daily selection of meats, fish and cheese.

Recently renovated, the Pont Levis Hôtel has had a fascinating history, going from an inn, museum, private house and finally the four-star guesthouse on offer today. Put together by the famed restaurateur Franck Putelat, the Pont Level is just a short walk from the old town and features 12 independently designed rooms, which each feature a private terrace or outdoor seating area. Inside Carcassonne, you’ll find several other establishments created by Putelat well worth a visit, including Brasserie à 4 Temps, beside the Bastide Saint-Louis gate and Table de Franck Putelat, a Michelin-starred restaurant by the city’s huge stone walls.

A relaxing guesthouse in Carcassonne’s picture-perfect Bastide neighbourhood, Les Chambre embodies the same casual charm that makes the city so popular. Each of the five spacious suites feature a modern, unique design and the guesthouse includes a delicious complimentary breakfast – the perfect way to start a day of sightseeing. The private garden and pool offer a calming spot, ideal on a summer’s day, while just next door you’ll find the striking Saint-Michel Cathedral, one of the city’s biggest landmarks.

Set a short distance outside of the city centre, Hotel La Bastide is bright, friendly and family-run, offering guests a chance to take in the pristine surrounding countryside. Each of the five guestrooms have an open, homely feel and the Privilege suite gives guests direct access to the gardens and swimming pool. Found within 5km (3mi) of two Unesco World Heritage sites – Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi – La Bastide Saint Martin is a great starting point for exploring everything that the Languedoc-Roussillon region has to offer.

The second on our list presented by Franck Putelat, Le Parc is a boutique four-star hotel in the heart of Carcassonne, on the doorstep of the historic ramparts. Despite the central location, you’ll feel you’ve been whisked away to a woodland retreat, with interiors that make the most of natural materials in their furnishings and each room featuring it’s own private terrace. Make the most of Putelat’s award-winning, double Michelin-starred restaurant “La Table,’’ which serves a mix of super-contemporary cuisine, seasonal dishes and an enticing continental breakfast.

The Faugeras family who oversee Hôtel Montségur have been hoteliers for five generations, beginning over a century ago. The resplendent cream facade and ornate iron gates of the 19th-century mansion that the hotel occupies gives a hint as to the quality found within. Each of the 18 rooms is outfitted with classical decoration and furnishings. The character of the place extends even to their employment of a night porter.