The Top 10 Things To See Do In Carcassonne's Bastide Saint Louis

Though less famous than the medieval Citadelle of Carcassonne, La Bastide offers many historic sights away from the more touristy hype of the La Cité. Built in the 13th century by Saint Louis, from whom it takes its name, La Bastide is a sweet, walkable district of narrow, twisting cobbled streets built on a grid around the main square, Place Carnot. Once completely surrounded by fortified walls like the Citadel, these have since been totally destroyed and replaced by bustling boulevards. La Bastide is the type of neighborhood built for a day of leisurely exploration on foot, so get your walking shoes on (or grab your bike) and check our list for the top ten things to see and do as you stroll through this precious part of Carcassone.

1. Saint Michel Cathedral

Cathedral

Saint Michel Cathedral was built in the 14th century in a Gothic style with clear influences of the Languedoc region. However, it wasn’t recognized with the title of cathedral until 1803. It was partly destroyed by a fire in 1849, and it was the first of Carcassonne’s monuments to be renovated by the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc. Highlights to look out for exploring this cathedral include the gorgeous stained glass display to the side of the choir, dating back to the 14th century, and a statue of Notre Dame de la Rominguière from the same era situated inside the cathedral. In the exterior, some remnants of the defensive walls are still visible on the side of the cathedral facing the boulevard, where you can also examine arches that once belonged to the old Maison Grassalio, dating back to the 14th and 15th century.

Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi was realized in the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet, and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. The path alongside the canal makes Canal du Midi a perfect spot for a romantic promenade, or for an invigorating biking tour on a bright summer day. If you’d rather stay stationary and let the river do the moving for you, there are also resources for a relaxing boat ride down the canal.