Top Things to do in Aude
Top Hotels in Aude
- 1. Hotel de la Cite Carcassonne-MGallery
- 2. Hotel Montmorency Cite Medievale
- 3. Hotel du Pont Vieux
- 4. Hotel La Bastide Saint Martin
- 5. Hotel du Chateau "Cite Medievale de Carcassonne
- 6. Hotel du Pont Vieux
- 7. SOWELL Hotels Les Chevaliers
- 8. Hotel Campanile Carcassonne Est - La Cite
- 9. Hotel La Residence
- 10. Ibis Styles Carcassonne La Cite
Countries
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Aude, Occitanie
Discover the best top things to do in Aude, France including Cathedrale St-Just, Palais des Archeveques, Eglise Saint-Nazaire, Cathar Castles, Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne, Chateau Comtal, Chateau et Remparts de la Cite de Carcassonne, Chateau de Peyrepertuse, Chateau de Queribus, Les Halles de Narbonne.
Restaurants in Aude
1. Cathedrale St-Just
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,106 reviews
Reviewed By Hugo929 - Los Angeles, United States
This cathedral joins the one in Siena (Italy) as an example of grandiose but truncated plans. Begun in the 13th century in the prevailing gothic style it has impressive thick columns, beautiful gothic arches and colorful stained glass windows. Built on the site of previous churches, one can find remnants. In the 14th century funds run out, mostly because of a decline of business in Narbonne, so the nave is missing.
2. Palais des Archeveques
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
Reviewed By Marijkedol - Limoux, France
There is something about the cathedrales in France. The Cathedrale St Just in Narbonne is very impressive. You cannot help to feel humble and quiet if you wander through this magnificent building. It is right in the centre of Narbonne and it has a lovely garden.
3. Eglise Saint-Nazaire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,917 reviews
Reviewed By PJandSJ - Matlock, United Kingdom
This is an imposing church which exudes a sense of deep history. The stained-glass windows at the altar end of the church – the apse – are beautiful, particularly the two rose windows – one at each end of the transept. I sat there for several minutes gazing at their beauty … and returned two days later to have another look. The windows rivalled anything that I’ve seen on visits to various churches around the world.
4. Cathar Castles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 831 reviews
Reviewed By alexanderp982 - Helmsange, Luxembourg
Once you have parked in the village, walked to the entrance and paid the fee (face mask compulsory inside) you then take off your mask for the steepish walk up the hillside paths to reach each of the 4 castle ruins in turn. Allow 2 hours to do the tour. Ticket includes access to viewpoint across the valley which you can then drive to afterwards.
5. Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,819 reviews
Reviewed By shonas804 - Auckland, New Zealand
We absolutely loved visiting here. Imagine a real life medieval town, Harry Potter fans would love this place. I loved everything thing about it .... from the cobbled streets, the amazing turrets, to the fantastic shops, the incredible history and being able who walk around in a living city with so much history. The church had gorgeous stained glass windows. Go here, it is amazing!
6. Chateau Comtal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 905 reviews
Reviewed By Karen7 - London, United Kingdom
This well restored castle costs 9 euros to enter plus 3 for an audio guide which is good for English info on the history and events in the castle even though it's amusingly voiced by an Aussie and Irishman acting as the restorer Violet de Duc. You get to walk around so much of the castle and ramparts. We really enjoyed the night lights show too for 13 euros with films and music played on the castle walls. Helps to be fairly mobile though to navigate the various stone staircases
7. Chateau et Remparts de la Cite de Carcassonne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,328 reviews
Carcassonne was settled as early as the 6th century BC and later became an important Roman town. It was fortified in the 4th century and was a strategic site in the Middle Ages. It took on its definitive shape in the 13th century with the king’s decision to construct the distinctive double-walled ramparts and extend the castle. The city was restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century and is a testimony to 1,000 years of military architecture and 2,600 years of history. See a 12-minute film combining 3-D images and close-up footage; walk along the galleries, the fortified walls and the north ramparts; discover the museum of masonry and many other attractions. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > April to September: from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. > October to March: from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission 45 minutes before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 8,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 5,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
Reviewed By azeemcobb
Carcassonne is an old walled medieval city. If you like history and peace and quiet this city is well worth the visit, Very few cars are allowed in the city, so walking and enjoying the shops and sights is quite enjoyable. Spending a day walking the ramparts and looking at all the ancient artifacts and then enjoying the fine food and drink in the evening is most relaxing and enjoyable.
8. Chateau de Peyrepertuse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 974 reviews
Reviewed By SuzInDenver - Denver, United States
It’s a short trek to the rocky top but it totally pays off. There are lots of the castle ruins to explore plus 360 gorgeous views in several spots. Take water and a snack. It was really windy at the top so not the best for a full on picnic. There is an entrance fee, but we thought it was worth it.
9. Chateau de Queribus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 846 reviews
In the South of France, in the county of Aude, stands Quéribus, the last bastion of Cathar resistance, and Cucugnan, the village made famous by the tale of “The Sermon of the Curé of Cucugnan”, which was immortalized by Alphonse Daudet "Les lettres de mon moulin". The sight of Queribus Castle perched upon its crag, dominating the valleys below vividly evokes the world of the Middle Age, and the eleventh to fourteenth centuries when it held sway. Its high tower, like an eagle’s nest, offers a panoramic view over the plains of the Roussillon.
Reviewed By FlatToppedHill - Ramsbottom, United Kingdom
To start with I wasn’t convinced that we were going to survive the drive up to the carpark. Not because of the super narrow, super steep winding road with a sheer drop on one side, but because of the noise my boyfriend made as I gave our hired Skoda full throttle to get it up the hill. Part squeak, part squeal. He did relax a bit when we got to the entrance to the Château but it was touch and go for a while. I paid for our entrance in the small gift shop. The nice lady told me that it was very windy at the top and that I should hold on to my ... ‘hat?’ I said (in French). No no, she said, ‘hold on to your children’. My children are 11, 9 and 5 and not really built to be blown away so I had a bit of a laugh at this, which came back to haunt me shortly afterwards. We started the steep walk up the gravel path to the lowest part of the castle. The views were amazing, all the way to the Pic du Canigou one way, and the Med the other, with helpful boards pointing out what we were looking at. It was blowy though, and a passing couple advised my eldest to take off and hold on to his hat. As we got higher there was what can only be described as a full on wind tunnel effect. Wearing a skirt was a bad idea and the only thing that saved my blushes was the fact we were heading to the seaside afterwards meaning I was wearing (big!) bikini pants underneath. The children had trouble staying upright. Heck I had trouble staying upright and I’m a 10 stone lump. It was knock you off your feet windy, the strongest I’ve ever felt. Still we powered up and were rewarded with the most amazing views. Shielded from the wind the sun and blue sky combined to give us the most beautiful experience. We didn’t really know what should have been in any of the ‘rooms’ but it didn’t matter, it was all about the exploring and the views. I’m not sure that Queribus would be quite as ‘raw’ a visitor experience in our home UK. There were sections where handrails or guide ropes or staff would have been an advantage but where we were, obviously, just left to get on with it. This is fine if you know what you’re getting, but may be a shock to the system for some. It’s not quite the National Trust. As castles go though, this was utterly spectacular. Worth the journey, worth the climb, worth flashing my pants to all other visitors there at the same time. Go, you won’t regret it.
10. Les Halles de Narbonne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 907 reviews
Reviewed By davidwnorth - Eastbourne, United Kingdom
The French do markets oh so well. Fish, meat and patisserie all excellent. Good places for lunch and being able to find obscure items for the kitchen cupboard.
