Minibus Hire Across France

Minibus Hire in Carcassonne

Carcassonne is two towns: the walled Cité on its hill and the Bastide below, with the Canal du Midi beside the station. A minibus with a driver links them, then takes your group out into the hills of the Aude and down to the sea.

Reaching the Cité

Outside July and August, groups may be dropped and collected in the short-stop bay before the Porte Narbonnaise, the east gate used by vehicles. The driver then parks at P1, chemin de Montlegun, a few minutes' walk off, with 17 spaces for coaches.

High summer is different: in July and August nobody is dropped at the gate, and vehicles head directly to P1. From July through September a free shuttle runs up from there, sparing everyone the climb in the heat. Do not plan to arrive by the Porte d'Aude on the west side; it is for pedestrians only, up a steep cobbled street.

White minibus parked at the curb
White minibus parked at the curb

Inside the walls

Walking into the Cité costs nothing. Visiting the Château comtal and its ramparts is different: groups of 10 or more adults book online ahead, and anyone turning up unbooked or late for their slot is refused. Secure that slot before anything else.

Down in the Bastide Saint-Louis, laid out in 1260 around the Place Carnot, you will find the Cathédrale Saint-Michel and the shops. The Cité is about 10 minutes on foot over the Pont Vieux.

Flying in to Carcassonne

Places your group will love in Carcassonne

  • Embrasement de la Cité — Fireworks over the Cité every 14 July at 22:30
  • Château de Peyrepertuse — Cathar castle on a ridge above Duilhac; groups of 20 or more must book
  • Canal du Midi — UNESCO-listed canal; the port is opposite the station; boat trips from April to October
  • Bastide Saint-Louis — The lower town, laid out in 1260 on a grid around the Place Carnot, with the Cathédrale Saint-Michel; about 10 minutes on foot to the Cité over the Pont Vieux
  • Château comtal and ramparts — Run by the Centre des monuments nationaux; adult groups of 10 or more must book online in advance, and groups without a booking or outside their time slot are refused
  • La Cité de Carcassonne — Walled medieval city with two rings of walls and 52 towers, a UNESCO World Heritage site; entry to the Cité itself is free

Where groups tend to stay

  • Near the Lac de la Cavayère
  • Station and Canal du Midi
  • Bastide Saint-Louis (town centre)
  • Inside or at the foot of the Cité ramparts

Cathar castles and villages

Lagrasse is about 40 minutes away, Mirepoix about 45 and Minerve just under an hour, all good half-day outings for a small group.

Peyrepertuse, on its ridge above Duilhac, is about 1 hour 40 minutes away on narrow mountain roads, and bookings are compulsory from 20 people. Check access for your vehicle before you commit; no official drop-off point is published at the Cathar castles, so the driver confirms where to stop. A walk up to the walls follows, so wear good shoes.

Big summer dates

Every 14 July at 22:30 the Embrasement sets the Cité ablaze with fireworks, and the surrounding roads clog up. Get there by late morning or early afternoon, as the city recommends. Festival season runs through July and August as well, with shows at the Théâtre Jean-Deschamps and in the Château comtal.

Your questions, answered

Which airport is closest?

Aéroport de Carcassonne is about 5 km from the Bastide, roughly 10 minutes. Toulouse-Blagnac is about 1 hour 20 minutes away and Montpellier-Méditerranée about 1 hour 45 minutes, handy if your flights land there.

Can we take a boat on the canal?

Boat trips run on the Canal du Midi from April to October, from the port opposite the station. It is a gentle way to spend an afternoon after the Cité.

How far is the coast?

Narbonne is about 50 minutes and Collioure about 1 hour 40 minutes, so a day by the sea is simple to add to a stay.

More days out you can book with us

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