Carcassonne trip planner

Best known as a fortified town, Carcassonne is a walled city that provided the inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and the location for many scenes in Kevin Costner's movie "Robin Hood." For a daily dose of excitement, medieval jousting tournaments are held twice per day between the two walls--while this may sound like a typical touristy show, it's actually an entertaining display of combative competition and horsemanship.

For an interesting and fun ride, board a barge that moves along the historic Canal du Midi, leaving from just outside the main train station. Operators provide English commentary on the history of the canal and various sites in the Aude department of the Languedoc-Roussillon region along the way. When you get hungry, a culinary must for you to try is cassoulet, a local dish made from beans, sausage, and duck. Plan your trip to Carcassonne and other France destinations using our handy France road trip planner.