Why rent a car in Carcassonne?
When you first set eyes on Carcassonne, your thoughts may turn to fairytales, or fantasy novels like Game of Thrones or the Lord of The Rings. The fortified city is perched precariously on a hilltop, with giant walls and turrets that are seemingly crying out for a princess to be rescued from them.
Sadly, you’re unlikely to find many dragons here, but you will be treated to a romantic city that brims with history and offers plenty of options for fine dining and drinking. Plus, when you book a hire car in Carcassonne, you’re free to explore a charming area of France, with vineyards, areas of outstanding natural beauty and great beaches, all within easy reach of the city.
How to get to and around Carcassonne?
Carcassonne is served by Carcassonne Salvaza Airport, which lies about 20 minutes west of the city. If you book your hire car before you depart, you can collect it and be on your way to your hotel or guesthouse in minutes.
What brands are available?
When you book a rental car in Carcassonne, you’re free to choose from a range of trusted brands, including Gold Car, Firefly, Interrent EU, and Europcar.
Must-sees within an easy drive of Carcassonne
You don’t have to move much from Carcassonne to access some spectacular sights. The city itself is a Unesco World Heritage site, and it’s easy to while away a good few days simply roaming its quaintly cobbled streets, sipping coffees from the street cafes and dining in the quality bistros. Make sure to visit the Château Comtal, the 12th century castle that offers archaeological exhibits and tours of the catacombs.
If you have a hire car, the whole of this bucolic region opens up to you. Castres and Toulouse are both within reaching distance, the former about an hour north and the latter around a little over an hour’s drive west. Castres is a pretty little place, affectionately termed Little Venice by its residents, thanks to the calm canals that divide its streets. Toulouse is more cosmopolitan but equally beautiful, with pale pink buildings that have earned it the name La Ville Rose (the Pink City). Visit Musée des Augustins and explore an art collection that stretches from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Stylish Montpellier is also within striking distance (two hours east via the A9 and A61) or you can hop across the border to Barcelone to add an Iberian twist to your getaway. Just head three hours south on the AP-7.
Tips and tricks for driving in Carcassonne
Like the rest of continental Europe, France drives on the right. Remember that those medieval streets were designed for horse and cart, and may present some difficulties for cars with low clearances. If that’s an issue, leave your hire car in one of the car parks and wander the city streets on foots.
Ready to plan your Carcassonne city break?
If you’d like to see Carcassonne and France for yourself, you’re in the right place. Use the Expedia search tool along with our Carcassonne city guide to discover the help the best car hire, flight and hotel deals and to research the best attractions and activities.
