Carcassonne on Bastille Day

Hi. We are staying just out of Carcassonne on Bastille day this year. We are wondering what to expect, we have heard there are fireworks. We will have a car but I guess taking in into town and finding a park will be tricky. Any recommendations as to what we should be doing? Would it be a good idea to book a restaurant now, if so, where would you recommend?

Thanks,

|||

Hello

I shall be there to....

Its going to be busy busy busy

Try to find some where out of town on the canal to park and then walk into the centre on the canal path.

Most of the entertainment will be in the evening but the fire works will not start until late maybe 10.30 ish as it depends on the weather.( bring some warm clothes as it will be quite nippy by then.) I would recommend taking a picnic and walking long the river by the castle, you will find lots of others doing this and the atmosphere will be great ( as long as the weather is good)If you really want a resturant try La comedie in the new town , loverly people and great food.other wise there are lots o places in the castle but do you really want the hassel.?

Google carcassonne tourist centre for more info: there is a list of things going on

Have fun its going to be a great day

|||

Thanks Skiddy. When we planned our six week trip, it just so happened that we would be in Carcassonne on the 14th. We are actually staying in the Hotel Premiere classe Carcassonne on Allee Guttemberg - not much character we know, but passing through overnight and needed carparking too. Do you think we could walk to the canal and along the path from there? We looked on google maps and it doensn%26#39;t look too far...

|||

Skiddy thanks for the picnic idea. I figure most restaurants will be crowded or closed for the holiday.

See you there saramarylou.

|||

I was there on Bastille Day about four years ago, also by coincidence. Restaurants are really busy so you need to book if you want to eat in one; they also as I remember put on special menus for the day. We watched the fireworks from the Pont Vieux (old bridge) along with a few thousand other people. Get there by about 9pm if you want a good view. Great fun!

|||

I hope this link works its a map of carassonne click on accommodation and it will show your hotel. it is walkable but it will be a longish one , but you not far from the main route , it wouldnt cost a lot to get a taxi there ad back maybe an idea to book it through

www2.carcassonne.org/carto/swf_map_ang.htm…

|||

Great map thanks. I think we%26#39;ll get there earlier in the day and check it all out. Picnic sounds like a great idea so I%26#39;d say we%26#39;ll join the crowds and do that for dinner. Thanks for all your help. Yet another part of the trip I am really looking forward to!!

|||

I will be in France in July and was thinking of driving from Arles to Carcassonne on Bastille Day ... is this a bad idea? Are the highways going to be really crowded? Thanks!

|||

Get up early to make the trip , you may need to walk to get to the centre , ( just remenber where you have parked the car ) take a good street map, it will cut out the amount of walking you do. Take a picnic as waits in cafes and restaurants will be long take some seats with you if you can as its going to be a long day as the fire works will not start until late.

If you can get there do , it would be sad to miss such a sight.

|||

I think you can park in the town if you come early.

Remember they close all the town bridges around 3:00 pm (the last time we were there). We were warned by the hotel clerk to get our car back into!

Make sure you bring picnic food and drinks and if you have them a sunchairs....one waits a long time for the fireworks but those were the best I had ever seen!

Those fireworks over the Castle were most amazing and surreal! We will never forget that beautiful site!

|||

%26quot;Jerky...%26quot; you will have no problem with the roads to get there. It will be in the parking that is difficult.