3 days in Carcassone

[Fernleigh22]

Summer 26 we will have 3 days in Carcassone, 2 adults and 2 teens. Any ideas on fun things to do?! We like to be active, some shopping and a nice coffee or wine stop

Spent 5 days there last summer and it was wonderful. The castle is stunning and there are loads of things to do in the town and dozens of amazing restaurants and cafes. Look on TripAdvisor

It's not huge. Just wander around and take your pick. It's not the sort of place where you have to plan every day rigidly.
(Is the Tour de France stopping at Carcassonne next summer? It often does - that would be a fun day).

There used to be a fabulous Michelin starred restaurant inside Hotel de la Cite, but I don't know whether it's still there.

There's a bar/restaurant a way out of town that has an amazing view of the castle. I think it's called La Métairie. Le Blé Noir used to be a fab pancake place, not been for a couple of years as they were on holiday last time I was on holiday in Carcassonne. I have also had great food up in La Cité but it is a bit of a mixture of super touristy places and fab hidden gems.

Shopping wise, there are several nice streets in the "new" town, all fairly close to Place Carnot. La Cité has shopping but very much aimed at tourists. Place Carnot also has a market sometimes and there's a major market on the boulevard next to Cathedral Saint Michel but again not sure which days.

Activity wise, I usually just go for walks so not much to add on that front I'm afraid.

It had lost its Michelin star last time I went but was working to get it back, and we had a fab lunch for €50 or €55 per head. It included 3 courses, plus canapes, plus petit fours plus tea/coffee plus wine plus I think an amuse buche but can't quite remember.

You can hire a boat or cycle down the Canal du Midi.

Are you there around 7 July?

Kayaking, canoeing or canyoning with these fine folk: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1726275-d4522383-Reviews-Eaurizon-Puicheric_Carcassonne_Aude_Occitanie.html

I also did an amazing wine tour where they picked you up from your hotel in a minibus, this was the one I did (I think - while back!) but I am a sucker for history and castles in particular: https://vinenvacances.com/option/cathar-castles-roussillon-wines/

You can't go there and not learn about the Cathars - tragic and profound.

We went to this place https://parc-aquaviva.com/activites/ a couple of years ago.
Best to take a picnic probably. There are some "beaches" where can swim on the lake. We went in August and it was very very hot.

They really enjoyed the old town though and the square in the new town is full of life too. But it really was so very hot, I think we mainly laid in front of the fans in the apartment and watched the Olympics.