Carcassonne, France
A truly unique property at the heart of the medieval citadel of Carcasonne, the Hôtel de la Cité offers historic architecture, Michelin star dining, terraced gardens and five-star luxury
Our review
Getting here is part of the fun. Following the instructions on the hotel website, we drove to a car park just outside the city walls. Here, you either get a shuttle to the hotel, and chance leaving your car here, or follow the shuttle to a secure private car park. The shuttle is a tiny thing, a bit like a beach buggy, which is just as well as it traverses narrow cobbled streets rammed with pedestrians, climbs impossible ramps and ducks under very low archways. Eventually we arrived at the hotel, right inside the city walls, shaken and a bit stirred.
Dating from 1909, many period features have been retained. The hotel was taken over by Cite Hotels in 2011 and has been making improvements ever since. As well as renovating rooms, there are plans for a spa in 2015 and a business complex in 2016. All suites have separate baths and showers and some of the Provencal-inspired ones in particular are very attractive, in striking cornflower blue and soft lemon.
From the attractive main salon with antique furniture, that also houses the reception desk, there are French doors to the pretty gardens beyond.
Our room had a good view of the medieval city, with the ramparts in the foreground. We had a small hallway with fitted wardrobe space; the bathroom led off this in one direction and the bedroom in the other. Our room was pleasant, if a bit old-fashioned in feel. The bed was extremely comfortable. The one-person bathroom had a shower over the bath. There was no thermostat so one had to be careful not to turn the hot or cold control the wrong way. It was nice to see a facecloth and sponge provided and the supplied French toiletries – Damane – were good. There were American, European and UK sockets provided – a great feature. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
The breakfast here was excellent. The hotel had told me they support local producers where possible; quite often this is just PR fluff, but I saw at first hand what they meant. From the buffet I enjoyed gorgeous just-baked local bread with regional butter, either salted or unsalted, and Carcassonne preserves, including orange marmalade. There was a splendid spread of smoked salmon and other fish, cold meats, cheeses, freshly squeezed juices and a hot food selection, nearly all produced nearby. The venue becomes the gourmet restaurant in the evening.
The library bar – replete with shelves of books along the walls – had masculine leather chairs and looked like a cosy place to nurse a drink with a good book.
We had a chance to spend a while outside in the gardens, under a shady large tree on the paved terrace. There is a small heated pool nearby – open in the summer months – with about 10 sunbeds and deckchairs.
I found the staff overwhelmingly friendly and nothing was too much trouble even for this demanding guest.
The city itself is on the doorstep and there is a great deal to see. When the majority of the crowds have gone in the late afternoon, it’s a great place to explore, with numerous restaurants to suit all pockets.
Rooms
Hotel de la Cité offers approximately 60 rooms and suites housed within a neo‑Gothic former episcopal palace. Accommodation blends medieval character with contemporary comfort, featuring stone walls, period furnishings and elegant fabrics. Many rooms overlook the fortified ramparts, inner gardens or the rolling Languedoc countryside.
Food and Drink
La Barbacane is the hotel’s Michelin‑starred fine dining restaurant, offering refined French cuisine inspired by regional Occitan flavours. The dining room provides panoramic views over the lower town and surrounding landscape, creating a formal yet atmospheric setting.
Le Donjon brasserie serves relaxed seasonal cuisine in a more informal environment, while Bar Bibliothèque offers a quiet lounge for aperitifs, cocktails and afternoon refreshments amid historic interiors.
Wellness
The hotel features a boutique wellness area with treatment rooms offering massages and beauty therapies. An outdoor swimming pool set within the gardens provides additional relaxation during warmer months, complementing the tranquil atmosphere of the citadel.
Facilities
- Michelin‑starred fine dining restaurant
- Brasserie and lounge bar
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Private gardens within the citadel walls
- Boutique spa and wellness treatments
- Meeting and private event spaces
- Concierge services
- Free Wi‑Fi
Location
Hotel de la Cité is located inside the UNESCO‑listed medieval fortress of Carcassonne. The Château Comtal, Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus and the cobbled streets of the citadel are steps away, while the modern town and Canal du Midi lie just beyond the city walls.
Getting there
Address: Place Auguste Pierre Pont, 11000 Carcassonne, France
Arriving by car: It is not possible to get directly to the hotel by car – there is a car park on the nearby Chemin des Anglais. The hotel will collect you from this car park. Alternatively, you can pre-arrange valet parking with the hotel in their secure compound
Arriving by air: Carcassonne Airport– Located 9 miles (8 km) 12 minutes by car
More information
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* Note: The hotel review was last updated in early 2026. Please let us know if you spot any factual errors.