Car Rental - Carcassonne

 

Car rental in Carcassonne lets you travel in style and comfort, for vacations, business and road trips.

Rent a car in Carcassonne and get ready to discover one of France’s most picturesque and iconic locations. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fortified town sits on a hilltop in the southern Languedoc area. It’s built around a historic citadel, La Cité.

Expect grand city gates, formidable ramparts and narrow streets lined with quaint eateries. Car rental helps you to see more of Carcassonne’s pleasures and treasures.

You’ll find our Carcassonne car rental office at the airport, just a 10-minute drive from the old city. Once you’ve picked up your rental car, you can head straight to Carcassonne or spend some time exploring the surrounding areas of Narbonne, Toulouse and Perpignan.

In our Carcassonne rental car fleet, you’ll find the ideal vehicle for every kind of adventure. Choose sleek cabriolets to hit the road in style, or a practical SUV for family vacations.

Reserve Carcassonne car rental today to find yourself immersed in a perfectly preserved historic city.

Carcassonne Locations

A Quick Guide to Carcassonne

View of medieval city of Carcassonne

Cité de Carcassonne

Carcassonne, 11000

The medieval city is Carcassonne’s main draw. With roots stretching as far back as the 5th century BCE, the city was faithfully restored at the end of the 19th century and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The romantic castles and ramparts tell the city’s rich history and make for an impressive photo from every angle.

Church of Saints Nazaire and Celse

Church of Saints Nazaire and Celse

La Cité, Pl. Saint-Nazaire, 11000 France

This minor basilica in the old town dates back to the 1100s and is a remarkable example of Gothic-Romanesque architecture. Don’t miss the striking stained-glass windows or the characterful sculptures inside. Find parking for your rental car on Carcassonne’s Chem des Ourtets.

Lac de la Cavayère

Lac de la Cavayère

Carcassonne, 11000

Get your fresh air fix at this picturesque lake, just a stone’s throw from the old city. Also known as Carcassonne Plage, this is the ideal spot for a refreshing dip. Take a boat out on to the water and spend your afternoon relaxing on the banks and looking out for local wildlife. When you rent a car in Carcassonne, it’s easy to experience more.

Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne – Mgallery

Pl. Auguste Pierre Pont, 11000 France

This refined hotel enjoys a spot within Carcassonne’s medieval citadel itself. You can enjoy unparalleled views from the hotel restaurant, La Barbacane, where Michelin-starred chef Jérôme Ryon serves up dishes celebrating local produce. Don’t miss the spa or open-air swimming pool, either. Nearby private parking is available for a fee and includes EV charging for electric rental cars.

Hotel Montmorency “Cité Médiévale de Carcassonne”

2 Rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 11000 France

This warm and welcoming hotel is much-loved for its proximity to Carcassonne’s old town, and its chic and cozy rooms. The sister hotel is located just across the street, which also offers a scenic swimming pool and full-service spa for guests. When you rent a car, you can cross the river to downtown Carcassonne in just five minutes.

Tribe Carcassonne

2 Rue des 3 Couronnes, 11000 France

Laidback and stylish, the Tribe hotel is a modern choice for your stay in Carcassonne. Enjoy the scenic location near Pont Vieux in the Bastide Saint Louis historic district, as well as an on-site coffee shop, rooftop lounge and ultra-comfortable rooms with balconies. There’s a hotel-owned parking garage for your rental car too.

Le Jardin en Ville

5 Rue des Framboisiers, 11000 France

When you dine at Le Jardin en Ville, you can choose to eat al fresco on the airy terrace or take a seat in the eclectic warehouse. Dishes range from small plates of tapas – made with vegetables grown in the restaurant’s own garden – to indulgent pastries and cakes. 

Restaurant La Marquière

13 Rue Saint-Jean, 11000 France

Discover the very best of regional French cuisine at this distinguished spot near the center of Carcassonne. Time-honored cooking techniques elevate simple ingredients – think monkfish bourride (a hearty Languedoc stew) served with sweet, crushed tomatoes and garlic toast. Swing by for lunch in your rental car – it’s a great place to unwind while sightseeing.

L’escargot

7 Rue Viollet le Duc, 11000 France

This unassuming old-world eatery is celebrated as one of the best places in Carcassonne to try a French delicacy: snails. In rustic surroundings, you can try six snails in a secret butter recipe. Then, for your main, grilled squid or beef. By rental car, you can get here from the airport in just 13 minutes.

Driving In and Around Carcassonne

  • EFFIA Gare de Carcassonne (11000) is located less than two minutes from Carcassonne Station and is open 24/7. With car rental, you can hop out here to see the city’s beloved port and canal.
  • Parking Souterrain Gambetta (11000) is an underground parking garage open seven days a week, also offering a monthly rate. Rent a car and park here for easy access to Carcassonne’s Musee des Beaux-Arts.
  • Parking du Boulevard Marcou (11000) offers convenient parking near the center of Carcassonne. It’s great for shopping, sightseeing or business trips.

 

  • Autoroute 61 (A61) is one of the main highways through Carcassonne, connecting the city to Narbonne in the east and Toulouse in the west. When you rent a car, you can use it to meander between charming Occitanie communes.
  • D118 is a county road, linking Carcassonne to destinations like Pieusse and Limoux in the south by rental car. You can also use it to reach Mazamet in the north.
  • D119 enters Carcassonne from the west, close to the main airport. Follow this road to discover locations such as Montréal and Mirepoix.

 

How to Get From Carcassonne to Toulouse

It takes around one hour and 15 minutes to drive the 57 miles from our Carcassonne car rental pick-up lot to Toulouse.

  1. Leave the car rental parking lot at Carcassonne Airport via the D119.
  2. Use the right lane to merge on to the D6161, then keep right and follow signs to join the A61.
  3. Continue on the A61 for 48 miles, then keep left to join the A620.
  4. Take Exit 21 to follow Boulevard de la Méditerranée into Toulouse.

 

How to Get From Carcassonne to Narbonne

Heading on a road trip through the French countryside? Narbonne is just a 50-minute drive from our car rental center at Carcassonne. Just head east on the A61, then take the E15/E80/A9 exit and follow signs into the town center.