The count's castle, built in the 12th century by the Viscounts of Carcassonne, the Trencavels, has been transformed so much that it is difficult to see what the original feudal lord's castle may have looked like, though it's still an important part of the city's history.
Because this area of France was claimed at various times by Visigoths, Romans, Saracens, Franks, and others, a promenade through the lists (the area between the two city walls) provides visitors with great examples of military architecture over the past two milleniums or so.
The Basilica of Saint-Nazare, called the Jewel of the old city, was a Romanesque cathedral built in 1096 and completed before 1130. All that remains of the original structure is a barrel-vaulted nave supported by two side aisles with semi-circular vaults, though several other artifacts of interest are located here.
A variety of guided tours are available; check with the tourist office for more information.
Hotels
I won't list them all, but they run from sans etoiles (no stars) to four-star. There's also an Auberge de Jeunesse (youth hostel), but I can't vouch for it. It was cheaper for me to stay at a one-star with a roommate, which cost about $30 a night last year in a happily modern room near the train station.
Restaurants
You won't go hungry. As with the hotels, there are one- to four-star-rated restaurants here as well as many "unclassified" dining spots. And Carcassonne isn't exactly untraveled: A McDonald's outpost is not far from the train station.
What's the UNESCO World Heritage List?
UNESCO's World Heritage list (currently) includes 582 properties around the world which are judged to have value and significance for their beauty, culture and history of the world's heritage, among other criteria. Once named to the list, they are considered worthy of preservation and protection from UNESCO. The list includes monuments, natural areas, and buildings or groups of buildings, and the list comprises as widely varied as Carcassonne, the Czech Republic's Kutna Hora, the Great Wall of China, and America's Yosemite National Park. Find out more information online here.
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