Porte Narbonnaise
On Gingerguide's self-guided Carcassonne audio tour, Porte Narbonnaise is a stop worth about ~20 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Carcassonne Carcassonne guide
About Porte Narbonnaise
The Cité's grand eastern gate, guarded by two beaked towers, a drawbridge and a barbican; built around 1280 and marked by a copy of the legendary Dame Carcas bust.
The Porte Narbonnaise is the monumental main gate on the east side of the Cité, facing toward Narbonne and serving as the principal entrance for visitors. Built as part of the thirteenth-century royal defences, dated to around 1280 under Philip III the Bold, it is flanked by two spur-shaped towers and was defended by a drawbridge, portcullises and a barbican across the ditch. It is one of only two great gates through the double walls, opposite the Porte d'Aude to the west.
A stone bust known as Dame Carcas stands beside the gate, commemorating the legendary defender; the outdoor bust is a copy, while the original is kept within the Cité. The gate's towers were among the first structures restored by Viollet-le-Duc after work began in 1853. As the emblematic entrance to the fortified city inscribed by UNESCO in 1997, it is also the busiest, with a tourist office just inside the walls.
Did you know? Two huge spur-shaped towers, their prows angled to deflect rams and missiles, front the gate; the entrance was sealed behind a drawbridge, a barbican and portcullises across the ditch.
How much time do you need at Porte Narbonnaise?
Around ~20 min works well for Porte Narbonnaise — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Porte Narbonnaise?
Yes — Porte Narbonnaise made the cut as one of 13 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Carcassonne. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Carcassonne
Day 1 of the Carcassonne in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Porte Narbonnaise
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