Fairytale Castle in Carcassonne, France

I’ve been coming to this magical fortified city ever since I was a young girl until now in my mid twenties. Traveling around the world, you see many great unforgettable sites, however there is something truly one of a kind about this medieval rustic city. Carcassonne is severely underrated for tourism in my opinion! Yet, this is part of what keeps it a bit of a hidden gem for American/overseas tourists hoping to explore more of France besides Paris. Tips 1. Get there early or late to avoid crowds! The medieval city is in side the modern city of Carcassonne and separated by a moat. Make sure to arrive with enough time to see all you want to see with little foot traffic. 2. Splurge and explore the castle within the city on the self guided tour. The views are incredible and the history facts are truly captivating. One of the best castle tours I’ve been on in Europe! 3. EAT CASSOULET! A unique southern French dish of confit duck, sausage and beans in a hearty stew is a must have especially in Carcassonne. 4. Make sure to see the city engulfed in lights from outside the medieval hub at night! #carcassonne #southernfrance #france