Visit Carcassonne Castle in winter

Carcassonne stands tall on a rugged rocky hilltop, with uneven and towering battlements, solid walls, and sturdy bastions. Carcassonne Castle, the largest medieval fortress in Europe, has endured over two thousand years of history. It fits most people's perfect imagination of a medieval castle and is an impressive sight. The fortified town is surrounded by two sets of battlements and several stone towers, topped with unique 'witch hat' roofs. The main gate leads to a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys and courtyards inside the castle, which are now mainly lined with shops and restaurants. To walk along the walls, you must purchase a ticket (9.5 euros) to enter the Count's Castle. The Carcassonne Tourist Office operates regular 1.25-hour old town walking tours (adult/child 6/5 euros), but unfortunately, it was the off-season in winter, and I couldn't enter the main castle. An additional surprise was the fantastic Michelin meal I had in the old town, without having to wait or queue.