Carcassonne has everything you need as a base for a long stay in France - great transport links, good shops, excellent restaurants and of course the most magnificent castle in France. The countryside around the Southern French town of Carcassonne, has proved to be a very popular place finding a long term rental property in the last couple of years. Here is a selection of 10 houses currently available for rent in the Carcassonne area of Southern France during 2024. 

The picturesque town of Carcassonne is located in the Aude department in Southern France. It lies in between the Mediterranean coast, the city of Toulouse and the Pyrenees Mountains to the south. The landscape around Carcassonne is quite varied. The Black Mountains are situated above Carcassonne and here you will find some lovely rural villages like Villardonnel, Saissac and Siran.

On the Eastern side of Carcassonne the Canal du Midi flows through the Minervois wine region towards the town of Narbonne and the beaches of the Mediterranean. The countryside is mainly flat and dominated by vineyards.

On the Western side of Carcassonne, in the direction of Toulouse, the vineyards give way to more arable crops, including acres of sunflower fields. Here you will find some nice rural towns like Revel, Bram and Castelnaudary (home of the famous Cassoulet).

The area south of Carcassonne slowly rises up to meet the Pyrenees. Here you will find some local market towns like Limoux, Quillan and the gorgeous town of Mirepoix.

I think if I was looking living in and around Carcassonne, France, I would choose a location either to the North or to the East. I find the countryside around Revel and Castelnaudary to be a bit boring and apart from Fanjeaux and Mirepoix, the villages in the south don't really appeal. Our son went to University in Toulouse and we always joked with him that as soon as we reach Carcassonne, the climate changes. You leave behind the sunshine and warmth of the Mediterranean and the skies become grey and over-cast. I don't have the weather statistics to hand, but I would imagine that there is more rainfall in the Western part of the Aude and less sunny days.

Living in Carcassonne France

Carcassonne is definitely a good choice if you are looking to live in Southern France. But I would perhaps concentrate on areas around the route of the Canal du Midi in the East or around Cuxac-Cabardes in the North. There are some nice areas to live in Carcassonne itself, especially in parts of the old town just below the castle.

Carcassonne has a population of around 48,000 people and there are archaeological remains dating back to before the Roman times. The area around Carcassonne was an important centre of the Cathars (a religious movement similar to the Quakers). The Cathars were virtually wiped out during a viscous 13th Century crusade ordered by the Pope. There are many Cathar ruins in the area including the castles at Quéribus and Peyrepertuse. But my favourite place to visit is the preserved Cathar village of Minerve to the East of Carcassonne.

Carcassonne itself suffered greatly during the Cathar crusade, as the castle was put under siege. Eventually the city surrendered and over 4,000 inhabitants were expelled from the town. The current castle at Carcassonne is France's second most-visited historical monument and it is the largest walled city in Europe. Inside the impressive walls of the castle, you will find a fully functioning town with hotels, restaurants, amphitheatre and shops. It is absolutely enormous and you get some commanding views from the ramparts over the town of Carcassonne and the surrounding countryside. 

Living in Carcassonne South France: restaurants 

Carcassonne's restaurant scene is absolutely buzzing at the moment. In recent years there has been a flurry of interesting new restaurants opening in Carcassonne. There are now two Michelin star restaurants in Carcassonne (Le Table de Franck Putelat and La Barbacane), as well as 7 other restaurants that have entries in the Michelin guide. So if you are visiting Carcassonne now, you have a good choice of places to eat at. But you don't just have to head to Michelin restaurants to find a good meal in Carcassonne.

The cuisine in Carcassonne and the Aude region leans heavily on authentic local produce. Carcassonne is reputed to be the best place to eat the famous Languedoc dish of Cassoulet. Cassoulet is a hearty stew made from white beans, duck and sausage is a proud feature of many restaurants. But you will also find a wide range of fish dishes (river trout especially) and a good use of seasonal organic vegetables.

I would certainly suggest that hunt out the funky Agape restaurant in the centre of Carcassonne, the fashionable La Table du Vatican and the L'Escargot restaurant in the centre of the medieval cité, inside the castle walls. 

Living in Carcassonne: music & arts festival

Carcassonne festival is by all accounts the 10th largest festival in France, both in terms of number of spectators (over 200,000 over the month long programme) and by the number of events (over 120 concerts, theatre productions, dance events, plus the medieval jousting and the medieval faire). Carcassonne Festival was first created back in 1957. The brain-child of the French Actor and Director, Jean Deschamps, the festival originally was more of a theatre, Opera and film event, held in the amphitheatre. It later expanded to include popular musical acts, Comedy and Choral Music and Classical Music, as well as a large Medieval faire featuring jousting events and battle re-enactments.

The festival takes place throughout July, with nightly performances in the castle's amphitheatre and venues throughout the town. The 67th edition of the Carcassonne Festival in South France will be held in 2024 between 28 June to 31 July 2024. The 2024 line up for the Carcassonne festival is still being finalised, but the confirmed acts so far include Sting, Mika, Christophe Maé, Toto, Scorpions and Status Quo with The Stranglers.

Living in Carcassonne France: Shopping

You will find a good range of shops in Carcassonne, from high street stores to little boutiques. There are a couple of small shopping malls on the outskirts of Carcassonne - La Galerie next to the Geant Hypermarket out towards the airport and Centre commercial Rocadest, which is out past the castle. In the centre of Carcassonne, the best shopping areas are located in Bastide Saint-Louis (the 'new town' of Carcassonne below the castle). In particular, head for Rue de Verdun and Rue Georges Clémenceau, where you will everything from small boutiques, cosmetic and perfume stores, shoe shops, trendy clothes shops, second-hand bookshops, etc.

In terms of markets, on Boulevard Barbès, there is a market selling new and second hand clothes and on Place Carnot there is a popular food and general goods market. The market is held at Place Carnot every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday morning. The Saturday morning market attracts a lot of Organic food producers.

Every Saturday there is a large market held at Boulevard Commandant Roumens, which has a range of colourful stalls offering you everything from organic produce, to fruit and vegetables, cheese, local sausages and also a range of clothes of all kinds.

Finally, there is also a beautiful covered market in Carcassonne called Les Halles Prosper Montagné. Parts of the market date back to the 17th century. The market was named in honour of a local Chef, Propser Montagné, who rose to prominence in France, by writing the first Larousse Gastronomic Dictionary in 1938, the most famous encyclopaedia of French dishes and cooking techniques. The market is open every morning, 5 days a week from Tuesday to Saturday. The market sells a range of fresh  and features a number of butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers and cheesemongers, etc.

Living in France: Carcassonne weather

Lac de la Cavayère, Carcassonne France

The weather in Carcassonne, France, is generally pretty good. It is usually a couple of degrees cooler in Carcassonne than on the Mediterranean coast and the summers are not as humid as you will get in Toulouse. The area east of Carcassonne is still a Mediterranean climate. Even on very hot days in the summer, you will usually have a cooling breeze. From October to April, it can be pretty windy from Carcassonne down to Narbonne (you just have to see the number of wind turnbines in between Narbonne and Carcassonne)

The summer in Carcassonne is long and hot. From mid-June to mid-September, the average daily high temperature is above 25°C (76°F). July is usually the hottest month in Carcassonne with an average daily temperature of 28°C (83°F) and there is usually a short period where the daytime temperature nudges 35°C (98°F). The hot weather continues into August before starting to drop down in September (to around 20°C/68°C).

The winter in Carcassonne is relatively short, running from mid-November to early March. The average daily temperature is around 10°C (50°F). January is the coldest and wettest month of the year in Carcassonne, with an average daily temperature of 6°C (43°F) and an average of over 10 days of rain per month bringing 70mm of rain.

The best time to be in Carcassonne is in the Spring (April to June) and the Autumn (October to mid-November). During these seasons you will normally have beautiful blue skies and average daily temperatures of 17-22°C (63-72°F).

Cheap flights to Carcassonne airport 2024

Carcassonne airport has recently undergone a major facelift, with a brand new frontage to the airport entrance and upgrades to the passenger facilities. The renovations cost €11 million euros and took 3 years to complete. It is still a very small airport, with just four departure lounges (previously there were just 2 lounges) and a team of staff who still seem to get taken by surprise when a plane lands.

During 2023, Carcassonne airport handled 340,000 passengers, which was an increase of 20% on 2022. The passenger numbers are expected to increase further during 2024. Carcassonne airport actually runs flights to 5 different countries, including UK, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal and Morocco. The main operator remains Ryanair, although there are rumours that additional routes from different airlines may begin to appear in 2025. Some routes only operate during the high season, others are all year around:

• Bournemouth airport, UK (Ryanair) - Wednesday & Saturday flights (1 May to 31 October 2024)
• Porto airport, Portugal (Ryanair) - Tuesday & Sunday flights  (1 April to 31 October 2024)
• Tangier airport, Morocco (Ryanair) - Wednesday and Sunday flights (1 May to 31 October 2024)
• London Stansted, UK (Ryanair) - Friday & Sunday flights (All year); Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday flights (1 April to 31 October 2024)
• Charleroi airport, Belgium (Ryanair) - Monday & Friday flights (All year); Wednesday & Thursday flights (1 April to 31 October 2024)
• Dublin airport, Ireland (Ryanair) - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday flights (1 April to 31 October 2024)
• East Midlands airport, UK (Ryanair) - Wednesday & Saturday flights (1 May to 31 October 2024)
• Cork airport, Ireland (Ryanair) - Monday & Friday flights  (1 May to 31 October 2024)
• Manchester airport, UK (Ryanair) - Monday flights (All year); Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday flights (1 April to 31 October 2024); Saturday flights (Winter only)

This is the schedule of flights to Carcassonne airport in South France during 2024:

Carcassonne has excellent transport links. There is a regular bus service from Carcassonne airport into the city. The bus times are coordinated with the flight arrivals and departures. There is also a mainline train station in the centre of Carcassonne, where you can pick up train services to both Narbonne and Toulouse. There are connecting TGV trains to Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille and Barcelona. The A61 motorway runs right past the town and the airport and connects Narbonne in the east with Toulouse and Bordeaux in the west. 

Long term rentals Carcassonne France 2024-25

We have a good range of different properties to rent long term in the Carcassonne area. Here we showcase 10 Carcassonne houses to show you what is currently available to rent and the range of prices you will expect to pay per month. As a rough guide, you should budget for:

• 1 bedroom property - €600 per month + bills
• 2 bedroom house - €750 per month + bills
• 3 bedroom property - €900 per month + bills
• 4 bedroom property - €1,000 per month + bills

These prices are based on a rental period of 6 months. If you are looking at a shorter rental period and/or if this coincides with the popular months of May, June and September, then the rental prices could increase by 15-20% per month. For rentals over the high season months of July and August, most properties in and around Carcassonne can earn similar amounts per week from Airbnb type rentals, that they normally receive per month in the off season. So the Owners are unlikely to want to lose that income. However, there are hassle factors and costs involved with the constant changeovers. So it is a process of negotiation. For sure, if you just want to spend 3 months over the summer around Carcassonne, then it is going to cost you a lot of money, but if you are looking at a longer rental period of up to 12 months then the rates will be more reasonable.

The monthly utility bills are always difficult to estimate, especially with the recent energy problems in Europe, but as a guide you should probably budget for around 15-17% of the monthly rental price.

If any of these long term rental houses are of interest to you, further details can be obtained on the property pages. Please check the availability calendars for your dates. We try and keep the availability calendars as up to date as possible and some houses will not be available over the summer period. If you have any particular requirements, then you can always contact us directly and we can make some recommendations. Our contact details are provided at the bottom of the page

1. Camon - cottage for long term rent near Mirepoix South France (Ref: 2146)

If you are looking for total peace and quiet in a beautiful corner of France, then this cottage for long term rent in Camon is absolutely ideal. Camon is one of the most picturesque villages in France and the stunning small town of Mirepoix is just up the road (both places are on the official list of the 160 'Most beautiful villages in France').

This 2 bed stone cottage for long term rent is located close to Mirepoix, in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Southern France. The cottage is a converted barn located on the outskirts of the village of Camon, one of the most beautiful villages in France. In the village there are 2 restaurants (one of which also doubles as a bakery and local cafe-bar). The local countryside is very picturesque - ideal for walkers and cyclists.

Inside, the cottage features high ceilings with exposed beams and original stone walls. The cottage also comes with parking, Wi-Fi and a large wood burner. Grazing land is also available for guests with horses (and stables can be found nearby).

This cottage is available for long term rentals from €750 per month + bills. Pets may be accepted through prior agreement.

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2. Domaine de Badens long term lets France pet friendly with pool (Ref: 1498)

Domaine de Badens is a beautiful pet friendly long term lets property set amongst 5 hectares of land on the edge of the village of Cenne Monestiés in the South of France. The property is nestled in a forest of mature oak and pine trees, with the Lampy river flowing nearby. This long term lets property in France is very pet friendly - their are 4 resident cats and the owners are happy to welcome well-behaved dogs. The property comes with:

• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Exposed beams and stonework
• Well equipped kitchen
• Swimming pool
• Home office/snug
• WiFi and Satellite TV 

The property is available for long term lets from October  to June for a monthly price of €700 per month + bills (€850pcm all inclusive). Minimum stay 3 months. The house is not available mid-June to mid-September.

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3. Marsanne long term rental near Carcassonne, France (Ref: 1746)

Marsanne long term rental property is located in a beautiful corner of South France, in between Carcassonne and the Pyrenees. The property is located on Domaine de La Flotte, a country estate situated on a wooded hillside where you can enjoy the unspoilt nature and the beautiful views of the Pyrenees mountains in the distance. If you are looking for a relaxing and peaceful long term stay in South France, then this property is a great choice. Carcassonne is 30 mins to the North and the Ski resorts in the Pyrenees are 1 hour to the South. This rental property near Carcassonne comes with:

• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Well-equipped kitchen + washing machine
• Private parking
• WiFi internet
• Large grounds
• 5 mins to local town of Chalabre
• Beautiful walking country

The property is available for monthly rentals between October to May from €700 per month + bills. Minimum stay 3 months.

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4. Siran house to rent in France long term, sleeps 4 (Ref: 1632)

Siran is located in the heart of the Minervois wine region, producing some of the best wines in Southern France. The house is located on a quiet street in the medieval heart of Siran, a beautiful village close to Carcassonne. This well-equipped village has a bar, bistro restaurant, school, shop and library. The property comes with a beautiful cottage garden, 2 bedrooms, large lounge and kitchen-diner. The house comes with:

• 2 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Well-equipped kitchen
• Enclosed garden
• Available for 3-12 month rentals
• Good Wi-Fi connection and satellite TV

This lovely house in the Siran, France, is available for long term rentals from 6-12 months. The monthly rental price starts at €650 per month + bills.

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5. Corbieres house for long term rentals in France sleeps 6 (Ref: 1788)

A 3 bed house for winter rentals in the Corbieres region of Southern France. The house comes with lovely views over open countryside, a garden and a terrace. The house has Wi-Fi internet, a well-equipped kitchen and central heating. This is an ideal get-away-from-it-all house to rent in Southern France. With the bright sunny days, mild climate and beautiful scenery surrounding you, this house is perfect for winter rentals. Suitable for a couple or a small family. This house in the Corbieres comes with:

• 3 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Walking distance to shop and cafe-bar
• Enclosed garden
• Stunning views
• Wi-Fi and satellite TV
• Private parking

This well-equipped house in the Corbieres, France, is available for long term rentals from 3-6 months between October to May. The monthly rental price starts at €800 pcm + bills.

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6. Carcassonne cottage to rent in France long term (Ref: 1117)

This cottage to rent in France long term is a beautiful refurbished 2 bedroom Cottage opposite the Canal du Midi in the centre of the city. The main railway station is 5 minutes walk and there are plenty of local restaurants, shops and services nearby. Carcassonne airport is just a short taxi ride. The cottage has its own private terrace and you can also sit on the canal bank with a baguette and a bottle of wine and watch the barges and little ducks go by.

The key features of the house include:

• Private terrace
• 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• Fully fitted kitchen
• Walking distance into Carcassonne town centre

This 2 bedroom property can be rented between September to June from €900 per month + bills. The house comes with Wi-Fi and is heated via electric radiators. The Owner will accept pets through prior agreement (limited to 2 small/medium size dogs).

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7. Grenache - house for long term rentals Pyrenees, France (Ref: 1747)

If you are looking for a relaxing long stay in the South of France, then this French long term rental property at Domaine de la Flotte is perfect. The surrounding countryside offers you all the peace and quiet that you could need - horse-riding, mountain-biking, bird watching, walking and swimming in the nearby lakes are all available for the active. The views and sunsets will relax you as you sip a glass of wine on the terrace in the evening. This really is an ideal spot to enjoy a long stay in the South of France.

Grenache house for long term rentals is located in a beautiful part of South France, 30 mins south of Carcassonne. The house is located on a country estate situated on a wooded hillside where you can enjoy the unspoilt nature and the beautiful views of the Pyrenees mountains in the distance. The property offer splendid peace and tranquillity. This long term rental property comes with:

• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Private terrace
• Air conditioning (reversible)
• Wi-Fi and satellite TV

This property is available for long term rentals between October to May from €700 per month + bills.

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8. Riverside house for rent in Esperaza South France Ref: 2058

This quaint 2 bedroom house for rent in the beautiful village of Esperaza in Southern France, comes with 2 south-facing terraces where you can terrace where you can enjoy meals or sit quietly listening to the river flowing below. Esperaza is located close to the ancient Cathar monuments and the mysterious village of Rennes le Chateau where Dan Browne collected material for his book The da Vinci Code.

• 2 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• 2 Private terraces
• Free parking near the house
• Utility room with washing machine
• Lounge and dining room
• Easy walking distance to shops, bars, restaurants and the weekly market

The house is available for rent between October to June from €750 per month + bills.

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9. Farmhouse for long term rentals, Carcassonne, South France (Ref: 1675)

This beautifully renovated farmhouse for long term rentals in South France is located close Carcassonne and comes with 3 bedrooms, a spacious living room and a large private swimming pool.

The property has stunning views of the medieval village of Fanjeaux, which is located in between Carcassonne and Mirepoix. The Farmhouse is equipped to a high standard and is very bright and airy inside. The Farmhouse provides total peace and quiet, yet is only a 2 minute drive to the village where you will find an excellent boulangerie/patisserie, cafe/tabac, an excellent restaurant and a shop. This long term rental property sleeps 6 people in comfort. The farmhouse comes with :

• 3 bedrooms
• 3 bathrooms
• Private parking for 3-4 cars
• Wi-Fi and flat screen TV
• Large garden
• Central heating and fireplace 
• Table tennis & swing
• Stunning countryside views

This farmhouse near Carcassonne, France, is available for 3-6 month rentals between mid-October and April from €1200 pcm + bills. Higher prices may apply over the summer season.

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10. Carcassonne apartment for long term rentals South France Ref: 1744

A 2 bedroom apartment in the centre of Carcassonne, France for long term rentals. The historic town of Carcassonne in South France, contains the largest fortified town in Europe and this is now an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Carcassonne also has an international airport, Railway station and provides easy access to the A61 motorway, which runs from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean.

The apartment is located in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of the town centre, within walking distance of all sights. This is an ideal location for a long stay in France.

The apartment contains:

• 2 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Shared pool
• Well-equipped kitchen
• Secure parking
• Lounge and dining room
• Terrace

Available for long term rentals between October and May from €750 per month + bills.

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Where to next . . . ?

If you are interested in living in Southern France during 2024, hopefully this article has provided you with some good ideas about the range of houses available for long term rent near Carcassonne. If you would like to continue your for long term rental properties currently available in South France, you will find the following links useful:

If you would like some more detailed information about renting long term in France, then just drop us a quick message and we will come straight back to you. I wish you a wonderful stay in the South of France. Contact Iain by Email. If you found this article of interest, please share it with others using the Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest buttons below.