Attraction · Carcassonne · Updated on 1 November 2026.

Basilique Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne

Basilique Saint-Nazaire is an attraction in Carcassonne, Aude. This place has an audio tour of about 2 minutes, in English or Dutch. 7 of the 38 well-known points of interest nearby are within 1 km. Within 180 m you'll find a bench, a public toilet and a water point.

Directions in Google Maps

Basilique Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne, photo 2

Basilique Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne, photo 3

The story

Wikipedia ↗

Audio tour · Basilique Saint-Nazaire

2:29

You're standing at the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, right on the highest point of the Cité of Carcassonne. Until the early nineteenth century, this was the town's cathedral. Pilgrims passed by too, because Carcassonne sat on the Via Tolosana, a branch of the Way of Saint James to Santiago de Compostela.

Read and hear the whole story in the Outdoor Pitstop app: check in at this place and it is yours (with Pro; new users are Pro for the first 4 weeks).

Opening hours and admission

Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-11:45, 13:45-18:00; Su 09:00-10:45,14:00-18:00
Admission: Free
Wheelchair: Not accessible

Source: OpenStreetMap and Wikidata.

Photos

10 photos from Wikimedia Commons. In the app you add your own photo when you are there.

1 / 10

Photo: Diego Delso · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons

Basilique Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne: Catholic church in the Cité

The Basilique Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne is a Catholic church on the highest point of the Cité de Carcassonne. It was once the city's cathedral. Pilgrims also passed through, because Carcassonne lay on the Via Tolosana, a route to Santiago de Compostela. Inside, you will find a stained-glass window from 1280, one of the oldest of its kind. The church is in the Cité de Carcassonne, in the department of Aude. Le Musée de l'École lies at 83 metres, the rest of the Cité at 145 metres, and Château Comtal at 218 metres.

What you can see at Basilique Saint-Nazaire

From the outside you can see what is really 2 churches in one. The low part is the oldest. Behind it rises a tall choir, supported by sturdy buttresses. The west wall looks more like a fortress wall than a church façade. On the north side is the main entrance: a portal with 5 round arches above 2 doors. Also look up at the gargoyles. Inside, the nave is quite dark. The columns alternate between round and square. Walk on to the choir, because there it suddenly becomes light. The central window has 16 medallions showing scenes from the life of Jezus. You can also see 2 rose windows. Look out for the bishop's tomb, where angels carry a small soul up to heaven, and the medieval stone with a siege scene. The organ is one of the oldest in the south of the country.

The history of the Basilique Saint-Nazaire

In June 1096, the bishop visited Carcassonne and blessed the stones for the building work. A church with a plain nave stood there soon after. After Carcassonne came under the crown, the eastern section was built between 1269 and 1330. Space was tight: the public road lay just 2.5 metres away, so there was no room for an ambulatory around the choir. Later, the architect Viollet-le-Duc thoroughly restored the west façade, the north portal and a few gargoyles. In 1898, the church was elevated to a basilica.

Opening hours and free entry at Basilique Saint-Nazaire

The opening hours of the Basilique Saint-Nazaire, according to OpenStreetMap, are as follows. From Monday to Saturday, the church is open from 09:00 to 11:45 and from 13:45 to 18:00. On Sunday, you can go inside from 09:00 to 10:45 and from 14:00 to 18:00. The church is therefore closed at lunchtime. On Sunday, the break is longer than on other days, so do not plan your visit around lunch. Entry is free, so you do not need to buy a ticket. If you are cycling or walking past the church, you can easily step inside whenever the doors are open.

Benches, toilets and drinking water nearby

There are plenty of benches near the Basilique Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne. The closest one is 20 metres away, at Place Auguste-Pierre Pont, and there are 51 benches within 500 metres. The nearest public toilet is 41 metres away, at Place Saint-Nazaire, and it is free to use. Within 500 metres there are 5 public toilets in total. For drinking water, the nearest tap is a water point 204 metres from the basilica. There are 7 water points within 500 metres, so you can easily top up your bottle along the way.

Walks around the Basilique Saint-Nazaire

You won't have to walk far to see more after your visit. La Grand Puit is an attraction 265 metres away. At 461 metres you'll find the Ancien hôtel de Pelletier, also an attraction. The Pont-Vieux is 610 metres away and is the furthest of these spots. There is an audio story about the Cité de Carcassonne. There is also a 2-minute audio story about the basilica itself. You can listen to it on the spot in the Outdoor Pitstop app while you stand by the church.

Facilities near Basilique Saint-Nazaire

The nearest pitstop of each kind within 1 km, as the crow flies. No bike pump or honesty box within 1 km.

Well-known points of interest nearby

38 well-known points of interest nearby, those with an audio tour first. 7 of the 38 well-known points of interest nearby are within 1 km.

AttractionAudio story · 2 min

Cité de Carcassonne · 140 m

Photo: Jondu11 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0View the photo on Wikimedia Commons

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Frequently asked questions

What are the opening hours of the Basilique Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne?

From Monday to Saturday, the basilica is open from 09:00 to 11:45 and from 13:45 to 18:00. On Sunday, it is open from 09:00 to 10:45 and from 14:00 to 18:00.

Do you have to pay to visit the basilique saint-nazaire in Carcassonne?

No, entry to the Basilique Saint-Nazaire is free.

Is there a toilet near the basilique saint-nazaire?

Yes, the nearest public toilet is 41 metres from the basilica, at Place Saint-Nazaire, and it is free to use. There are 5 public toilets within 500 metres.

Where can you fill up with drinking water near the basilique saint-nazaire in Carcassonne?

The nearest water point is 204 metres from the basilica. There are 7 water points within 500 metres.

Are there benches near the basilique saint-nazaire photos spot?

Yes, the nearest bench is 20 metres from the basilica, at Place Auguste-Pierre Pont. There are 51 benches within 500 metres.

When was the Basilique Saint-Nazaire in Carcassonne built?

The Basilique Saint-Nazaire dates from 1120. The eastern part was built between 1269 and 1330, and in 1898 Leo XIII made it a basilica.