First off, getting there. The best way to get to Carcassone from the United States is to fly to Dublin and take a Ryan Air flight direct to Carcassonne.

I was blessed that a friend of mine worked nights @ Le Bar de Vin inside the walled city. My first experience in the city happened at 330 in the morning. I was one of maybe 10 people I saw walking the streets that early morning. It made for a unique experience no crowds, no loud noise. Completely different then the experience on Bastille day. Which is the Day to Visit. The fireworks display is unlike anything you will ever witness. Absolutely Spectacular. The more amazing part is how a town of 40,000 people holds 750,000 people.