Luxury Property For Sale in Carcassonne​

Set in Southern France, Carcassonne is in the Occitanie region and near Provence. Though set a little bit back from the coast, it’s still utterly appealing – and you’re close enough to the Côte d’Azur to visit whenever you like.

Two distinct towns make up Carcassonne. First is the Cité de Carcassonne, a towering citadel surrounded by stone ramparts, set up on the hill. Second is the quieter, smaller Ville Basse below it. The Canal du Midi, a beautiful waterway that links the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean over 360 kilometres, runs through the centre of Carcassonne.

Thanks to its prime location, the weather in Carcassonne is distinctly Mediterranean. That means hot, dry summers, mild autumns and winters, and semi-rainy but pleasant springtimes. Also, if you’ll be traveling back and forth to France or if you plan to host a lot of guests, you’ll be happy to know that there’s an international airport right in Carcassonne.

The citadel, which has been conquered and rebuilt numerous times, is what separates Carcassonne from so many other French towns. The medieval Cité and its Chateau Comtal, or Count’s Castle, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, overlook the village. Hailing from the Middle Ages, the Cité is one of today’s most-visited sites in France after the Eiffel Tower.

While you’ll explore cobbled streets, drawbridges and towers here, there are also chic shops and restaurants to visit, as well as museums. Plus, part of the fun is simply wandering around, maybe even getting lost on the winding streets and finding your way back at your leisure.

Down below is the hamlet of Ville Basse, noticeably smaller than the Cité and inhabited by locals instead of being frequented by tourists. This is where a lot of property buyers look for a home when moving to France. Understated yet still stylish, Ville Basse’s central square has shopping, dining and 18th-century fountains to appreciate.

The winter is an especially magical time to be in Carcassonne. Holiday festivities start in December and go into the new year, featuring everything from street performances to live music. Twinkling lights will seem to decorate every part of the town, providing an enchanting backdrop as you go ice skating. And with low tourism this time of year, it’s the best opportunity to visit the historic sites that are crowded during warmer weather.

Carcassonne is known for its countryside homes set amongst picturesque fields, whether you’re in a converted farmhouse or a deluxe villa. There are both ancient homes in Carcassonne, evident in their stonework, and new builds. And even in an older home, it’s common for the past to meet the present – for example, traditional Provencal decor may be complemented by modern comforts like underfloor heating.

One of the most popular property styles in Carcassonne is the mas. These traditional Provencal farmhouses are built using local stone and wood. The size will vary based on how wealthy the original owner was and how many people lived there. This is a desirable type of house for buyers, especially those looking for a holiday home.

Smaller homes aren’t as sought-after here, so you’re most likely to find a multi-bedroom home set on plenty of land. However, there are some apartments for sale in Carcassonne, which may be better for those looking for a getaway home or a rental property. If you buy a house, your land may also have a private garden for growing your own produce, a swimming pool and additional outbuildings to create extra living, working or storage space.

It’s always a good idea to work with a property agent when looking for property for sale in Carcassonne. Agents will have expert-level knowledge of the area, the property types available and listings that haven’t been made public. You’ll be making a lot of your arrangements from abroad, and it pays to have an agent in France who can advise you throughout the property buying process.

When you’ve found a property for sale in Carcassonne that you’d like to buy, the first thing you’ll do is make an offer in writing to the owner. If the seller accepts the offer, the next step is for both parties to sign the Compromis de Vente. This contract will cover the preliminary, not-yet-finalised details of the sale.

There’s then a mandatory 10-day cooling-off period. During this time, you can change your mind about buying the property without having to pay any penalties or lose your deposit. Once the 10 days have passed, the conveyancing process will begin. Over about 12 weeks, multiple home assessments will be carried out. You’ll get a well-rounded view of the state of the house and can decide if anything needs to be repaired or replaced before you buy.

Now it’s time for the final steps. You and the owner will decide on the specifics that will be included in the deed, called the Acte de Vente. Once it’s drawn up, both parties will sign it, and you’ll make your final payment, which means you can officially call the home your own!