Carcassonne in £50s-£70s rtn

Yeah, we know — if there's one thing France is known for (outside the obvious), it's castles. 

So, what makes the walled city at Carcassonne worth your consideration for a peak-summer sojourn? 

Well: 

• the UNESCO status of its preserved medieval city means it's one of the most popular attractions in the whole country
• visit in July for the annual Carcassonne Festival
• you can hire a boat to float down the Canal du Midi in your own leisurely time.

You've also got the cities of Béziers (known for its ancient Roman arena and nearby vineyards) and Montpellier (a student town on the Med, with beaches accessible by public transport) within a couple of hours on the train.