A Travel Price Comparison for France Carcassonne vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Carcassonne and Aix-en-Provence. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a vibrant, laid-back, and relaxing town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Aix-en-Provence than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Aix-en-Provence is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Aix-en-Provence is well known for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square. Also, Aix-en-Provence is famous for .

How is Carcassonne different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Carcassonne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

Carcassonne is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Carcassonne can be an interesting and educational experience. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Aix-en-Provence, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Aix-en-Provence is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Aix-en-Provence. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Carcassonne is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Carcassonne offers a nice historic old town area. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is very popular for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Aix-en-Provence. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Carcassonne is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Aix-en-Provence makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is well known for backpackers. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Carcassonne is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Aix-en-Provence is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Many students visit Aix-en-Provence. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Is Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Carcassonne and Aix-en-Provence.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

You'll find some public transit in Aix-en-Provence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Carcassonne on foot is easy. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Aix-en-Provence due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Carcassonne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

Families should spend more time in Carcassonne than Aix-en-Provence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Carcassonne, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Carcassonne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aix-en-Provence that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carcassonne than Aix-en-Provence if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Carcassonne.

One day in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

The medieval destination of Carcassonne offers food and museums. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing town of Aix-en-Provence. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

The town of Carcassonne offers museums and food. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Aix-en-Provence. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The vibrant town of Aix-en-Provence offers museums and food. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Carcassonne. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Aix-en-Provence. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carcassonne and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Aix-en-Provence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aix-en-Provence than you might in Carcassonne.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Carcassonne Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne and Aix-en-Provence, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Carcassonne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 24°C (75°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Aix-en-Provence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets more rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Aix-en-Provence. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Aix-en-Provence. The winter months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

In the winter, Carcassonne is a little warmer than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carcassonne in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets more rain in January than Aix-en-Provence. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the natural beauty.

In April, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 14°C (56°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Carcassonne