A Travel Price Comparison for France Carcassonne vs. Auxerre for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Carcassonne or Auxerre?

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 Auxerre. 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. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a authentic, under-rated, and undiscovered town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Carcassonne and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Auxerre?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Carcassonne than Auxerre, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Carcassonne is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is more popular for its nightlife. Carcassonne is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Also, Carcassonne is famous for La Cité de Carcassonne. Auxerre is well known for its food, wine, and art history.

La Cité de Carcassonne
La Cité de Carcassonne

How is Carcassonne different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre 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 Auxerre?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Carcassonne is great for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Carcassonne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.


Is the Food Better in Carcassonne or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Carcassonne is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Carcassonne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Carcassonne or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Auxerre 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 Auxerre. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Carcassonne is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Carcassonne has an old town worth visiting. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.


Is Carcassonne or Auxerre Better for Families?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Both Carcassonne and Auxerre are notable family-friendly destinations.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly town. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Auxerre. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Carcassonne or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Carcassonne and Auxerre both notable destinations for a couple.

Carcassonne is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Auxerre makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Carcassonne or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Carcassonne is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.


Is Carcassonne or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Carcassonne and Auxerre.

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 Auxerre, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town.

Is Carcassonne or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Carcassonne
Auxerre

Carcassonne is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Carcassonne or Auxerre to fill your time. In our opinion, Carcassonne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Carcassonne than Auxerre. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Carcassonne than Auxerre. 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 Carcassonne than Auxerre. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carcassonne that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carcassonne than Auxerre 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.


  • How many days in Carcassonne or Auxerre? Ideal Length of Stay
    Carcassonne 1-2 
    Auxerre 1-2

One day in Carcassonne or Auxerre?

In Carcassonne, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the undiscovered town of Auxerre. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


A weekend in Carcassonne or Auxerre?

In Carcassonne, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Carcassonne has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the undiscovered destination of Auxerre. 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 Auxerre?

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The undiscovered town of Auxerre offers food and museums. 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 Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carcassonne. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Carcassonne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Auxerre. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Auxerre or Carcassonne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Carcassonne is €106, while the average daily cost in Auxerre is €113. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Carcassonne and Auxerre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Carcassonne 61
    Auxerre 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Carcassonne 122
    Auxerre 102
Compare Hotels in Carcassonne and Auxerre

Looking for a hotel in Carcassonne or Auxerre? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Carcassonne


Hotels in Auxerre


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Carcassonne Hotel Prices and Auxerre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Carcassonne 7.14
    Auxerre 46

Is it cheaper to fly into Carcassonne or Auxerre?

Prices for flights to both Auxerre and Carcassonne change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Carcassonne 39
    Auxerre 34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Carcassonne 14
    Auxerre 18

Tours and Activities in Carcassonne

For Carcassonne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • A Self-Guided Tour of Carcassonne’s Ancient Basilica: $20
  • Best of Cathar Country: Full-Day Private Tour.: $209
  • Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Tour: $20
  • Carcassonne Private Guided Walking Tour: $299
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour : $203
  • Castle and Ramparts Entry Ticket: $12
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.52
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Fortress Walking Tour: $174
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.52
  • Medieval Walls Self-Guided Smartphone App Tour: $20
  • Photoshoot Experience: $163

Tours and Activities in Auxerre

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Auxerre.

  • Chocolate Tour with Tasting: $16
  • Touristic highlights of Auxerre a Private half day tour (4 Hours) with a local: $113
  • e-Mehari Tour et dégustation Chablis Clotilde Davenne: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Carcassonne 13
    Auxerre 6.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Carcassonne

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Carcassonne:

  • Wine tour Cathar country: $478

Sample the Local Flavors in Auxerre

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Auxerre:

  • From Dutch Barge Full-Day Cruise with Wine Tasting: $85
  • Chablis & Northern Burgundy Wine Tour: $276


When comparing the travel costs between Carcassonne and Auxerre, we can see that Auxerre is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Auxerre?

Carcassonne has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne and Auxerre, 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 Auxerre?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Auxerre. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Carcassonne is generally a little warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 24°C (75°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auxerre this time of the year. In Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Carcassonne usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during summer. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Carcassonne 24°C (75°F) 
    Auxerre 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Carcassonne or Auxerre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Auxerre. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the small town atmosphere during these months.

Carcassonne is a little warmer than Auxerre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Carcassonne often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets more rain in October than Auxerre. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Carcassonne 17°C (62°F) 
    Auxerre 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Carcassonne or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Auxerre can be very cold. In the winter, Carcassonne is much warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carcassonne in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Auxerre averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Carcassonne usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during winter. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Carcassonne 8°C (47°F) 
    Auxerre 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Carcassonne or Auxerre in the Spring?

Both Auxerre and Carcassonne during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

In April, Carcassonne is generally a little warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 14°C (56°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Carcassonne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets more rain in April than Auxerre. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Carcassonne 14°C (56°F) 
    Auxerre 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Carcassonne

Carcassonne Auxerre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in) 3°C (37°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 24°C (74°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 21°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 5°C (41°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)