9Carcassonne, France
Few places in Europe look as unmistakably medieval as Carcassonne. Rising above the French countryside, this spectacular fortified town is enclosed by double defensive walls punctuated by numerous towers.
Its historic citadel, known as the Cité de Carcassonne, has been restored over the centuries and today looks remarkably like a medieval fortress. Inside the walls are narrow lanes, stone buildings, small shops and cafés, while the imposing Château Comtal dominates the skyline.
Carcassonne is particularly magical in the evening, when the crowds begin to disappear and the illuminated walls create an almost fairytale-like scene.
