Information About Castelnaudary, Canal Du Midi / Carmargue
Next stop: Bram
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Alternative Location: 
Things to do in Castelnaudary
Back to topWhy do we recommend stopping here?
The ancient streets are lined with half-timbered houses and private mansions dating from the XVIIIth century. During the last weekend of August the town hosts a Cassoulet festival, celebrating its main claim to fame.
What is there to see?
A collection of apothecary pots at the local hospital. The Presidial Museum with archeological findings dating from prehistorical to medieval times.The Cugarel windmill. Saint Michael's church. The Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy. Private mansions.A Chappe telegraph house.
What can I visit?
All these locations are to visit, some for free but most of them offer guided tours. Information and reservation at the Tourist Office, Place de Verdun, tel +33 468 23 05 75 or e-mail ot@ville-castelnaudary.fr . Website: castelnaudary-tourisme.com
Is this place famous for anything?
Castelnaudary is the self-proclaimed "World Capital of Cassoulet". The ingredients of this dish are a matter of debate. It generally includes haricot tarbais beans, duck confit, garlic sausage, pork hock or skin to season. It may contain the specialty sausage of Toulouse and either mutton or pork and has been known to contain partridge as well. Traditional peasant versions of the recipe can take two days or more to prepare. The traditional cooking vessel is an earthenware pot called a cassole for which the dish is named.
Do any famous people live here?
The 4th Foreign Regiment of the French Foreign Legion has been based in Castelnaudary since 1976, and the base is open to the public on 30 April and at Christmas.
Insider Information
Thomas Jefferson, 3d President of the United States came to visit the 4 locks of St Roch, as he intented to construct a canal between the Potomac and lake Eerie.
Is there a market day?
Mondays
Is there a public swimming pool?
public swimming pool +33 4 68 23 11 23
Opening Hours: June until first week of September : 10:30am to 1:30pm - 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Alternative: no
Is there a tourist office?
yes: Halle de Verdun +33 468 23 05 73 e-mail: ot @ville-castelnaudary.fr
Is there a golf course here or nearby?
Nearest one is at Carcassonne (40 km away) : Golf Club de Carcassonne, Domaine d'Auriac, Route de St-Hilaire tel+33 613 20 85 43 or tel/fax +33 468 72 57 30
Is there anything else worth mentioning?
Cassoulet, a deliciously rich concoction of beans, sausage and goose confit is the Castelnaudary speciality, invented as a sustaining food when the town was under siege by the English.
Eating and Drinking in Castelnaudary
Back to topBest places to drink an aperitif?
Le Grand Bar, 26 Cours de la République (near the market place)
Contact Details: tel +33 468 23 00 36
Les Dodines restaurant, 19 Quai du Port (terrace that gives on the small bassin)
Opening Hours: all day (serves also breakfast in the high season)
Contact Details: tel +33 468 94 07 65
Budget restaurant
Le Petit Gazouillis
Address: 5 rue de l'Arcade
Atmosphere: recommended by "Le Guide du Routard"
Cuisine: traditional and local
Speciality: cassoulet, confit de canard (duck preserves)
Opening Hours: 12:00 to 2:00pm and from 7:00pm to 9:30pm - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Contact Details: tel +33 468 23 08 18 (Reservation highly recommended)
Moderately priced restaurant
Hôtel Restaurant Fourcade
Address: 14 rue des Carmes
Cuisine: traditional and local
Speciality: cassoulet, confit,… - fish dishes
Opening Hours: 12:00 to 2:00pm and from 7:00pm to 9:30pm (closed on Sunday night and all Monday)
Contact Details: tel +33 468 23 02 08
Upmarket restaurant
Hôtel Restaurant du Centre et du Lauragais
Address: 31 Cours de la République
Cuisine: classic
Speciality: cassoulet and duck
Opening Hours: 12:00 to 2:30pm and from 7:30pm to 9:30pm (closed on Sunday night)
Contact Details: tel +33 468 23 25 95
Shopping in Castelnaudary
Back to topSupermarket
When on foot, there is a Spar in the center of town at 15 min walking from the base.
In the main street, at the far end of the square Place de la République
Opening Hours: 9:00am to 7:30pm , except on Sundays and bank holidays
Supermarket
By car one can go to the Intermarché.
Direction of the motorway, at 2 km .
Supermarket 3
Géant, open until 8:30pm
What other shops are there??
Wine cellar, shop with local specialities, shops selling cassoulet (tinned or take-away); laundry, internet café, mobile phone shop:baker's, butcher's, grocery's,…
Opening Hours: Most of them open at 9:00am to 12:30 and again from 2:00pm to 7:00pm
Practicalities at Castelnaudary
Back to topMooring
At the base of Crown Blue Line in the Grand Bassin; at the marina run by the town council in the small bassin
Can I get water here?
no. Fuel available only for Le Boat clients in the Le Boat base.
Are there any 220v points to plug the boat into?
yes
Can I get fuel here?
Fuel is not available at this destination, except for the Le Boat base, which is only available for clients and their vessels.
Are there any waste pump facilities here?
no
Are there any public waste bins here?
yes
Are there toilet/shower facilities here?
yes
Is there a bank?
several in the main street (Cours de la Rébuplique)
Is there an ATM?
several in the main street
Is there a post office?
yes, in the main street,
Is there a doctor?
Cabinet Médical, Place de la République +33 468 94 00 33
Is there a dentist?
Rouffiac Philippe, 85 rue de Dunkerque +33 468 23 14 19
Is there a pharmacy?
Pharmacie Pinel-Bertrand, 50 rue de Dunkerque +33 468 23 10 43
Is there a taxi company here?
Taxi Aaron: +33 680 87 86 81
Taxi Vielmas: +33 603 53 87 38
Can I get internet access here?
Internet Café: "CYBERc@fé", 22 rue de Dunkerque ; +33 468 60 10 56 open from 10:30am to 8:30pm Mon - Thurs, 11am-10:30pm Fri & Sat, 2pm-8:30pm on Sundays (in the summer)
Internet Café: "Cybermedia 11", 22 rue du 11 Novembre, 11400 Castelnaudary; telephone: +33 434 23 51 58; open 10am to 7pm Mon-Sat and 2-7pm on Sundays
