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The walled city of Carcassonne stands high on a hill above the River Aude, overlooking the valley of Laurageais and the lush Minervois vineyards. It is Europe's largest fortified citadel, each stone a mute witness to its romantic past. Standing between two historic landmarks, the Roman Chateau Comtal and the Gothic Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, the Hotel de la Cite is set in its own glorious gardens. Each of its rooms and suites is individually furnished and decorated in traditional style - matched by modern comfort, and all rooms feature the most up to date facilities including air conditioning, sound-proofing, direct dial telephone and television.

Acquired in May 1997 by Orient-Express Hotels, the hotel now features 61 deluxe guestrooms and suites, many with private gardens and terraces, kitchenettes, pop-up TV's with VCR's, fax machines as well as computer and modem connections.

The redecoration of the hotel has been co-ordinated by the celebrated designers, Gerard Gallet and Jean-Michel Ley. As well as redecorating the hotel's award-winning gastronomic restaurant, La Barbacane, the adjacent library bar and lounge with its historic fireplace and stained-glass cathedral style windows, several new suites have been created on the ground floor overlooking the gardens.

Enjoy fine dining at the 1 star Michelin restaurant La Barbacane; a gourmet French haute cuisine 75 seat restaurant, serving elaborate and sophisticated à la carte dishes. More informal dining is provided for at Chez Saskia, an elegantly redesigned restaurant, offering a more relaxed ambience. Le Jardin de l'Eveque, open in summer only, provides the ultimate in al-fresco dining, allowing guests to sample outstanding French cuisine. Recently listed by the French National Conservation Trust, the new hotel lobby features four large Ourtal paintings, dating back to 1926, that have been brought back to their original splendour. The hotel's unique features, such as 1920's mosaic floors, beamed ceilings, solid oak wainscoting and wrought iron light fixtures, have been restored and together contribute to recreating this former Episcopal Palace's neo-gothic style.

The hotel's tranquil gardens, nestled within the ramparts of the old city, have seen extensive landscaping. The heated outdoor swimming pool is the only existing pool within the citadel and is set against the dramatic backdrop of the Basilica of St. Nazaire.

The renovation project has also added a 120m meeting room, as well as two smaller breakout rooms, all with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and enjoying natural daylight.

Gallery

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