Family Friendly Castles in France and Wales: Carcassonne and Caerphilly
- Chris
- Apr 5, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 25
Medieval soldiers once stood where your children will stand. They climbed these same tower steps, walked these ramparts, and looked out over landscapes they swore to defend.
Cité de Carcassonne: A fortress city kids can actually explore
Cité de Carcassonne isn't just a castle, it's an entire walled city in southern France where your family can wander medieval streets, climb defensive towers, and imagine life as a knight or merchant from centuries past.
The fortress walls stretch for nearly two miles. Kids love walking the ramparts and peering through arrow slits where defenders once watched for attackers. The views across the French countryside are spectacular, but it's the towers and hidden staircases that keep children exploring for hours.
After you've conquered the fortress, the medieval town inside offers cobblestone streets lined with shops and museums. It's perfect for grabbing ice cream or finding that souvenir sword your kids have been begging for.
Caerphilly Castle: Wales' water-protected fortress
Caerphilly Castle in Wales looks like it's floating. Built in the 13th century, it's surrounded by artificial lakes that once protected it from attackers...and now make it one of the most photogenic castles you'll visit.
As the second-largest castle in the United Kingdom, Caerphilly offers massive outdoor spaces where kids can run, explore towers, and watch medieval reenactments that bring history to life. The concentric rings of walls were so effective they inspired future castle designs, including Edward I's famous fortresses in North Wales.
The nearby town of Caerphilly is known for its crumbly white cheese, perfect for a family lunch after a morning of castle exploration.
Two more destinations for the Castle Travel Challenge
These castles bring our challenge total to 12, with more being added soon. Each one offers families a chance to step into history, explore impressive architecture, and create memories that last longer than any theme park visit.
Ready to plan your castle adventure?
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