Carcassonne has everything you need as a base for a long stay in France - great transport links, good shops, excellent restaurants and of course the most magnificent castle in France. The countryside around the Southern French town of Carcassonne, has proved to be a very popular place finding a long term rental property in the last couple of years. Here is a selection of 10 houses currently available for rent in the Carcassonne area of Southern France during 2024. 

The picturesque town of Carcassonne is located in the Aude department in Southern France. It lies in between the Mediterranean coast, the city of Toulouse and the Pyrenees Mountains to the south. The landscape around Carcassonne is quite varied. The Black Mountains are situated above Carcassonne and here you will find some lovely rural villages like Villardonnel, Saissac and Siran.

On the Eastern side of Carcassonne the Canal du Midi flows through the Minervois wine region towards the town of Narbonne and the beaches of the Mediterranean. The countryside is mainly flat and dominated by vineyards.

On the Western side of Carcassonne, in the direction of Toulouse, the vineyards give way to more arable crops, including acres of sunflower fields. Here you will find some nice rural towns like Revel, Bram and Castelnaudary (home of the famous Cassoulet).

The area south of Carcassonne slowly rises up to meet the Pyrenees. Here you will find some local market towns like Limoux, Quillan and the gorgeous town of Mirepoix.

 

 

I think if I was looking to rent around Carcassonne, I would choose a location either to the North or to the East. I find the countryside around Revel and Castelnaudary to be a bit boring and apart from Fanjeaux and Mirepoix, the villages in the south don't really appeal. Our son went to University in Toulouse and we always joked with him that as soon as we reach Carcassonne, the climate changes. You leave behind the sunshine and warmth of the Mediterranean and the skies become grey and over-cast. I don't have the weather statistics to hand, but I would imagine that there is more rainfall in the Western part of the Aude and less sunny days.

Living in Southern France: Carcassonne

Carcassonne is definitely a good choice if you are looking to live in Southern France. But I would perhaps concentrate on areas around the route of the Canal du Midi in the East or around Cuxac-Cabardes in the North. There are some nice areas to live in Carcassonne itself, especially in parts of the old town just below the castle.

Carcassonne has a population of around 48,000 people and there are archaeological remains dating back to before the Roman times. The area around Carcassonne was an important centre of the Cathars (a religious movement similar to the Quakers). The Cathars were virtually wiped out during a viscous 13th Century crusade ordered by the Pope. There are many Cathar ruins in the area including the castles at Quéribus and Peyrepertuse. But my favourite place to visit is the preserved Cathar village of Minerve to the East of Carcassonne.

 

Carcassonne itself suffered greatly during the Cathar crusade, as the castle was put under siege. Eventually the city surrendered and over 4,000 inhabitants were expelled from the town. The current castle at Carcassonne is France's second most-visited historical monument and it is the largest walled city in Europe. Inside the impressive walls of the castle, you will find a fully functioning town with hotels, restaurants, amphitheatre and shops. It is absolutely enormous and you get some commanding views from the ramparts over the town of Carcassonne and the surrounding countryside. 

Carcassonne also has a good range of restaurants and you really must try the famous Languedoc dish of Cassoulet - a duck and bean stew. In the centre of Carcassonne you will find some lovely boutiques and shops, as well as plenty of pavement cafes. On the outskirts of Carcassonne there are a number of shopping centres with large supermarkets, clothing stores and furniture shops.

 

Carcassonne has excellent transport links. The A61 motorway runs right past the town and connects Narbonne in the east with Toulouse and Bordeaux in the west. itself has its own airport - serviced mainly by low-cost flights from the UK and Scandinavia. 

There is a train station in the centre of Carcassonne, where you can pick up train services to both Narbonne and Toulouse. There are connecting TGV trains to Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille and Barcelona. Carcassonne has an international airport with many low cost Ryanair flights to Dublin, Ireland; Glasgow, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Manchester and London, UK; and Brussels, Belgium.

 

Long term rentals near Carcassonne 2023

We have a good range of different properties to rent long term in the Carcassonne area. Here we showcase 10 Carcassonne houses to show you what is currently available to rent and the range of prices you will expect to pay per month. As a rough guide, you should budget for:

• 1 bedroom property - €600 per month + bills
• 2 bedroom house - €750 per month + bills
• 3 bedroom property - €900 per month + bills
• 4 bedroom property - €1,000 per month + bills

These prices are based on a rental period of 6 months. If you are looking at a shorter rental period and/or if this coincides with the popular months of May, June and September, then the rental prices could increase by 15-20% per month. For rentals over the high season months of July and August, most properties in and around Carcassonne can earn similar amounts per week from Airbnb type rentals, that they normally receive per month in the off season. So the Owners are unlikely to want to lose that income. However, there are hassle factors and costs involved with the constant changeovers. So it is a process of negotiation. For sure, if you just want to spend 3 months over the summer around Carcassonne, then it is going to cost you a lot of money, but if you are looking at a longer rental period of up to 12 months then the rates will be more reasonable.

The monthly utility bills are always difficult to estimate, especially with the recent energy problems in Europe, but as a guide you should probably budget for around 15-17% of the monthly rental price.

If any of these long term rental houses are of interest to you, further details can be obtained on the property pages. Please check the availability calendars for your dates. We try and keep the availability calendars as up to date as possible and some houses will not be available over the summer period. If you have any particular requirements, then you can always contact us directly and we can make some recommendations. Our contact details are provided at the bottom of the page

 

 

1. Caunes-Minervois pet-friendly house long term rental France (Ref: 2104)

This cosy home with private patio and garden is located centrally in the gorgeous medieval village of Caunes Minervois. This is the perfect space to spend a relaxing year in the South of France.

This pet-friendly rental comes with an enclosed courtyard garden, so is ideal for customers with a dog or cat. There are some beautiful walks surrounding the village. Although Caunes-Minervois is a small town, it does come with the essential amenities and there is a bit of life going on throughout the year.

The house is laid out over 3 floors and comes with a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, well-equipped kitchen, spacious living room and a private enclosed garden.

Caunes-Minervois is a very popular medieval town located 25 minutes North of Carcassonne. The town has a large art community and has a population of 1600 people.

• 1 bedroom
• 1 bathroom
• Private garden
• Well-equipped kitchen
• Utility room with washing machine
• Easy walking distance to shops, bars, restaurants and the weekly market

This property in Caunes-Minervois near Carcassonne is available for monthly rentals from €600 + bills.

More Info

 

2. Domaine de Badens long term lets France pet friendly with pool (Ref: 1498)

Domaine de Badens is a beautiful pet friendly long term lets property set amongst 5 hectares of land on the edge of the village of Cenne Monestiés in the South of France. The property is nestled in a forest of mature oak and pine trees, with the Lampy river flowing nearby. This long term lets property in France is very pet friendly - their are 4 resident cats and the owners are happy to welcome well-behaved dogs. The property comes with:

• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Exposed beams and stonework
• Well equipped kitchen
• Swimming pool
• Home office/snug
• WiFi and Satellite TV 

The property is available for long term lets from October  to June for a monthly price of €700 per month + bills (€850pcm all inclusive). Minimum stay 3 months. The house is not available mid-June to mid-September.

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3. Marsanne long term rental near Carcassonne, France (Ref: 1746)

Marsanne long term rental property is located in a beautiful corner of South France, in between Carcassonne and the Pyrenees. The property is located on Domaine de La Flotte, a country estate situated on a wooded hillside where you can enjoy the unspoilt nature and the beautiful views of the Pyrenees mountains in the distance. If you are looking for a relaxing and peaceful long term stay in South France, then this property is a great choice. Carcassonne is 30 mins to the North and the Ski resorts in the Pyrenees are 1 hour to the South. This rental property near Carcassonne comes with:

• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Well-equipped kitchen + washing machine
• Private parking
• WiFi internet
• Large grounds
• 5 mins to local town of Chalabre
• Beautiful walking country

The property is available for monthly rentals between October to May from €700 per month + bills. Minimum stay 3 months.

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4. Siran house to rent in France long term, sleeps 4 (Ref: 1632)

Siran is located in the heart of the Minervois wine region, producing some of the best wines in Southern France. The house is located on a quiet street in the medieval heart of Siran, a beautiful village close to Carcassonne. This well-equipped village has a bar, bistro restaurant, school, shop and library. The property comes with a beautiful cottage garden, 2 bedrooms, large lounge and kitchen-diner. The house comes with:

• 2 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Well-equipped kitchen
• Enclosed garden
• Available for 3-12 month rentals
• Good Wi-Fi connection and satellite TV

This lovely house in the Siran, France, is available for long term rentals from 6-12 months. The monthly rental price starts at €650 per month + bills.

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5. Corbieres house for long term rentals in France sleeps 6 (Ref: 1788)

A 3 bed house for winter rentals in the Corbieres region of Southern France. The house comes with lovely views over open countryside, a garden and a terrace. The house has Wi-Fi internet, a well-equipped kitchen and central heating. This is an ideal get-away-from-it-all house to rent in Southern France. With the bright sunny days, mild climate and beautiful scenery surrounding you, this house is perfect for winter rentals. Suitable for a couple or a small family. This house in the Corbieres comes with:

• 3 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Walking distance to shop and cafe-bar
• Enclosed garden
• Stunning views
• Wi-Fi and satellite TV
• Private parking

This well-equipped house in the Corbieres, France, is available for long term rentals from 3-6 months between October to May. The monthly rental price starts at €800 pcm + bills.

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6. Carcassonne cottage to rent in France long term (Ref: 1117)

This cottage to rent in France long term is a beautiful refurbished 2 bedroom Cottage opposite the Canal du Midi in the centre of the city. The main railway station is 5 minutes walk and there are plenty of local restaurants, shops and services nearby. Carcassonne airport is just a short taxi ride. The cottage has its own private terrace and you can also sit on the canal bank with a baguette and a bottle of wine and watch the barges and little ducks go by.

The key features of the house include:

• Private terrace
• 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
• Fully fitted kitchen
• Walking distance into Carcassonne town centre

This 2 bedroom property can be rented between September to June from €900 per month + bills. The house comes with Wi-Fi and is heated via electric radiators. The Owner will accept pets through prior agreement (limited to 2 small/medium size dogs).

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7. Grenache - house for long term rentals Pyrenees, France (Ref: 1747)

If you are looking for a relaxing long stay in the South of France, then this French long term rental property at Domaine de la Flotte is perfect. The surrounding countryside offers you all the peace and quiet that you could need - horse-riding, mountain-biking, bird watching, walking and swimming in the nearby lakes are all available for the active. The views and sunsets will relax you as you sip a glass of wine on the terrace in the evening. This really is an ideal spot to enjoy a long stay in the South of France.

Grenache house for long term rentals is located in a beautiful part of South France, 30 mins south of Carcassonne. The house is located on a country estate situated on a wooded hillside where you can enjoy the unspoilt nature and the beautiful views of the Pyrenees mountains in the distance. The property offer splendid peace and tranquillity. This long term rental property comes with:

• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Private terrace
• Air conditioning (reversible)
• Wi-Fi and satellite TV

This property is available for long term rentals between October to May from €700 per month + bills.

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8. Riverside house for rent in Esperaza South France Ref: 2058

This quaint 2 bedroom house for rent in the beautiful village of Esperaza in Southern France, comes with 2 south-facing terraces where you can terrace where you can enjoy meals or sit quietly listening to the river flowing below. Esperaza is located close to the ancient Cathar monuments and the mysterious village of Rennes le Chateau where Dan Browne collected material for his book The da Vinci Code.

• 2 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• 2 Private terraces
• Free parking near the house
• Utility room with washing machine
• Lounge and dining room
• Easy walking distance to shops, bars, restaurants and the weekly market

The house is available for rent between October to June from €750 per month + bills.

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9. Farmhouse for long term rentals, Carcassonne, South France (Ref: 1675)

This beautifully renovated farmhouse for long term rentals in South France is located close Carcassonne and comes with 3 bedrooms, a spacious living room and a large private swimming pool. The property has stunning views of the medieval village of Fanjeaux, which is located in between Carcassonne and Mirepoix. The Farmhouse is equipped to a high standard and is very bright and airy inside. The Farmhouse provides total peace and quiet, yet is only a 2 minute drive to the village where you will find an excellent boulangerie/patisserie, cafe/tabac, restaurant and shop. This long term rental property sleeps 6 people in comfort. The farmhouse comes with :

• 3 bedrooms
• 3 bathrooms
• Private parking for 3-4 cars
• Wi-Fi and flat screen TV
• Large garden
• Central heating and fireplace 
• Table tennis & swing
• Stunning countryside views

This farmhouse near Carcassonne, France, is available for 3-6 month rentals between mid-October and April from €1200 pcm + bills. Higher prices may apply over the summer season.

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10. Carcassonne apartment for long term rentals South France Ref: 1744

A 2 bedroom apartment in the centre of Carcassonne, France for long term rentals. The historic town of Carcassonne in South France, contains the largest fortified town in Europe and this is now an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Carcassonne also has an international airport, Railway station and provides easy access to the A61 motorway, which runs from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean.

The apartment is located in a quiet neighborhood on the edge of the town centre, within walking distance of all sights. This is an ideal location for a long stay in France.

The apartment contains:

• 2 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Shared pool
• Well-equipped kitchen
• Secure parking
• Lounge and dining room
• Terrace

Available for long term rentals between October and May from €750 per month + bills.

More Info

  

Where to next . . . ?

If you are interested in living in Southern France during 2024, hopefully this article has provided you with some good ideas about the range of houses available for long term rent near Carcassonne. If you would like to continue your for long term rental properties currently available in South France, you will find the following links useful:

Read our article on How and where to rent a house in France long term in 2024

See our full listing of Carcassonne long term rental properties currently available for rent in 2024

Choose from our range of All year around long term rentals in France

Find Pet-friendly long term rentals in France 

If you would like some more detailed information about renting long term in France, then just drop us a quick message and we will come straight back to you. I wish you a wonderful stay in the South of France. 

Contact Iain by Email.