Les Halles – Carcassonne’s Covered Market

Welcome to the Halles de Carcassonne, the city’s covered market that is sure to delight many. Built in the mid-18th century, it was once a grain market in what was then known as Place du Pilori, the Pillory Square, notorious for the public punishment of thieves. Today, it houses the city’s bustling indoor market. Now’s the perfect chance to introduce you to some of Carcassonne’s signature specialties! Surely, there’s one dish that comes to mind first: cassoulet, a true Languedoc delicacy. This flavorful dish is made with dried white beans, simmered with duck or goose confit, lard, pork belly, sausage, and sometimes lamb or partridge, depending on the recipe and region. They often add some vegetables as well. Forget chicken – in Carcassonne they’re all about duck! You’ll find lots of duck dishes, from duck gizzards to duck breast fillets, duck confit, and of course foie gras. Go off the beaten culinary path, and try the Languedoc-style snails, served with cured ham, fresh anchovies, walnuts, tomatoes and garlic. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever tasted! Pop into a bakery next, and grab a fougasse aux fritons, a savory flatbread with bacon and spices, perfect for snacking on the go. Right here, in the market, and in a few shops in the city, you’ll also find the famous black truffles from the Aude region, harvested in the foothills of the so-called Black Mountain in Southern France. As for desserts, don’t miss out on the Carcassonnais, a brioche pastry filled with creamy custard and candied fruit. Not to be confused with the Petit Carcassonnais, a small oval cake similar to a madeleine and flavored with candied orange peels. But the true showstopper here is the cassoulet glacé, a sugary twist on the iconic local dish. Imagine a cassoulet pot made of nougatine, filled with vanilla ice cream, chestnuts and Morello cherries. And for those who love spices, you must try the Tourgnol, a soft brioche flavored with anise. You can also take a piece of Carcassonne back home with the Ecus de la Cité, chocolates molded in the shape of the fortified city walls. You can also go for the Tap de Limos, chocolates shaped like champagne corks, filled with a rich ganache made with grapes macerated in aged Chardonnay marc from Limoux. Besides wine, Limoux is also known for its nougat, which you can also buy here in Carcassonne. And let’s not forget the local wines! Take your pick from Limoux, Cabardès, Corbières, Minervois, Malepère or the wines of the Cité de Carcassonne with the protected geographical indication. Cheers!