Exclusive for Mail on Sunday readers: Explore Carcassonne with top author Kate Mosse 

The magnificent French city of Carcassonne – the largest walled city in Europe and a Unesco World Heritage site – is home to perhaps the most majestic medieval castle you will find anywhere: it’s the stuff of children’s fairy tales. 

This dramatic setting, where every battlement has a story to tell, is the backdrop to Kate Mosse’s brilliant and hugely popular trilogy of books set in the Languedoc region, which she began in 2005 with the bestselling Labyrinth.

Kate fell under the spell of this wonderful region of France almost 30 years ago, and it has been inspiring her writing ever since. 

Inspirational: The spectacular chateau at Carcassonne overlooking the city’s famous bridge – a medieval citadel that fascinates Kate

MEET OUR EXPERT 

You will be joined by Kate Mosse

Kate Mosse is an international bestselling author with sales of more than five million copies in 38 languages. Her fiction includes the novels Labyrinth (2005), Sepulchre (2007), The Winter Ghosts (2009), Citadel (2012) and The Taxidermist’s Daughter (2014). Kate’s 2018 novel, The Burning Chambers, is the first in a quartet of works covering 300 years of history and crossing the world from Carcassonne and Toulouse in the 16th Century, Amsterdam and the New World, to Franschhoek in South Africa in the 19th Century. The founder director of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Kate was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2013 for services to literature. She divides her time between Sussex and Carcassonne.

As she has previously written in an article for The Mail on Sunday: ‘It’s my passion for the history and landscape of the Languedoc region, and Carcassonne’s medieval citadel in particular, that inspires my storytelling. Whenever I see its 52 turrets and towers, the mellow stone against the blue sky, I can hardly believe it is real.’

On this exclusive tour you will be staying in the heart of Carcassonne, where you will have the chance to discover its atmospheric streets and centuries of dramatic history stretching back to the crusades. 

You will also enjoy a special guest appearance from Kate, who will give a private talk and question-and-answer session about her gripping novels and explain why this fascinating region of France has so inspired her storytelling.

REASONS TO BOOK

Events with Kate Mosse: This holiday is a must for anyone who has enjoyed reading Kate’s wonderful books. As well as joining her for an exclusive tour and dinner, you will also have the chance to ask her your questions during a private talk and Q&A session.

Private tour of Carcassonne: Visit many of the places that feature in Kate’s Languedoc trilogy on a tour that will also include a special appearance from Kate herself – the perfect person to bring the history of this intriguing city to life.

Free copy of Kate’s new book: You will receive a complimentary copy of Kate’s bestselling historical novel The Burning Chambers, which she will be happy to sign for you during your trip.

Hotel Le Donjon: One of the only hotels located within the walls of the citadel, Le Donjon is among Carcassonne’s most atmospheric places to stay. The four-star hotel will be your base for the duration of your holiday.

Spectacular Languedoc: You will also explore the region beyond the walls of Carcassonne, including other places that feature in Kate’s books. Toulouse, Narbonne, the traditional market of Mirepoix and Montsegur Castle are all part of your superb itinerary.