With limited time in Provence, and our first visit to Provence, would be worthwhile to visit Carcassonne. I wouldn't feel as if I've been to Europe if I haven't explored such a fortress. Another consideration is the drive there. We will be travelling in early November is it a scenic drive.
Thank you in advance
First timers to Provence
I stopped there because it was on my route to Provence but I wouldn't go out of my way to see Carcassonne. I found it interesting but filled with tourist shops selling wooden swords and other junk. Now if you miss the Pont du Gard, that would be a shame.
Where else in Europe will you be visiting because there are other walled cities and castles.
If you can ignore the tacky shops, it is indeed a fortress high on a hill above a plain, much more complete than visiting a chateau. However, it's very far out of the way in Languedoc if your trip is to Provence. Here's a list of castles in Provence and the Riviera; I recommend Tarascon Chateau as it is quite intact. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_castles_in_Provence-Alpes-C%C3%B4te_d%27Azur
I wish I had time to visit Carcassonne, but alas, did not. I posted a similar question a few weeks back if you want to read the answers I received: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/carcassonne-short-time-to-see-or-not-to-see
I stayed in St Remy on my trip, and I highly recommend you visit Glanum and Les Baux. My husband and I almost skipped Glanum, thinking it would just be a pile of rocks with a bunch of signs, but decided it was too nice a day to just drive by. Well, it is a pile of rocks with signs, but also so much more... Once you start walking through Glanum, the signs show what structure was there and what it was used for. And what remains of the structures are in surprisingly good enough condition that you can envision the city and it's people 2000 years ago...
The ruins of Les Baux castle are also wonderful. The views from the cliffside are amazing, there are very helpful interpretive signs all along the way. The life-size medieval siege weapons particularly enthralled my husband... It's a steep walk up but worth every step! The surrounding little town is cute with little shops all over. Yes, most shops may just be tourist traps but there were some local arts and crafts as well.
My wife and I made time for Carcassonne and found it underwhelming. If you have limited time, I'd suggest spending it in Provence.
We were also underwhelmed by Carcassonne but spent a night there since it was a convenient stop coming up from Barcelona. It was an easy place to rent a car and head to other places in France.
I agree with the other replies. If it's convenient for your itinerary, stop in Carcassonne, particularly if you can get there outside of midday so it will be less crowded and more atmospheric. But don't go out of your way to see it, and don't feel you've missed a "must see" if you don't get there. Nimes, Arles, and the Roman theater in Orange are just three places that I found far more worthwhile than Carcassonne.
