All the reviews we read rhapsodize about the view from the apartment, but we were not prepared for the real thing. The castle is stunning enough when one explores it during a day visit, but the excitement of living right next to it is impossible to imagine. From the right angle, the castle ramparts fill the bedroom window. I took photos of it from the window and could only capture half the length of the walls. The castle is lit until late into the night; it is a dark looming mass at night; it changes with the sun, soft in the morning, more formidable in the day. Forgive the attempt at poetic language, that's what the location will do to one. A not very steep stroll on a sidewalk takes you to a city gate. Alternatively, there is a narrow path that starts in an alley a few houses down the street and winds upwards through a meadow on the hillside under the walls.
Our Cezanne apartment is on the middle floor between two others rented out by the same landlord. The house is on a picturesque street, the kind that demands to be photographed. It is closed by bollards on one side, which means no traffic, but it also means that you either carry your luggage a little ways from the dead end, which is what we did, or back the car in towards the house from the other end. There is no private parking; we found spots on nearby streets, or in a (free) parking lot about five minutes away.
The immediate neighborhood is a network of one-way streets, which makes driving inconvenient, but all essentials are within an easy walk: two small grocery stores (épicerie), one just around the corner; a patisserie/boulangerie; a Tabac; and restaurants. A standard supermarket is located in the "new" Carcassonne. To avoid parking hassles, I walked about 20 minutes, across a pretty old pedestrian bridge and some low-traffic shopping streets, to the main square. It is an interesting stroll, but one does have to carry the groceries back to home. There is a large hyper-marché farther away, but I dislike driving in an unfamiliar city.
In addition to having the stunning view, the apartment is comfortable and well equipped, with terrace even, and definitely spacious enough for three. Mick is a friendly, laid-back host; he was very helpful, at first by email and phone, then later dropped by to check that we were settled OK, to chat, and make sightseeing suggestions.
All in all, we had a wonderful stay in Carcassonne.