Surroundings

Aude, a region stretching between the Mediterranean and Toulouse and southward to the Pyrenees, has a lot to offer you: mountains and hills, woods and lakes, warm water sources, babbling brooks and wild rivers, squeezing themselves through the 'gorges', waterfalls, or splendid caverns with stalactites and stalagnites. You can relax on one of the quiet beaches or choose for some action like walking, cycling and canoeing. You can dive into the rich history of this region by visiting one of the many Cathar castles, the unique mediaeval walled 'Cité de Carcassonne', the Roman era in Narbonne or one of the Cistercian Abbeys.

Sight seeing

This is only a small selection from the overwhelming opportunities for sight seeing in the Aude, Ariège and Hérault. You will find a lot of information (brochures) in the holiday homes.

	Carcassonne One of the best preserved fortified cities in Europe.		Mirepoix Small mediaeval town with a beautiful church. The market square has lovely carved wooden beamed arcades. Partly covered market is held on Mondays.
	Lake Montbel Go fishing, swimming, surfing, sailing, rent a pedalo or just walk around it.		Chalabre One of the many small towns with mediaeval halftimbered houses. Covered market place. Specialty of the 'boulanger': anis bread.
	Limoux Quaint small town with old bridges over the river Aude. Famous for its Blanquette and its traditional Carnaval. Stroll through the narrow streets or around the market square and enjoy the atmosphere in the cafés and restaurants.		Lagrasse Idyllic mediaeval village on the river Orbieu. Old houses, narrow streets and a splendid covered market. Lots of art and craft galleries and many good restaurants. Famous abbey dating back to 799, with cloisters. From the tower you have a beautiful view over Lagrasse.
	Ramparts of the Cathars A tour along the majestic castles in the Corbières, perched on their crags, once serving as watch-posts along the border with Aragon, is a trip back into history. In many of them the Cathars found protection against the persecution of the Inquisition, until even the last finally were burned alive on the bonfires of Montségur and Quéribus.