If you love strolling through beautiful, authentic villages, the Aude is the place for you!
Heir to an exceptional medieval heritage, the Aude offers a wide range of breathtakingly beautiful monuments.
Here's a sample of my favorite places, and when you book, I'll give you a booklet of great addresses and tips to help you prepare for your stay.
Carcassonne Tourist Office offers a variety of activities suitable for all ages. You can choose between a classic guided tour or one specially designed for children, followed by a medieval workshop introducing them to the arts of the Middle Ages. The Tourist Office also offers a virtual reality film to immerse you in the history of the Cité and explore the daily life of a medieval family.
Designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Canal du Midi was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1996.
Whether you're cycling or enjoying a pleasant stroll along the old towpaths, you'll be able to recharge your batteries and contemplate the beauty of nature. You'll have the chance to pass boats and passers-by, take a moment to observe the fishermen...
In summer, you can even take part in a picnic cruise: a delicious meal as you contemplate the landscape.
Linked to the Cité by the Pont Vieux, Bastide St Louis, also known as the "lower town", is unique.
Take advantage of Place Carnot, the heart of the town, with its cafés and tables ready to welcome you.
If the Cité can be seen, the Bastide can be discovered. Stroll through the streets and admire the facades of the 18th-century townhouses or the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Climb the steps of the tower of St Vincent's church and enjoy a unique view of the Bastide and the Cité.
Erected on a rocky promontory overlooking the village of Lastours, the four castles are isolated by the deep valleys of the Orbiel and Grésillou rivers. They are often likened to guardians of the valleys, forming an indissociable unit like four inseparable brothers. The castles of Lastours as a whole present an impressive defensive appearance.
Nestled more than 700 meters above sea level on a rocky spur, the Château de Quéribus is the epitome of Cathar fortress architecture. It reveals its elegant silhouette while offering spectacular panoramic views stretching from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees.
Peyrepertuse is one of the five fortresses known as the "Sons of Carcassonne". Perched on a limestone ridge at an altitude of around 800 metres, this immense construction occupies an area equivalent to that of the city of Carcassonne. Nicknamed the "celestial Carcassonne", it is the most important medieval architectural complex in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Boulzane valley at an altitude of 697 metres, Puilaurens castle is accessible by footpath. It was also one of the "Fils de la Cité de Carcassonne" (Sons of the City of Carcassonne).
Explore Château de Termes, situated on a promontory, emerging amidst oak and juniper trees in the heart of Cathar country. At the time, this castle was one of the most powerful in Languedoc, exercising dominion over Termenès, a seigneury comprising some sixty villages.
The monastery is structured around a Gothic cloister and contains the "sarcophagus" of Saint-Sernin, a major work by the Master of Cabestany. Its reading chair is considered exceptional and unique in France. It was here in 1531 that the monks created the world's first sparkling wine, Blanquette de Limoux.
Imposing and majestic, this abbey, established under the aegis of Charlemagne in 779, was once the largest in the département. Today, it is one of the region's most remarkable architectural gems. Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse occupies a prestigious place among the religious buildings of Occitanie, bearing witness to over 1200 years of history.
Over the past three decades, Montolieu, known as the Village du Livre et des Arts, has built a solid reputation thanks to its bookshops, its book artisans and its Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre. Explore the flower-decked alleyways, discover the church of Saint-André and immerse yourself in tales and explorations as you leaf through the books after crossing the thresholds of the bookshops.
Internationally renowned for its incarnate red marble quarries and its use in numerous royal monuments such as Versailles, the Louvre and the Invalides, the village is built on the banks of the Argent Double river and at the foot of the Montagne Noire.
Just a 5-minute drive from the Cité de Carcassonne, you'll find this place offers swimming, walking, sports activities and moments of relaxation. During the summer season, Lac de la Cavayère offers a variety of activities, including the Carcassonne water-ski lift. This will introduce you to new board sports such as wakeboarding, water skiing, wakeskating and paddleboarding in a peaceful, natural environment.
After your activity session, you can enjoy tapas or a drink, while taking in the panoramic view of the lake.
If you're looking for a fun-filled way to enjoy the good weather, then Aqua Viva is the place for you. Water jumps, slides, catapults, trampolines, slide mats, a climbing wall and obstacle courses: everything you need for an enjoyable afternoon with family and friends. A catering area is also available.
Get ready for adrenalin-filled family fun in complete safety. Try out the zip line for a sensation of lightness and freedom. O2 aventure offers you 7 acrobatic courses comprising 100 workshops and 4 zip lines, enough to satisfy both adults and children!
What's more, you'll have the opportunity to take part in an exploratory game, an interactive experience that will transport you back to the 12th century.