Further Afield

History

This whole area is steeped in history, especially the Catholic crusade against the Cathar dualist ‘heretics’ and there are many spectacular Cathar castles to visit – the closest being a cluster of no less than four castles at Lastours. Others include Saissac, to the west and Montsegur, Peyrepertuse and Queribus which are further south, towards the Pyrenees. The wonderful medieval walled city at Carcassonne (La Cite) is a must – many agree that it is at its best in the evening when the tourists have thinned out and the lights come on.

Waterfall at Cupservies
There is dramatic and varied scenery in the Montagne Noire itself and the rugged rocky valley of the Orbiel contains a string of interesting villages, Conques-sur-Orbiel, Lastours, Les Ilhes, Mas-Cabardes, and the beautiful Roquefere, with its flowers and pretty riverside meadow. Continue up the mountain and you will come to the waterfall at Cupservies, and perhaps to the Pic de Nore, the highest (and coolest!) point of the Montagne Noire. Nearby at Limousis and Cabrespine there are spectacular caves with incredible natural formations of calcite and crystals.

Travelling west from Cuxac will bring you to the paper mill at St Denis, the castle and town of Saissac and Revel, a bastide town with an excellent Saturday market. Castelnaudary is the home of the local dish, cassoulet, and the largest basin (of water, not cassoulet) on the Canal du Midi.

Sites & Sunbathing

For swimming and sunbathing we recommend the pretty Lac des Montagnes, (20 minutes drive north towards Mazamet) where there is a beach and good facilities, including restaurants and a café, and a pleasant nature and fitness walk around the lake. There are golf courses at Mazamet and at Carcassonne (both about half an hour’s drive away). The mountain village of Hautpoul just south of Mazamet is well a worth visit. Driving north from Mazamet you reach the Castres, Albi and the fascinating medieval town of Cordes-sur-Ciel, perched on its hilltop.

Travel east into the Minervois, through Villeneuve-Minervois, Caunes and La Liviniere and you will find some of the best vineyards of this wine-rich region. Rock climbing is available at Caunes Minervois, and the rose-marble quarry there, in use since ancient times, and the abbey, should also be visited. The ancient town of Minerve is built on a rocky gorge with amazing natural arches.

The Road to the Vineyard
To the south east of Carcassonne are the Corbieres, rugged mountainous hills and gorges with yet another character, and more wonderful wine. Lagrasse is another beautiful town with an ancient abbey. South of Carcassonne you will find St Hilaire (another abbey town), Limoux (home of Blanquette, the famous sparkling wine), and Alet les Bains, a pretty spa town.

Go south west of Carcassonne into the Ariege and you will find rolling countryside, spectacular views of the mountains, and magical bastide towns such as Mirepoix, Foix, Bram and Fanjeaux.

There are good markets at Carcassonne, Mazamet, Limoux, Mirepoix, Foix and Revel. Narbonne and Beziers are good for shopping, and of course Toulouse is only an hour away down the autoroute. Day trips to the Pyrenees, Andorra and the Mediterranean beaches are also popular. From Pamiers you can take a memorable train journey through the Pyrenees to Barcelona (at least an overnight stay there before returning is recommended).

In short, you could spend a very long time here without taking in all the treasures of this rich and varied region of France.