- Our Area -
This area is famous for its Cathar castles, ancient abbayes and historical cities and is also an area of outstanding natural beauty, with forests, lakes and snow capped mountains, and rolling hills planted with sunflowers and vines.
Carcassonne (30 mins) wander around the world famous citadel - a Unesco World Heritage site with its narrow cobbled streets, gothic towers and magnificent ramparts and panoramic views of vineyards with snow capped mountains beyond.
Mirepoix (10 min) - sit in the cafes in the medieval square and visit the vibrant weekly market.
Chateaux de Pays Cathare - visit some of the magnificent ruined fortresses perched on sheer rocky outcrops, such as Montsegur (45 mins), the final stronghold of the Cathars.
Canal du Midi (20 mins)
Hire a boat and explore the historic 17th century Canal du Midi which runs through nearby Catlenaudary and Bram, through the vineyards of the Corbieres to the Mediterranean.
Wine
Vineyards - visit the wide array of vineyards - this region is famous for its Minevois and Corbiere wines, and more locally the distinctive wines of the Malepere. Sample the Blanquette de Limoux, the local sparkling wine, the regions "Champagne"!
Beaches (50 mins)
The Mediterranean is only 50 minutes away with beaches at Narbonne and further down the coast at Leucate which offers wide sandy beaches and watersports.
Lakes (30 mins)
There are a number of lakes nearby including Lac Saint Ferreol with beach swimming and wooded walks. Also, Lac de Montebel which offers watersports including sailing and windsurfing, canoeing and pedal boats.
Canoeing and White water rafting at Quillan and Foix and Limoux.
Angling at Lac de Montbel and Mountain Angling for trout and salmon at Foix - I’Arget
Riding
There are a number of stables locally offering hourly to whole day treks.
Golf (20 mins)
There is an 18 hole golf course at the four star Domaine d’Auraic 20 minutes from us.
Skiing (1 hours 15 mins)
The local ski resort is Mont d’Olmes which has 23km of piste in the mountains near Montsegur and is just over an hours drive. The larger Ax les Thermes offers a full range of facilities with pistes for all levels and is 1 hour 15 minutes away. The season begins at the beginning of December through to the middle of April.
Walking
The walking here is fantastic with many signposted walking trails in all directions for all levels - some gentle strolls through farmland with fields of sunflowers, others more strenuous hilly/mountain trails. The GR7 runs through Fanjeaux and on to Mirepoix. Pick ups can be arranged.
Festivals
There are numerous festivals during the summer months including the Jazz Festivals in Mirepoix and Foix, the puppet festival in Mirepoix and "City in Flames", Carcassonne’s spectacular Bastille day fireworks to name but a few.
