Lagrasse

One of the most beautiful villages of France, is situated in the hills and wineyards of the Corbières. It is assumed that Charlemagne had an abbeye found here in 799. During the 12th century the village was situated on both sides of the river Orbieu, and during that time the old bridge, which still exists, was constructed. During the 100 years war, the village was protected by defences, the ruins are still existing.
The small lime-stone houses with their wooden roofs were build in the 15th century. Very beautiful are the houses on the defences and the market hall of the 14th century. Don't forget to taste the excellente wines of the Corbières. Lagrasse is one of the most beautiful villages of France.
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Narbonne

Narbonne, the old city, has been the harbour and government see of the province Gallia Narbonesis. She has impressive witnesses of her history, such as the bishop's palace, the cathedral Saint-Just, which is France's largest cathedral, wonderful uncompleted cloister. The nave is 40 m long! Adjacent to the cathedral you will find the « Palais des Archevêque », with the archeological museum and the museum for the history of arts.
The beautiful town hall is also located in the bishop's palace. Don't miss the 100 years old shopping hall at the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, once it was dedicated to the « Ladies of France ». In the centre of the old city you will see a part of the Via Domitia and its ancient road cover. The pittoresque Canal de la Robine connects Narbonne and the Mediterrenean Sea in 15 km distance.
Do not miss to visit the 100 years old, beautifully restored, halls.

Perpignan

She does is the Catalonian way. What wonder? During the 13th century the town has been the residence of the kings of Mallorca, and just in 1659 it joined France as part of the dowry of the Spanish princess Maria, who married one Louis XIV. Still today, Perpignan reminds you to one of those Spanish cities. While walking the small streets, visiting the many markets or just siting in one of the bodegas, you will find another world - Spain in France. 10 more kilometers, and you will enjoy the beaches of the Mediterrenean Sea. Don't miss the Campo Santo, one of France's oldest cemetries with gothic arcades and the graves of the rich. The cathedral St. Jean (1324) is said to be the most beautiful cathedral of the Mediterrenean region. The cloister is 48 m long. The king's palace suffers, as so many French places, from the French revolution - it is nearly empty.
The impressive Court of Honour shows the former luxury. And if you're interested in modern arts, than visit the Musée Hyacinthe-Rigau with pictures of Picasso, Dali, Maillol and South-American artists.

Toulouse

This old city is located on the banks of the river Garonne. It is a beautiful, colourful, modern, ancient, calm and loud town. Hightech industries, office towers, ancient palaces, churches, cathedrals, gourmet restaurants, bistros ... she is beautiful. Just go and walk the small streets, the bridges, brick dikes or the promenades. Toulouse's jewel is the Capitole with the wide court in front of it.
Only a few yards away, the Hotel de Bernuy (1504-1530) or the ancient pilgrimage church Saint-Sernin are waiting for you.
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Abbey de Fontfroide

This is Europe's largest abbey, located in the Corbières near the city of Narbonne. It was found in 1093 and is situated in a calm valley, surrounded by beautiful mediterrenean vegetation. During the 12th and 13th century Fontfroide has been the richest abbeye of the Languedoc. Take a guided tour, to find out more about Fontfroide's history. Today Fontfroide is private owned, and has been perfectly restored.

Canal du Midi

There are a lot of canals in this world - but only one became a world culture heritage: « le canal royal entre les deux mers », that is the official name it got, when Louis XIV., his ministre Colbert and Monsieur Riquet decided to fulfill what a dream has been since the times of the Romans. Started in 1666 the first ship was towed in 1681 from Séte to Toulouse.
A lot of things along this canal will remind you of the times of Riquet, the 300 years old trees (more than 100.000) form a huge umbrella above the water. Unsuccessful anglers along the banks, 64 old sluices in a 240 km long canal with 54 aqueducts and 126 bridges. Starting in Le Coustal just take a roundtrip on the nowadays plastered old tow routes that surround this beautiful city.

Carcassonne

Well, she is touristic, there are these souvenir shops that offer plastic stuff, the coffee is expensive, thousands of tourists - so what?! She is Carcassonne! She is a world cultural heritage, the centre of the cathars, she's a legend, her town wall is amazing. There are 38 towers, which surround this unique middle-age cité. This wall that surrounds the old cité is up to 1700 m long and sees 56 towers.
When Simon de Montford, the « butcher of the Languedoc » conquered that city, which had been the centre of the catharism, the heretics were expelled from here, after long, long inquiries in the Tour de l'Inquisition. The cathedral St.-Nazaire was build in 1269 and is very worth a visit. The Musée lapidaire houses Europe's oldest tombstone from the year 456.
The Cité's downtown located at the Canal du Midi is one of those typical French cities with nice coffee bars, bistros and shops.
Market day: Saturday
Distance to the French vacation rental: 35 km
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Château Lastours

The four castles of Lastours - Cabaret, Tour Régine, Surdespine, Quertinbeux - dominate the valley of the Orbiel in the Montagne Noir. Once the Sieurs de Cabaret granted refuge to the cathars, and the crusaders wouldn't overcome these huge walls - the poor people could. During the 17th century they took the stones to build their own houses.

Château de Quéribus

Quéribus in the centre of the Corbières - one of the five sons of Carcassonne - resisted for a long time against the crusaders. During the 11th century this castle (730 m high) has been a frontier-station, in later days it has been one of the vanishing points of the cathars. The castle consists of three fortifications, with a huge donjon and a beautiful gothic vault.

Château de Peyrepertuse

Der Anstieg zu dieser 796 m hoch gelegenen Burg gegenüber von Quéribus The access to this 796 m high castle takes your breath. This largest castle in the Pays des Cathars is surrounded by 2.5 km of walls, reminding you more of a town than of a château. During the 12th century the castle has been refuge for the leaders of the cathars. Guilhem de Peyrepertuse delivered this castle without any battle. It consists of three parts: two fortifications, the Donjon Saint Jordy and the Cour Basse. The stone stairs were build in 1242.
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Montségur

The mystic mountain of the Cathars and for two years being their refuge against the crusaders. Only a few managed to reach this castle but finally the cathars had to surrender.
One March morning in 1244 250 men, women, children, amongst them many parfaits, entered the stake. Still today it is a little uncanny up there. And the treasure of the Cathars: is it concealed in one of these caves over there?

Ermitage de Saint-Antoine

It is a great adventure to drive theGorges de Galamus with a motor bike or a vehicle. One will leave the Roussillon to enter the Languedoc. Passing the old vineyards of the Fenouillèdes one will enter this Gorges at Estagel (were the oldest grotto of France was detected). On the lefthand side you'll see a 2000 years old aqueduct, nobody knows where the Romans directed the water to. Suddenly you will see the old 15th century hermitage. Deep in the valley the river Orbieu runs.

Chalabre

The small town - approx. 25km distant of the french holiday home - is surtopped by the old Chateau de Mauleon. The shopping street is covered by old trees and middle age houses. This centre of the cathars has a beautiful market place and maintained its old halls. The church St. Pierre (1522) hosts the famous statue St. Elois (14th century). From the donjon of this once so called « cours d'amour » château you'll enjoy the overwhelming panorama of the Pyrenees. The stones of the vault in the tower show musicians and the museum Quercorb is dedicated to the history of this region and to the troubadours. Chalabre is the perfect starting point for a tour to the pays of the cathars

Lac Montbel

This beautiful lake, approx. 10 km from St.-Sernin, has been created in 1985, and soon it became the most favourite recreation area of the Departement Aude. It is beautifully situated in the Pays Cathars, its fauna and flora fascinates visitors and natives in like manner. This lake is a paradise for ornithologes.

They all like Lac Montbel: the sun-worshippers, families with children, aquatic sportsmen and women, anglers ... There are lot of aquatic sports - diving, sailing, wind surfing, canoeing (the canoe station is located at the River Blau), kayak, swimming, rowing ...
The variety of fishes in this lake will give pleasure to all anglers: trout, luce, perch, sheat-fish, rotengles ...)

More than 300 sunny days per year - this is a paradise for the sun-worshippers, while the children enjoy going by pedal or rowing boat. This lake in front of the middle age town of Chalabre will be the perfect stay during your holiday.