Citadels and Castles

Our nearest local town, Carcassonne, is only 15 mins away and is famous worldwide for its impressive mediaeval citadel, which is the largest in Europe. Founded during the Gallo-Roman period, the Cité is on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. A trip to the citadel for an afternoon is a must, and we advise you to walk along its 3km of ramparts to discover its buzzing centre full of vibrant restaurants, cafés, and shops. Another fantastic way to spend a day is to rent a barge and slowly make your way down the sunny Canal du Midi – one of the oldest man-made waterways in Europe, which is dotted with beautiful bridges and an aqueduct.

The region is also famed for its rich Cathar heritage. The Cathars were part of a Christian dualist movement that was persecuted by the Catholic Church between the 12th and 14th centuries. Many of the ruins of the wars against the Cathars are still visible today, including the magnificent castles of Quéribus and Montségur, both perched on the side of precipitous drops in the last folds of the Corbières mountains. There are also many beautiful abbeys within the area.