THE LAND OF THE CATHARS

AUDE, FRANCE

In a few words...

WE WILL TRAVEL AT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE PYRENEES MOUNTAIN AND AROUND THE MEETING POINT OF THREE DEPARTMENTS: AUDE, ARIEGE AND PYRÉNÉES ORIENTALES, IN THE REGION OF OCCITANIE, IN SOUTHERN FRANCE. WE WILL WALK ALONG SOME SCENIC PATHS TO DISCOVER HIDDEN GEMS OF NATURAL CURIOSITY: CANYONS GORGES DE GALAMUS, GORGES DE BRION AND GEORGES DE LA FRAU, THE GREEN LABYRINTH OF NEBIAS AND MORE. THEN WE WILL ASCENT TO DISCOVER MEDIAEVAL CATHARS CASTLES PERCHED ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS: MONTSEGUR, ROQUEFIXADE, QUERIBUS AND PEYREPERTUSE. WE WILL VISIT TWO UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES: THE MEDIAEVAL CITY OF CARCASSONNE AND CANAL DU MIDI. IN THE CHARMING TOWN CALLED MIREPOIX WE CAN ENJOY CHEERFUL ATMOSPHERE OF AN ARTISANAL MARKET DAY AND MORE.

Program

  • DAY 1

    Saturday, Roquetaillade. After a two hours drive from Toulouse we will arrive in the county of Razes, in the Aude department. We stay here for seven nights, near the picturesque village Roquetaillade with the ruins of a mediaeval castle. Our accommodation is located in the middle of a renowned organic wine estate. This afternoon we can enjoy a circular walk to explore nearby surroundings and from the Pic de Brau admire panoramic views including the Pyrenees Mountain towering over the region (10km). Before dinner we can discover and taste the wines of Jean-Louis Denois.

  • DAY 2

    Sunday, Roquetaillade. On our trip to Ariege we will witness complex geology and an extreme variety of landscape. In the town of Puivert, high above the lake and on the top of the hill stands the 12th century Puivert Castle. It was one of the meeting points of mediaeval artists known as Troubadours. Arriving in Ariege we go for a circular walk around the romantic ruins of Roquefixade (7km). With the views over the Monts d’Olmes we enjoy with our picnic. On our way back but still in Ariege we will climb to the ruins of Montsegur Castle, probably the most celebrated of all Cathars castles. Its tragic history has inspired many different stories and legends.

  • DAY 3

    Monday, Roquetaillade. We visit the ancient bastide town of Mirepoix, with its characteristic medieval timber-frame houses and the Gothic cathedral being the second single-naved church in Europe. Monday in Mirepoix is the big artisanal outdoor market day. In a nearby and tiny village of Vals we will visit a curious troglodyte church, listed among 100 wonders of the Pyrenees. Then by the Chateau de Coudeval we start a circular walk offering panoramic views over the Montagne Noire and Pyrenees (5km).

  • DAY 4

    Tuesday, Roquetaillade. On this day trip we will travel to the Corbieres-Fenouillèdes Natural Regional Park. There will be a walk to the impressive castle ruins of Peyrepertuse meaning Pearced Rock. This vertical citadel contains two castles; the lower one built in the 11th century by the kings of Aragon and the higher part constructed by the French King Louis IX. This fortress was also inhabited by the Cathares and offers panoramic views over the Corbieres region including the Mediterranean Sea. In the town of Duilhac we enjoy lunch in the ancient water mill converted into a restaurant. Then we visit the Queribus Castle, often considered as the last Cathares stronghold. This isolated castle, perched on the top of the rock is referred to as Eagles Nest. It is facing majestic Canigou Mountain, so called the Fujiyama of Catalonia. In the region of Fenouillèdes we walk into the grandiose canyon of the Gorges de Galamus.

  • DAY 5

    Wednesday, Roquetaillade. At the foothills of the Pyrenees in the village called Nebias we begin our circular walk known as the Green Labyrinth (8km). This surprising geological curiosity is a mysterious karstic maze of limestone, roots and moss, and the source of many local legends. If you ever wanted to visit a place that looks like the Fangorn Forest made famous in Lords of the Rings, the labyrinth will enchant you. The afternoon will consist a visit to the Dinosaur Museum in Esperaza. Museum exhibits at least 35 different species of dinosaurs, mounted skeletons and life-size models. The most famous of them is the very well preserved and impressive size Ampelosaurus atacis specimen. It was discovered 20 years ago in the neighbourhood and nicknamed Eva from the student who discovered it first.

  • DAY 6

    Thursday, Roquetaillade. Both places we will discover today, are listed among the Unesco World Heritage Sites: the Medieval City of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi. Since the pre Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne stands. In its present form it is an outstanding example of a fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its narrow streets and its fine Gothic cathedral. The second site is the Canal du Midi, where we can enjoy our lunch on its banks and have an easy walk along this picturesque waterway (13km). The canal is considered as one of the greatest construction works of the 17th century. It connects the Mediterranean Sea with Toulouse. It is 250km long and contains 65 operating locks.

  • DAY 7

    Friday, Roquetaillade. We will start this circular walk in the town of Couiza and walk to the hilltop village called Rennes-le-Château. The mystery of the strange Abbot Sauniére still hovers and its internationally known conspiracy theories surrounding a putative buried treasure made it famous by the Da Vinci Code. In the neighbouring village of Rennes-le-Bains where bathers have enjoyed the natural hot spring waters for thousands of years we can enjoy our lunch. On the way back we will visit the refined 14th century castle of Arques. As it is our last afternoon we can just rest and relax around our estate.

  • DAY 8

    Saturday, Roquetaillade. On our return way to Toulouse we will visit the town of Castelnaudary. As it is famous for cassoulet, of which it claims to be the world capitol, let us taste it. If you wish to be dropped off in Montpellier we can visit an impressive Fontfroide Abbey and its gardens, a former Cistercian monastery founded in the 11th century. There we can enjoy our picnic.

Informations

Dates

From Saturday 18th till Saturday 25th of March 2023.
From Saturday 24th of June till Saturday 1st of July 2023.
From Saturday 21th till Saturday 28th of October 2023.

Payment

Booking this trip I would ask you to transfer an account payment of 10% of the price, which is an amount of 160 euros. With this money I will prepay our accommodation and this deposit is non-refundable. The remaining 90% (1440 euros) should be transferred within one month before the trip. Thank you.

Departure & arrival

Our meeting point is at the International Airport in Blagnac, Toulouse. As we are meeting in the morning it would be convenient for you to arrive there day before and stay for the night in one of the hotels in Blagnac. We can end our trip at the same place or I could drop you off in Montpellier.

Opel Vivaro mini bus (8 passengers seats and spacious luggage room).

Accomodation

For all 7 nights we stay in area of a picturesque Roquetaillade village with the ruins of medieval castle. Our accommodation is situated in the middle of a renowned organic wine estate Domaine de Borde Longue. It is a large and at the same time cosy, beautifully restored farmhouse, a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. Guaranteed tranquility. This remote property is equipped with an outdoor jacuzzi, private outdoor pool (open during the summer), BBQ and many play areas (table football, billiards, swing…). This ancient sheepfold is very comfortably furnished and surrounded by gardens and flower spaces. The house has large living rooms, verandas, terraces, 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. All rooms are individual.

Food

We shall provide you with fresh, local, organic products as much as possible.

Group

Between 6 and 8 people.

Price

The price is 1600 euros per person in a group between 6 and 8 people.

The price includes : my guiding and driving, accommodation, all meals (including 3 lunches in restaurants), tickets entrance, wine tasting and map of region.

The price does not include : your personal insurance and beverages.

Bon voyage !