Local Attractions
Things to do in the Cabardès in the South of France
For further information on these attractions listed below please click on our links page.
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Cabardès wine
 A geologist's dream, a
balance of east and west,
the sun and the coolness the
heathland and the mountain.
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Wine The Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine growing area in the world. You won't find a better region in France for wine tasting- the wines here are
not only good, they're also very interesting.
The Cabardès is the only label to blend a minimum of 40% of Atlantic grapes - Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc - a minimum of 40% of Mediterranean grapes - Syrah, Grenache - and a maximum of 20% of Cot and Fer Servadou grapes. This makes an original, balanced, harmonious wine
with a rich colour.
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October grape harvest
 A return to the old tradition
of using horses.
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A few ideas to tempt you!
Carcassonne has 2500 years of history and has the privilege of having two UNESCO World Heritage sites:
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‘La Cite’ a fairy-tale
medieval castle
at Carcassonne 35 mins
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The Canal du Mid 241 km long, a great engineering feat of the 17th century 15 mins | ||
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Wine tasting at
local vineyards
10 - 35mins
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Hidden, perched
medieval villages with
ancient churches 5 - 30 mins
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Relax or swim in in one of 6 tranquil mountain lakes
20 - 35mins
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Walk in the surrounding area
in some of the largest and most beautiful woods France, all year!
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THE TOUR DE FRANCE 2016: DEPARTS FROM CARCASSONNE THE 13 JULY
Catharism was a dissident religion developed in the 13th century which spread to Languedoc. The Albigensian Crusade (1209) was
a war fought against this Cather religion which was eradicated in the 14th century but you can still visit these castles today.
The Cabardès was named after the Lords of Cabaret who defended the 4 Châteaux at Lastours against Simon de Montfort in 1209,
and the châteaux were a centre of Cather religious activity during the 13th century.
The Montagne Noire is an unspoilt region where nature truly is at its best, and there really is something for everyone.
A weekend, a few days away or a week or two, for two or with the family or friends, there is so much to see
in this beautiful diverse region close to Carcassonne but away from the crush of tourists.
| 'La Cite' at Carcassonne UNESCO site 1997 A fairy-tale castle: 52 towers, 3 kilometres of ramparts. It's the largest medieval city in Europe | ||||
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Jousting tournaments
are held in August
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The largest firework display on Bastille Day July 14th
held outside of Paris
since1898
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Summer Festival 2nd
week in June until
August 120 spectacles
with 80 free concerts!
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Carriage and
trains rides
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Restaurants and
bars & shops
in quaint
lanes and squares
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Le Canal du Midi UNESCO site 1996 At 241 km long it was considered to be one of the greatest construction works of the 17th century
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Flora &Fauna Quite country lanes lead you through
unspoilt countryside at every turn the views change
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At Carcassonne
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La Prise d'Alzeau
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Wild orchids (over 40 species), autumn and summer mushrooms, flowers
and herbs, birds; buzzards, egales and animals; wild boar, deer, badgers etc.
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Medieval Châteaux Cather in the Cabardès See romantic medieval
Cather Chateaux, 'castles in the sky'...
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Fishing There are several lakes and rivers nearby. | ||||
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Lastours 4 castles
in a spectacular
setting
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Hautpoul, small castle,
museum and
medieval garden.
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Saissac castle
dating from the
960 & church
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Near to 6 mountain lakes
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Rivers criss-cross
the region
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Medieval Villages-perchés-en-Montagne-Noire There are over 2000 hidden villages across the Mountain Noire. |
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Latourette-Cabardès
St Anne's
church has an
oval bell tower
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Miraval-Cabardès
a pretty
mountain village
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Mas-Cabardès church
in the Orbiel valley
built on the site of a
monastery
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Roquefere with
its X11th century
Château
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Cubserviès hamlet
perched high up with
a 90m waterfall
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| Mountain lakes Where you can take walk, swim or relax and unwind with a picnic! | |||||
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Lake Saint Férréol and
Canal du Midi museum 35 mins
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Lac des Montagnès
+ Aventure Park 20 mins
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Cavayere Lake near Carcassonne with 2 beaches
+ an acro-branch adventure park 35 mins
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Lake Laprade 20 mins | ||
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Spectacular countryside Drive on traffic free country roads, walk in beautiful woods.
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Superb views from
Le Pic de Nore (1210m)
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Paths cross-cross
the region
a hikers paradise
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Rivers criss-cross
the area and feed
the Canal du Midi
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Sunflowers of
the Cabardès
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Diverse scenery | |
| Golf | Paper mill | Abbeys | Museums | ||
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4 Courses at Carcassonne,
Bézier, Mazamet
and Castres
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At Brousses the last
paper mill in Languedoc
with a botanical walk 10 mins
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A Cistercian Abbey at Villelongue 23 mins |
Montolieu Book Village;
+ print Museum, arts and crafts 20 mins
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Albi Toulouse-Lautrec Museums + Cathedral and shops 1h35 mins | |
| Walks in the Cabardès | ||||
| A calm region with unspoilt coutryside | ||||
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| Forests | Le Parc Regional du Haut Languedoc |
Nearly 4000 km
of hiking trails.
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Lakes | Le Canal du Midi |
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Markets Vibrant markets piled high with fresh local produce
Market close by 1pm
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Vide greniers From Spring till Autumn there are car
boot sales where you may still pick up a bargain!
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Carcassonne at
Place Carnot on Saturday
23 mins
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Revel on Saturdays
one of the best in
France 45 mins
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Mirepoix on Mondays
in the beautiful medieval
town square 1h
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Olonzac on Tuesday
traditional producers, fruit,
vegetables, flowers 1h
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Sundays car boot sales
(vide-greniers),
in surrounding villages
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Discover the Black Mountain on foot, by bike or on horseback!
Between Rigole and lakes, forests and waterfalls, go for unforgettable walks!
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Walk in unspoilt woods.
See nature awaking in spring,enjoy beautiful
summer walks
or amazing autumn colours
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Cycling in the Cabardès
The Montagne Noir is a road cyclists' heaven offering challenging climbs,
high speed descents and gentle rolling terrain to spin out the legs on virtually
traffic free roads. Many professional teams from around the world choose to cycle and train in this region. A lot of VTT-routes and hiking routes are available. In the Montagne Noir you can enjoy the peacefulness and the fresh air. You pass many authentic villages that look as if time stood still....
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Mushroom collecting
in the autumnin
the surrounding
unspoilt woods.
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Le Parc Régional du Haut Languedoc
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The Haut-Languedoc enjoys a privileged
geographical situation: with its wealth of lakes,
gorges, valleys, peaks, villages, and landscape.
Animal species such as the Bonelli's Eagle,
otters, bighorn sheep from Corsica, the Genet,
and bats are protected.
Among the plant species, are carnivore sundews,
and wild orchids.
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Variety and diversity
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Walks and excursions
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Carnivore plants
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Annual Events
Just some of the events that take place
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The night sky
Light pollution is low away from the bight lights, so you can see ten times as many stars as you would in many other parts of Europe. This year, the Nights of the Stars will take place on 7, 8 and 9 August 2016. |
| Fetes Summer in the South of France is full of festivals and fairs, there are hundreds the French need no excuse!! |
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Cherry Fete at Trausse
3rd weekend in May
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Melon Fete at
Pezens 3rd
weekend in July
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Cassoulet Fete lasts 5 days at Castelnaudary
the 3rd week in August
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Onion Fete at Citou 1st weekend in
September
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Chestnut, Wine & Lamb
Fete, at Villardonnel
1st weekend in November
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| Limoux | Lastours | Montolieu | Lastours | Carcassonne |
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The world’s longest
carnival every
weekend
January to March
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A sound and light show
Thursdays
in July/August
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Artists day;
3rd weekend in September |
Archery contest
1st weekend in
October
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Wine Festival of
Carcassonne
end of the 2nd week
in October
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| European Heritage Days. The 3rd weekend 17 & 18 September |
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| Visits Free of charge; | Museums | Gardens | Dry stone capitals | Chateaux |
| Farm to farm. Open day in La Montagne Noire. The first weekend in October | ||||
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Visit local farms, and
taste their produce
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Chevrerie du Colombier
Goat Farm
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Picarel le Haut Saissac
Deer Farm
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Le Moulin de Fontes
Olive Farm
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Les Lamas de la
Montagne Noire
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The Magic of Christmas at Carcassonne and La Cite
From the 1st weekend in December till the 1st weekend in January there is a full programme
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La Magie de Noel.
On Christmas Eve,
share in the magic
of the fireworks
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Markets at Carcassonne.
Explore the streets with
fair rides, performers,
concerts and dance.
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Ice skating in Carcassonne
at Place Carnot, and a
sledging slope.
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Fête de la Saint-Nicolas.
Torch light parade from
La Cite to Carcassonne
6th December.
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Carcassonne lively
Christmas markets
featuring regional
produce and crafts.
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Truffles Markets 'Black Gold' of the Montagne Noire in Cather Country
Truffle markets are held from December to March (the Black winter truffle, it is the Queen of truffles...) + one in June.
The best market is the wine and truffle market at Moussoulens held the 3rd Sunday in January it is the largest truffle-and wine-based festival and gastronomic day in Languedoc-Roussillon.
Ever wanted to learn about truffles; demonstrations, tasting and auctions, buy if you dare!
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The truffle is the result of the fruiting body of an underground mushroom (Hypogeal). By Mid-October, the truffles have reached their final size, and the truffle growers harvest them from December to March. Three villages Villeneuve-Minervois, Cabrespine and Trassanel make up an area known as The Golden Triangle
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Truffles Markets 2016-17 http://www.maisondelatruffedulanguedoc.com The markets start in the mornings and truffle the auctions happen at 11.30am prompt. |
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| Saturday | 15 December 2018 | 'Truffes et Terrior' | Moussoulens 21 min |
| Saturday | 22 December 2019 | 'Truffes et Terrior' | Talairan 1h14 min |
| Friday | 29 December 2019 | 'Truffes et Terrior' | Villeneuve-Minervois 29 min |
| Friday | 27 December 2018 | 'Truffes et Terrior' | Moussoulens 21 min |
| Saturday | 12 January 2019 | 'Truffes et Terrior' | Talairan 1h14 min |
| Saturday | 19 January 2019 | 'Truffes et Terrior' | Villeneuve-Minervois 29 min |
| Sunday | 27 January 2019 | Ampélofofies du Cabardès with local products (auctions 14.30) | Mousslens 21 min |
| Saturday | 2 Febuary2019 | 'Truffes et Terrior' | Talairan 1h14 min |
| Saturday | 9 Febuary 2019 | "Nuit de la Truffe" | Villeneuve-Minervois 29 min |
| Sunday | 10 March 2019 | 'Truffes et Patrimonie' | Cabrespine 38 min |
| Samedi | 24 June2017 | Marché aux Truffes fête d'été et du Terroir | Roullens 40 min |
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The fête of Cuxac-Cabardès is held mid August (dates for 2019 to be confirmed) In August Cuxac-Cabardès comes alive with the largest fete in the Cabardès
lasting 4/5 days until the early hours of the morning.
It takes place just below our house; it is noisy but fun!
Evening of Tapas & band
Pétanque & dance
Diner, cabaret & dance
Pétanque & spectacular fire work display
Children can also enjoy the small funfair open in the afternoons and evenings.
Diner, cabare t & danceALL ARE WELCOME! We can book your ticket for the meal for you,
all this for about €15...
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??/08/2018
Diner, cabaret & dance
There is a village meal with local specialities;
A 3 course meal: Cassoulet or paella etc. and wine, whilst
watching a 2 hour spectacular Cabaret show!
The evening finishes with a disco and dance till the early hours!
ALL ARE WELCOME! We can reserve your tickets for you.
All this for about 15€
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15/08/2018
There is an amazing firework display, it finishes
with an embrace of the old village ramparts,
depicting the burning of the Cather villages during the
Cather Crusade (1209 - 1229)
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Chez Providence Chambres et Table d’Hôtes + Studio
Arrival day: Our rooms are available from 5pm – 10pm.
Departure day: Please vacate your bedroom by 10.30am.
If you need to arrive or depart outside of these times please let us know in advance.
Thank you for your understanding
TVA non applicable, article 293 B du CGI
No. Siret: 504 843 715 00013