The Languedoc
The Languedoc is one of the most varied areas of France which make this area an all year round tourist attraction. You will find magnificent scenery with spectacular gorges and interesting villages. Explore the many historic sites and discover the land of the Cathar and Knights Templars.
There is wine tasting everywhere, numerous private caves and roadside vendors. Beautiful vineyards (Corbierres, Clape, Cabardes, Minervois, Malepere and Fitou). Nearby Limoux is famous for its sparkling blanquuette wine (a sparkling bottle-fermented wine that was being manufactured before they knew what sparkling wine was in Champagne).
Lagrasse is said to be one of the most beautiful villages in France and offers spectacular scenery and a huge choice of restaurants and good shopping.
The Etang de Layrolle offers some of the best windsurfing in Europe. Quillan provides a lot of open-air activities, including canoeing, rafting, rock climbing, country walks and cross country cycling. Both alpine and cross-country skiing is an hour and a half drive from Carcassonne.
The river Aude is not only beautiful to look at with its shady tree lined banks and graded cycle paths but there are also superb walking trails all along the banks of the river as it passes through Carcassonne.
The Mediterranean coast is easily reached in 45 minutes.
