History and Beauty with Gentle or Energetic Excercise
Out and About Activities
Known as the Cathar country, the Ariège and the Aude region is unspoilt and has a great deal to offer for the adventurous or curious visitor. Steeped in history and beautiful ever-changing scenery, touring and exploring the area is a joy and full of variety and surprises.
As well as the Cathar Castles to explore, there are caves, chateaux, numerous interesting villages such as nearby Camon and nature parks. Local food and wine of the area can be enjoyed and an active artisan community makes for interesting markets and Festivals.
Just 8km away is the medieval Mirepoix, a beautiful walled town with 14th century cloisters, cathedral and market and about 60km via Limoux is the Cité of Carcassonne (its medieval centre was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997).
If you like outdoor activities, within about half an hour’s drive you can go swimming at Lac Montbel or in the lake beneath the castle at Puivert. You can go walking and hiking both nearby or for daytrips to the mountains and within reach there’s horse riding and cycling – even karting or parachute jumping!
For fans of the Tour de France on 16th July 2013 it is but a short drive to a part of the route of Stage 8 from Castelnaudery through Limoux and on to Quillan.
The Mirepoix region makes an ideal area to spend time exploring the many different landscapes between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.