Languedoc - Roussillon South of France
Carcassonne and the area:
Nearby are a host of Castles Churches and other monuments from the time of the Cathar Crusades in southern France. Laure is just 20 minutes away from the city of Carcassonne, famous for its castle 'la Cite', the most complete structure of its kind in Europe. The walled city of Carcassonne dates back to the Gauls and was for centuries, one of the major fortress cities in the south west of France. The walled city of Carcassonne with its 52 towers is only a short drive to the south and no visit to this area should be contemplated without seeing this wonderful medieval town. Renovated in the 19th century, today it is a perfect example of a medieval walled city. Within its' walls, are narrow streets with shops and restaurants and the ramparts provide a breath-taking view of the city and plains below. Summer visitors will find a medieval 'Son-et-Lumiere' show, and the 14th July is a must to see, as well as festivals featuring music, drama and dance. The city is lit up every evening throughout the year and is a stunning sight.
La Cite
Cathar Castles
The region is famous for "les Chateaux du pays Cathare" and has many castles, towns and villages dating back over 800 years. Limoux, the town known for its Blanquette (Champagne style wine) is about 30 minutes from our village. Just past Limoux is the spa town of Alet les Balns and then Rennes Ie chateau, famed for its mysterious treasure. Montsegur, the last bastion of the Knights Templar, is within easy reach, as is the spectacular Gorge de Galaias. We are just over 40minutes from the beaches of Narbonne and Leucate to the East, also not too far from the Pyrenees, Andorra and Northern Spain. Toulouse is the nearest large city, with Perpignan, and both can be reached in an hour and a half, an ideal base for enjoying the wealth of activities, areas of interest and historic sites. Other activities include golf, go-carting and horse-riding. There is also a safari park, a bison farm and the shops, museums and churches of Toulouse and Albi.
Toulouse with its large shopping centre and international airport and within 30-60 minutes from the historic towns of Mirepoix, Foix, Revel, Lastours, Fanjeaux, Limoux and Castres. The quality of the light in southern France has long attracted painters and photographers. In this very agricultural area the landscape is coloured with the changing seasons and everywhere there are awe-inspiring views across the plains to the mountains.
There are several lakes within an hour of Carcassonne, which offer swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Canoeing and rafting are also available on the lakes and rivers in the mountains. Walkers of all levels are spoilt for choice with the enormous variety of hiking terrain both on the plain and in the mountains. The sunny days and cooler temperatures in Spring and Autumn are ideal for walking, cycling and mountain hiking.
In winter there are several ski stations 1-2 hours from Carcassonne. The Canal du Midi is close to Laure offering walkers and cyclists many kilometres of beautiful towpath to enjoy. Boats are available for hire by the day. Lovers of French markets are also spoilt for choice, whilst those who enjoy the odd glass of wine can take advantage of the 'degustation' offered by wine-makers throughout the region. The list of appellations includes: Corbieres, Minervois, Fitou, Malapere, and Fronton, plus the local 'bubbly' from Limoux.
Canal du midi
In October 1666, King Louis who was residing in Saint Germain en Laye, signed the edict which was co-signed by Colbert, ordering the construction of a canal whose purpose was to join the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
It wasn't until 1681, when there was a modest exchange of wheat and wines between the "high Languedoc" and the "low Languedoc" that the great adventure of The Royal Canal of the two seas and the Canal du Midi started.
Castnelnaudary and Villefranche du Lauragais became the main ones of wheat.
UNESCO has classed this work of art as a world heritage since 1997.
You have to have seen the entire work to appreciate the impact of the project started over 300 years ago by Pierre Paul Riquet.
Huge and impressive works have allowed the canal du Midi to be filled with water such as the damns of the Cammazes, Saint Ferreol in the Montagne Noire, not mentioning the digging work, hydrographine, topography, geology and architecture of that period.
If the barges carrying wine no longer go up the Canal from Sete to Bordeaux, The Canal still lives on today through river tourism which is very popular because it is relaxing.
Laure Minervois
Laure Minervois itself, has a post office, bar/restaurant, tabac/grocers, general store, bakers, butchers, chemist, doctors. There are also several private and co-operative caves for sampling the local wines and bars/restaurants and cafe's, plus supermarkets and convenience shops all within a 3 to 15 minute drive from the Domaine de Palatz at Laure, Caunes, Trebes, Villeneuve, Pyriac and Rieux.
Footpaths among the Capitelles in Laure Minervois.
These simple dry stone shelters bear witness to the old way of life in the countryside around Laure. The number and variety of capitelles invite walkers to discover the natural world, which changes according to the season. Spring is the most beautiful time.
The paths extend to 10 kms and are divided into four walks, which are designed to take about 45 minutes, an hour and a half, two and a half hours or three and a half hours for the full circuit. They start at the Avenue des Oliviers and return by the lake towards the oldest part of the village. These walks in the garrigue go through pine woods among holm-oaks, cypress, juniper, orchids, cystus, lavender and thyme among others, you will find 30 capitelles both square and round. Capitelles are small stone cabins. They were built frm material lying around the vineyards or fields of corn. The walls are between 0.70 and 0.80 cm thick, they almost always face south, and were used as pleasant daytime shelters for workers.
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