Below are just a few of the many interests in the area.
Cycling: Bikes can be hired and
delivered to the house. http://www.mellowvelos.com
Marseillette
Explore the area around the Villa. Around ‘L’Etang’
discover vineyards, apple orchards, rice paddy fields and explore
where figs and almonds grow plentiful in the wild. This is a great
jogging, walking and cycling area, as it is virtually traffic free.
Enjoy walking or cycling along the famous Canal Du Midi towpath
www.midicanal.fr taking in the villages and towns en route.
On Friday afternoons, the Marseillette Cave Cooperative is open
for you to sample the local wines offered at a fraction of UK
prices.
Carcassonne
Since 1997, the medieval city ‘La Cite’ of Carcassonne
has been designated as a World Heritage Site
by UNESCO. A fairy tale city which has over 2000 years of
history. Although most people head to ‘La Cite’ for its romantic
spires, fortification, restaurants and chic boutiques,
La Basse Ville is also worth exploring
and where you'll find the French playing out their daily lives. The
market square of Place Carnot with its
eighteenth century fountain is a particularly enjoyable place to sit
back and muse on passers-by.
Lac
de la Cavayère Carcassonne
It is a short distance from the town of Carcassonne and
has been made into a popular recreation area. The lake has good
beaches and quiet inlets. Ducks and wildfowl are common and the area
is notable for a diversity of habitats, flora and fauna. The beaches
slope gently and there are well supervised bathing areas. Boats are
available for rent and there are picnic areas and a crazy golf
course.
Trebes
Discover the Canal bank restaurants, tennis courts and
the bullring, where outside festivals and concerts can be enjoyed.
Opportunity to take short excursions along the Canal.
Lagrasse
A village which is famous for its Abbey, Medieval houses
and streets. Book and pottery fairs are held during the summer
months. There are numerous restaurants and sightseeing.
Minerve
This is another Medieval village nestled above a gorge
with an interesting history; arts; crafts and a good selection of
restaurants.
Le Somail
A charming village on the Canal du Midi with restaurants;
pretty houseboats; hat museum and antique shops. Here, you can hire
mountain bikes and small powerboats for leisurely short cruises.
Narbonne
The first Roman city built in France @ 120BC, located on
the Canal du Robine and home to a Medieval palace and cathedral.
With picturesque canal walks; many restaurants and an interesting
indoor market called ‘Les Halles’ which is open every day, selling
fresh fish, meat, fruit, cheese and local produce. From Narbonne,
take the tourist train to Bize Minervois.
http://bize-minervois.com/the-village-2/ a pretty village on
the River Cesse. Enjoy river swimming in the summer. Explore the
olive oil producer
Coopérative l'Oulibo
with guided tours of the production and shop.
Golf: Golf Club de
Carcassonne, Rte de St Hilaire, 11000. Tel: 0613 20 85 43 18 holes,
practice, clubhouse, equipment renting, lessons.
http://www.golf-de-carcassonne.com/
Tennis: Trebes (public
courts), directions from the tourist office
Local tourist office:
in Trebes http://www.tourisme.fr/tourist-office/trebes.htm,
in Carcassonne
http://www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/
Review: all the beaches of
Languedoc
http://www.creme-de-languedoc.com/Languedoc/beaches/index.php
Market days
Olonzac-Tuesday
Bize Minervois-Wednesday
Carcassonne-Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (best day)
St Chinian- Tuesday and Sunday (food, clothes, fabric, plants, local
produce) pretty medieval village
Lezignan Corbieres-Wednesday (large market)
Narbonne-Tuesday (clothes) Wednesday (general market) Thursday and
Sunday large market by the canal
