A perfect 5-day tour to discover this particular and beautiful part of Southern France.
If you are interested in discovering a mysterious but also attractive history, follow us in the Cathar Country! Walk in the steps of men and women whose tragic fate is still recorded and told.
While visiting the famous and fantastic Cathar places, be prepared to discover sublimes views over Carcassonne region and more.

Program    

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Day 1 Carcassonne

Arrival to Carcassonne for lunch in a restaurant of the medieval city. Taste a famous local dish: The Cassoulet.  

Then, enjoy a guided tour including the walls and curtain walls, the streets, but also St Nazaire Basilica.
Later in the afternoon, discover the panoramic view over the four Cathars Castles of Lastours, located at 11 miles at the north of Carcassonne.

Then drive back to Carcassonne for the dinner and accommodation in a 3*** hotel at the feet of the medieval city. 

Leave Carcassonne for an approximative 2 hours commented cruise aboard a barge over the Canal du Midi. Meanwhile you discover the Canal: pass over locks, the aqueduct bridge.
Crossing the gorgeous Minervois roads, reach the Cathar town of Minerve. 

Taste a regional dish for lunch.

Built on a rocky peak at the confluence of the Cesse and the Brian. Minerve is part of the association of the most beautiful villages in France, and was a key place of resistance during the Crusade of Albigensian.
Visit Minerve and then stop at the vineyard of a vine-grower who will make you discover the Minervois wine.
Enjoy a nice moment and of course, a wine tasting.

Day2 Minerve – The Canal du Midi

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Day 3 Cathar Castle

Drive along the Aude valley to reach and discover the impressive Cathar Castles, located in the High Corbières mountains: The Vertigo Fortresses. Enjoy a view over Limoux, Quillan and The Pierre-Lys gorges.
Visit the Queribus Cathar castle built on a rocky peak overlooking the Roussillon plane and the Corbières. It was the last refuge for the Cathars during the Albigensian Crusade.

In the village of Cucugnan, enjoy a regional lunch, before seeing a particular statue of the pregnant Virgin and the windmill. 

Then drive to the castle of Peyrepertuse, the most important and best-preserved example of military architecture in Languedoc. Comments from the guide at the bottom of the castle. 
Conclude the day enjoying a wine tasting. Taste the famous sweet natural wine in  “Les Vignerons de Maury” cellar.

Drive back to the hotel. Dinner and night.

Today first stop in Mirepoix, a medieval town that preserved its covered galleries and its covered market.
Drive in direction of Montsegur castle, last place of refuge for the Cathars during the crusade of the Albigensian.

Enjoy a regional dish for lunch.

Then reach Puivert castle, featuring sculptures of musicians. Visit the museum to know more about medieval music and instruments.

Return to Carcassonne for dinner and night.

Day4 Mirepoix – Montsegur

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Day 5 Fontfroide Abbey

Located closer to Narbonne, visit the Cistercian abbey of Fontfroide and its roses garden. This private abbey features an interesting mix of ancient and modern art.

End of our services after the lunch.


 
Do you need more information or wish a customized program?
Call us on +33 434 53 57 66 

 

Usefull information

More information on our blog about Cathar Castle
 


These prices include :
    • accommodation in a 2** hotel, half-board (breakfast, dinner drinks not included),
    • entrance fees to monuments and sites of the program and also wine tasting,
    • the lunches,
    • full-day guide services on days 2 and 3, guided tours of Carcassonne, Minerve and Fontfroide,
    • driver’s cost included.
These prices do not include :
    • the transport (contact us),
    • personal expenses,
    • cancellation insurances (contact us),
    • what is not mentioned in the program,
    • single room: 140€/person.