the terrace canal du midi Magnificent Carcassonne

La maison du műrier

Quality village house in friendly wine village in Languedoc Roussillon, South of France

 
 

Raissac itself is a lovely calm place to be.

  • While away the afternoons reading books under the tree.
  • Join the locals in a jeu de boules in the lovely village park which is just around the corner.
  • Walk down to the river through the vineyards (it doesn't matter which direction you go for the village is surrounded by the Aude and the Orbieu.
  • Cycle up to the Canal du Midi on one of our bikes (it is shaded all of the way)

When you are ready for some sight seeing then you are spoiled for choice.

** l'Abbaye de Fontfroide - a restored Cistercian abbey founded in the 11th Century. Just outside Narbonne but tucked out of sight deep in a valley in the Corbieres surrounded by cypress trees.

*Sigean African Wildlife Reserve - 15km south of Narbonne. This safari park owes much of its unique character to the 300 hectares of wild coastal Languedoc land and housing more than 3,800 animals which have large areas set aside which resemble their native environment

**Basilique St-Nazaire Carcassonne- the first church would have been built in the 6th century under the Visigoths and King Theordoric. Documentation dates back to 925. The stained glass windows are considered to be the finest in the south of France

***La Cité in Carcassonne is a sight you simply must see. It is the largest fortress in Europe. It has been a World Heritage site since 1997.To visit is to be transported back seemingly to the Middle Ages (although it was restored in the 19th century.

**The Cathar Trail - an 117 km trail which includes numerous castles and castle ruins including the 'Five sons of Carcassonne' These precariously perched fortresses were places of refuge for Cathars fleeing the Inquisition. Don't miss the ***Chateau de Peyrepertuse.

Canal du Midi - this incredible feat of engineering which linked the Atlantic to the Mediterranean in the 17th Century is now a leisure paradise. Conveniently, the canal is just 5km from the house - an easy cycle ride or a short drive. Between Carcassonne and Beziers the canal winds its way through the countryside following the course of the river Aude.

***Toulouse - Bathed in Mediterranean light Toulouse can take on a variety of hues depending on the time of day, ranging from scorching red to dusky pink. Touluse was once the capital of those who spoke the langues d' oc. Now it is better known as the capital of the European space programme.

Cassoulet Trail - if you like French regional food (a la Rick Stein programme ) then a trip to Castelnaudary to try their famous cassoulet is a must do.

La Clape massif - once an island now la Clape towers above the sea offering some fabulous walks and wildlife, not to mention stunning sea views.

The lagoons - the Aude coastline has many salt water lagoons where traditional fishing methods are still practised. Watch the fishermen collecting oysters then try some with a glass of white wine on the quayside at Gruissan.

Visit the beach! The Mediterranean beaches are long and sandy and not too crowded Narbonne Plage is the nearest although Gruissan is prettier and Valras Plage near Beziers can be reached just as quickly along the autoroute.