Aude (Languedoc-Roussillon)

We start our road trip in one of the oldest cities in France. Narbonne is the first settlement founded by the Romans outside Italy, then called Colonia Narbo Martius. Today, Narbonne is a pleasant town close to the Mediterranean Sea. The historical centre is perfect to explore on foot. The Cathédrale Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur is dedicated to the martyrs of the same name. In the 13th century, the construction of the grand cathedral began, but was never fully completed. The outbreak of the plague was certainly one of the reasons. On the same square as the cathedral, you will find the Archbishop's Palace. The Canal de la Robine is one of the most beautiful places in Narbonne. As a branch of the Canal du Midi, it connects Narbonne with the Mediterranean Sea. Walk or cycle along the sunny quays with old buildings. Les Halles de Narbonne have been a household name for over 100 years and are one of the most beautiful market halls in France. You can go there every day for fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and regional products.

Be sure to spend some time at the coast. Near Narbonne is the fishing town of Gruissan. Gruissan Plage, the old centre of the town, can be recognised by its extensive beaches and many restaurants. The beaches belong to the Parc Régional de la Narbonnaise en Méditerranée. In this nature reserve, you can expect a varied landscape: lagoons, sandy beaches, vineyards and the rocky massif of La Clape are waiting to be explored.

From Lastours, we drive via Mas-Cabardès to Montolieu. On the way, you can stop at Le Moulin à Papier de Brousses. Montolieu is the heart of the Cabardès wine region and is situated high on a rocky outcrop. The fortified village stretches over the rocky cliff between the steep valleys of the Dure and the Alzeau. Montolieu lived from the wool and linen industry for a long time, but is now known as 'Village du livre'. And the village owes this name to its 20 or so bookshops and bookbinders. Besides French books, you can also find English, German, Spanish and even Dutch literature. Be sure to wander through the gallery of second-hand books. Walk from bookshop to bookshop and discover the old streets of the village. In the Conservatoire des métiers du livre, or Michel Braibant Museum, you can learn everything about the history of books. You can also attend a bookbinding or calligraphy workshop. Besides books, the 14th century l'église Saint André will not escape your notice. The church has an impressive bell tower of 38 metres high. Not far from Montolieu, you will find l'Abbaye de Villelongue, a former Cistercian abbey, beautifully situated on the banks of the river, hidden between hundred-year-old trees.

Carcassonne, one of the most visited places in France, is an ancient fortified city through which both the Aude and Canal du Midi flow. Carcassonne has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. There are two striking parts in the city. The medieval Cité is connected with the lower city by two bridges over the Aude: the Pont Vieux and the Pont Marengo. Carcassonne was founded as a large fortified trading settlement in the 8th century B.C. and was given the name Carsac. A few centuries later and a few kilometres further, the Romans built the city of Carcaso. This settlement grew into an important city. After the crusade against the Cathars (1229), the city officially became part of France. Especially the medieval Cité appeals to everyone's imagination. The city walls loom up from afar. Especially in the high season, Carcassonne is a busy attraction. The Cité contains the castle of Château Comtal, 4 city gates, the basilica of St. Nazaire, 3 km long double city walls and 52 towers. So take time to visit all this and let yourself be overwhelmed by the medieval splendour. But also the Bastide of Ville-Basse, the lower part of the city, is worth a visit. It is the administrative and commercial heart of the city. You can eat and drink here and walk along the fountain of Neptune, the cathedral of Saint-Michel and the church of Saint-Vincent.

From Rennes-le-Château we drive deeper into the Pyrenees and start our tour along the castles and fortresses of the Cathars. First stop: the castle of Puivert. Puivert was attacked during the crusade against the Cathars, but is not one of the most impressive castles. However, of all the castle buildings from the first half of the 14th century in the region, Puivert is one of the best preserved. The castle radiates a kind of serenity. The large keep is completely intact and inside you will find four beautiful rooms, including the 'salle des Musiciens'. This room is decorated with eight sculptures of musicians, hence the name. After Puivert, we drive further to Quillan, a nice place with a very lively town centre with some restaurants on the central square. In Quillan, you can make beautiful walks through the mountains. We follow the river Aude further to Axat, a popular spot for sports lovers: rafting, kayaking, abseiling, canyoning, mountain biking or hiking, it is the ideal place for it. The next castle on the route is that of Puilaurens, one of the most important places in the history of Catharism. Puilaurens is situated high on a rock, built in the 11th century. After the fall of Montségur, many Cathars sought refuge here. When visiting, you can expect a steep climb, so don't forget to wear good shoes. The outer walls are certainly impressive and have withstood the ravages of time remarkably well. The view is also beautiful.

Between Quéribus and Peyrepertuse lies Cucugnan, a picturesque village with about 100 inhabitants. Cucugnan is a real wine village, surrounded by the vineyards of the Corbières. In the church, you will find the striking statue of the pregnant virgin Mary. Perhaps the name 'Cucugnan' rings a bell. The French writer Alphonse Daudet wrote about "Le curé de Cucugnan" in his collection of stories "Lettres de mon moulin", which catapults you back to French class at school. Father Martin lures the inhabitants of Cucugnan back to his church with a "sermon of thunder". As a result, Cucugnan became the most devout village in France. It is a lively village with many good eating places and some caves where you can taste various wines. A nice change after the castles. On the way to Lagrasse, you can stop at the castle of Aguilar, Villerouge-Termenès and the castle of Terme. Take a stroll around Lagrasse. Walk over the old bridge over the Orbieu, visit the market hall or the Benedictine abbey of Sainte-Marie l'Orbieu. Lagrasse has been known for more than ten years as one of the most beautiful villages in the Aude department. The abbey of Sainte-Marie l'Orbieu was probably founded around the year 778 and quickly became one of the most important abbeys in the south of France.