Relax and enjoy

There is a wide variety of things to see and do for the whole family, including wine tasting at the numerous chateaux in the area. Why not visit one or more of the many fascinating markets? There's one every day of the week in high season - including the Halles du Marche in Narbonne (popularized when Rick Stein drooled over it in his recent TV series on the Canal du Midi). The canal itself is only 3 kms away and provides many beautiful walks and cycle rides as well as the opportunity for lazy days spent cruising in the dappled shade on one of the many boats for hire! There are also many historical places of interest to visit as we are in the heart of Cathar country and both Carcassonne and Narbonne are only half an hour away. We provide a weekly 'what's on' list for guests to ensure they don't miss out on anything happening locally which they might enjoy.

The area offers extensive sporting opportunities and we are 5 minutes from Lac de Jouarres where guests can windsurf, sail and fish as well as swim from the lake beach which has a lifeguard in high season. The wonderful flat, sandy Mediterranean beaches are only 40 minutes away and make an ideal day out. Golf can be arranged at the pretty course in Carcassonne where visiting players are always welcome. We also have to mention the five Championnat rugby teams within easy travelling distance (Narbonne, Beziers, Montpellier, Perpignan and of course the mighty Toulouse!) which make a visit for rugby fans a must when there's a good game on - the season here lasts from the end of August until early June so there's plenty of opportunity! We are happy to help guests to organise match tickets given sufficient notice.

Practically on the doorstep:
- Exploring the wilds of the Black Mountains and the Haut Languedoc National Park
- The medieval Cité at Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi. both UNESCO World Heritage sites
- The fortified village of Minerve
- Walking, fishing, wine tasting, tennis, horse riding, lake swimming, boating

Within an hour:
- The Cathar stronghold at Lastours
- Village markets at Mirepoix and Castelnaudary
- The elegant city of Narbonne
- The Mediterranean coast with its fabulous beaches
- Wind and kite-surfing and the lagoons of Bages and Leucate
- White water rafting on the river Orb
- The Neuf Ecluses (nine locks on the canal) at Béziers
- Cathar castles in the Corbières
- Discovering caves at Cabrespine and Limousis

Within 2 hours:
stylish cities of Toulouse and Montpellier
The Catalan city of Perpignan
Collioure and the Cote Vermeille
Skiing in the Pyrenees

Please refer to the activity packages listed to the right for events throughout 2008:

Painting courses