If you want to explore a little farther afield you’ll find there is plenty to divert you within easy driving distance.

Carcassonne has its own leisure resort at Lac Cavayere. Only 10 minutes drive from Les Troubadours, there are sandy beaches and safe shallow bathing areas with lifeguards from June to September. This beautiful lake also offers boating, a 5 km walk or cycle ride through the mediterrannean forest surrounding the lake, and other sporting activities such as volleyball and petanque.

  "Carcassonne Plage" at Lac Cavayere                        Narbonne Plage.  Superb even in January!

The Mediterranean coast is easily reached in 45 minutes on the motorway. Here you will find long stretches of golden sand, fishing ports, and the ancient towns of Beziers, Narbonne and Perpignan. Explore the tiny Occitan villages on the fringes of the great salt lakes. You can follow this coast all the way to the border with Spain (120kms) and skirting the base of the Pyrenees Orientales emerge on the Catalan side.

Mountains

Carcassonne sits in the river valley of the Aude sheltered from the North by the Montagnes Noires. Only 30 minutes drive from Carcassonne there are many hill top villlages to explore as you cross the wine producing territories of the Cabardes and the Minervois climbing gradually to the National Parc.

To the South East are the vineyards of the Corbieres. The high Corbieres can be reached in 15 minutes by car from Les Troubadours and there are many delightful villages and mountain valleys to explore. The renowned Abbey at St Hilaire is well worth a visit and there are wonderful forest trails in the hills above.

To the south are the Pyrenees. A feast for the eyes in any season, you can reach the foothills in one hour by car and be at 1,500 metres in an hour and a half. Andorra can be reached in two and a half hours.

Both alpine and cross country skiing are available within an hour and a half drive of Carcassonne. At 1,250 metres the Camurac alpine ski station is easily reachable for a day trip, and the resort of Col de Chioula at 1500 metres offers cross country ski hire and day passes as well as snow shoes and toboggans.  There are also picnic facilites, marked walking trails of varying length, and a restaurant with log fire and panoramic views of the mountain range.  The resorts of Les Angles, Puyvalador, and Les Monts D'Olmes are within 2 hours drive and provide for all disciplines and levels of ability.

In addition to Lac Cavayere at Carcassonne with its many sporting and leisure facilities, there are others further afield with sailing schools, monitored beaches, pony trekking, and bars and restaurants.

The river Aude is not only beautiful to look at, but there are also superb walking trails and picnic sites all along the banks of the river as it passes through Carcassonne. You can set out from Les Troubadours and make a circular walk of 7 kilometres walking upstream and crossing at the road bridge to pass back along the Quai Paicherou.

The River Aude at Carcassone- View from the Pont Vieux

At Alet Les Bains, a very picturesque stone built circular village with its own thermal spa, you can hire canoes to explore the river from the water and there is also a tree trop adventure park for the very energetic.

The Canal du Midi passes through the centre of Carcassonne, which has its own Port, and is our second UNESCO World Heritage Site providing the backdrop to the annual Spanish Festival (August) and "water jousting" tournament (September). With its shady tree lined banks and graded cycle paths it makes for an excellent day out. There are bicycles and river craft for hire. 

Hiking

In spring time there is no more wonderful experience than to simply climb up the hill to La Cite, and passing through the old cemetery, wander out into the vineyards beyond.  Spectacular views of the Pyrenees and the Black Mountains will inspire you to keep going, and soon enough you will find yourself in the Arboretum high above Carcassonne.  The dedicated hiker might then descend for a well earned splash in the lake before riding the bus back home to Carcassonne. 

If you are a dedicated hiker you will be hard pressed to choose from amongst a plethora of fabulous trails of varying length and difficulty in the remarkably rich and diverse environment that is Languedoc.  A guide is recommended and for groups of 4 or more we can introduce you to qualified and enthusiastic guides who will describe the flora, fauna and the local history as you go along.  Advance booking is necessary.