Top 10 things to do around Carcassonne

It’s impossible to stay in the Aude without visiting Carcassonne, a medieval village listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cité boasts 52 towers and two concentric enclosures totalling 3km of ramparts! A large part of the Cité is open to the public day and night.

In the middle of a forest, surrounded by large granite boulders, discover the magic of paper at the last Paper Mill in Languedoc. With fun tours, workshops and courses for children, this is a wonderful place for the whole family. Climbing the rocks or crossing the new footbridge below the river, several hikes start from the Moulin and offer unique views of the Pyrenees.

Stroll through the narrow streets of this charming village and immerse yourself in the world of books and the arts. Throughout the year, numerous artists exhibit their paintings, sculptures, photographs and crafts. The former Cave coopérative, now a museum, houses the rich and astonishing Cérès Franco collection.

Visit this exceptional archaeological site, which features 4 castles at an altitude of 300m overlooking the village of Lastours. It’s a beautiful hike (about 3 hours’ walk) with magnificent panoramic views!

Every year, the Grotte de Limousis welcomes some 27,000 visitors.

Although the cave has been occupied by prehistoric man and cave bears (scratches on the walls), it’s the numerous concretions that are best appreciated during the 45-minute guided tour. Over a kilometer-long course, 5 rooms (Columns, Ball, Lac Vert, Disks, Grand Lac) and 2 lakes are waiting to be discovered. And the best is yet to come, with the 4-metre-high, 10-metre-circumference Aragonite Chandelier, the cave’s treasure.

Its dimensions are so exceptional that it is even referred to as a giant chasm. At 400 metres deep, it’s the largest converted chamber in the underground world! It could contain the Eiffel Tower. The chasm was only discovered in 1968, and opened to the public in 1988. During the 45-minute guided tour, you’ll appreciate not only the gigantic size of the cavity, but also its superb aragonite and calcite crystals . Walk on a glass balcony with 200 metres of space beneath your feet, and you’ll feel the chills!

This Cathar castle is one of the least known, and yet it’s the oldest and one of the largest, with a fortification dating back over 900 years!

At the entrance to this small, picturesque village, take in the breathtaking panorama of the Carcassonne plain, the Lauragais region and the Pyrenees mountain range!

Take a dizzying ride 70 m above the ground on the footbridge, which leads to 2 signposted trails to discover our historical and natural heritage. The Mazamet footbridge promises thrills and spills and is a unique experience in the Occitanie region. Combine with a visit to the Maison du Bois et du Jouet.

Villelongue Abbey, near Montolieu, 12 km from the campsite. To be combined with the discovery of Montolieu, village of books and arts, and a visit to the Cérès Franco museum.

Whether you opt for a bike ride along the canal or a barge cruise through the locks, or rent a boat for a family trip to Carcassonne, the Canal du Midi will enchant you with its calm and serenity. You can also choose to visit the origins of the Canal du Midi by discovering the Rigole at La prise d’Alzeau, in the heart of the Montagne Noire.