Pennautier Castle
The Château de Pennautier, an Occitan treasure
In the heart of the Languedoc region, 15 km from your campsite, the Château de Pennautier opens its doors to you. This magnificent building has been described as the “Little Versailles of Languedoc”, its classical architecture being so reminiscent of the château of the Sun King.
History of Château de Pennautier in the Aude department
It dates from the 17th century but has been altered several times.
Construction of the elegant château began in 1620. King Louis XII stayed here, donating his travel furnishings, which are still kept at the château. Pierre-Louis de Pennautier, heir to the estate, undertook major extension work in 1670, which he entrusted to the great Le Vau and Le Nôtre, architects of Versailles.
This large landowner was Treasurer of the States of Languedoc and Receiver General of the Clergy of France. He was Colbert’s most trusted advisor for the Languedoc region, and received support for the construction of the Canal du Midi and the creation of royal cloth factories in the Montagne Noire.
When he died, having no children of his own, the château passed to his nephews, the Beynaguet family, who had plans for the château. But the transformations were not completed until 1847. In the meantime, the revolution had passed through without the château suffering, as the Beynaguet family had embraced revolutionary ideas.
The château was embellished with Italian-style mosaics and an English-style park that can still be admired today.
In 1921, renovation work was carried out and the new owners, the Count and Countess de Lorgeril, undertook to extend the vineyards to make a true wine estate. Their descendants continue the family tradition to this day.
Visit the castle
You have free access to the gardens.
The park is open all year round, free of charge, from September 18 to April 29, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
But you can also opt for a guided tour of the château and the King’s bedroom on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11am.
9euros adults / 5euros children
For wine lovers
Enjoy wine tasting and sales at the Cave du Château de Pennautier (De Lorgeril vineyard).
You can also treat yourself to a meal at a château listed as a historical monument.
Click here to book your cottage or camping pitch.
Villelongue Abbey
The Cistercian abbey of Sainte-Marie de Villelongue, now a private estate, is located in the commune of Saint-Martin-le-Vieil, between Carcassonne and Castelnaudary, just 15 km from your campsite in the Aude.
Today, it’s a ruined abbey, but still boasts a beautiful cloister, adorned with ornate capitals characteristic of the Languedoc Southern Gothic style.
Construction began in 1180 when the monk Guillaume received a donation from the Order of Citeaux.
It soon became powerful thanks to the support of Simon de Montfort, the lord at war with the Cathars, who rewarded the monks for their support in his crusade against the Albigensians by giving them a large amount of land and the village of Saint-Martin-Le-Vieil.
Thanks to its riches, the monks were able to embellish and enlarge it for two centuries.
But in the 14th century, with the plague raging in the region, the Abbey saw its last hours of glory and the poorly managed estate became impoverished.
During the French Revolution, the Abbey was partly saved and sold as national property to Guillaume Boussac, who transformed it into a farm, with the ruins on one side and the abbey dwelling transformed into a group of houses on the other. The complex was never reunited, and belonged to several owners who undertook work from 1916 onwards, the year the Abbey was listed as a Monument Historique.
Renowned for its magnificent ornate capitals detailing carvings of human or animal heads, the Abbey also boasts large Gothic windows, beautiful cross-arches and the remains of a rose window.
Today, the family who own the property organize concerts in the gardens during the summer season to bring this unique heritage to life.
In these gardens, you can enjoy the serenity of the surroundings: bird aviaries, water features, wickerwork and gourd gardens make up this natural area, where it’s good to stroll back in time to the distant past of the monks and their songs.
book your leisure accommodation for your vacations in Aude at your campsite near Villelongue
Information
Villelongue Abbey
11170 Saint Martin le Viel
04.68.24.90.38
http://www.abbaye-de-villelongue.com
camping villelongue
Languedoc wines appellation Cabardès
Your campsite is located in the heart of the Cabardès vineyards, an AOC appellation covering 550 hectares of vines south of the Montagne Noire, close to your Le Martinet Rouge campsite. The soil is not very fertile, but is particularly well-suited to quality production.
Cabardès is the only wine that blends grape varieties of both Mediterranean and Atlantic origin: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for the Atlantic, and Syrah and Grenache for the Mediterranean.
The dominance of strong winds from the Atlantic Ocean provides the maritime air that allows the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varieties to flourish, giving this wine its characteristic taste, with structured tannins and aromas combining fruit such as blackcurrant and plum with notes of smoke and leather… while the southern grape varieties, which appreciate the sun, flourish in the warm, dry Mediterranean climate. On the nose, these crus give off scents of garrigue, spices and liquorice.
The Cabardès appellation, anAude wine to be enjoyed absolutely (in moderation!)
Cabardès wines
Cabardès, under the cross winds of east and west, takes on a singular balance, developing in its aroma all the sweetness of the Mediterranean with the vivacity of the ocean. Two AOC wines:
Cabardès red wines with a deep red color.
Nose: aromas of blackcurrant liqueur, black cherry, candied fruit, violet, leather.
Palate: velvety, powerful, complex.
Cabardès rosé wines in a wide range of colors.
Nose: intense, clean aromas of red fruit, raspberry, strawberry. Very tasty.
Palate: fruity, lively and typical. Beautiful roundness with crunchy fruit.
The confidentiality of the Caberdès AOC wine makes for good cohesion between wineries and producers.
The history of Cabardès wine
Introduced by Greek merchants in the 2nd century, wine production in the region really took off under Roman occupation.
But it was the monks of the abbeys of Lagrasse, Caunes-minervois, Fontfroide and Saint-Hilaire who drove viticulture forward.
The country embraced the Cathar religion, which authorized wine production in the region, but adherence to the dogma led to the destruction of vines by the soldiers of the Albigensian crusade, notably Henri de Beaujeu. Then came the Black Prince, who had what remained of the vineyards uprooted during his incusrion in Languedoc during the 100 Years’ War.
It wasn’t until the completion of the Canal du Midi in 1681, which linked the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, that modern vineyards were once again established and trade progressed. Two successive crises, one caused by powdery mildew and the other by phylloxera, led to a revolt by too many growers.
The winegrowers then organized themselves into a cooperative, prioritizing quality over quantity, and in 1999 obtained the AOC for Caberdès wines.
The AOC comprises 4 cooperative wineries and 18 private wineries, representing around 300 winegrowers. Many offer tasting cellars for the public to discover the quality of their vineyards, glass in hand.
Visit the Aude, a wine-growing region on the wine route
Cabardès is also a land to discover, just a few kilometers from Carcassonne, where old stones charm you in villages nestled at the foot of the Montagne Noire. Aragon, anchored on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by the Cabardès vineyards, offers a superb panoramic view of the region. The village of Montolieu offers a haven for book lovers, with its narrow streets lined with second-hand booksellers, bookshops and art craftsmen, as well as a Museum of Book Arts and Crafts.
Other walks for history buffs: the Château de Pennautier, the Vilelongue abbey, the Brousse paper mill or the drystone capitelles, the museum of old winegrowers’ tools.
Finally, the
Canal du Midi
is an invitation to silence and meditation in the midst of lush greenery, providing the perfect backdrop for sporting activities and hiking escapades… What a program!
Book your mobile home in Carcassonne – Your pitch in Aude
camping Cabardès, camping Aude
The Brousses Paper Mill
Camping at Brousses et Villaret in the Aude, visit to the artisan paper mill
20 minutes from Carcassonne, 2km from your Le Martinet Rouge *** campsite, in an enchanting setting, the Moulin à Papier de Brousses invites you to experience the secrets and magic of handmade paper.
In the heart of the Montagne Noire, in Cathar country, the river Dure turns the bucket wheel and the turbine. Paper pulp is made from old rags: linen, hemp, cotton.
Original papers are also made from horse dung and, above all, from a wide variety of plants: grape stalks, bean stalks, posidonia, rice straw, nettles, ferns…
Guided tours and events at Moulin de Brousses
The one-hour guided tours plunge you into the heart of the village of Brousses et Villaret’s paper-making history, which began at the end of the 17th century with its ancient machines, Dutch stacks and meuleton. After the visit, everyone can make two sheets of paper to dry at home.
Mill tour
Embark on a journey to the last paper mill in the Occitanie region. Discover the magic of paper.
Daily tours: www.moulinapapier.com
Paper-making workshop
You’ve been dreaming about it? Just do it! Make your own sheets of paper and take them home once pressed. From age 4. 2.50€/person. After each visit.
Discovery Day
Visit, make, print in July and August at 10:30 a.m.
With family or friends, come and spend a creative day at the paper mill: tour, sheet-making workshop and monotype printing.
20€/adult and 15€/child. For ages 5 and up.
The Mill can be visited all year round
Adults and children, families or groups, the Brousses paper mill welcomes you 363 days a year; its store offers a choice of papers, prints and creations by Japanese calligrapher Ayuko Miyakawa and Laurence Cron.
The Paper Mill site also boasts a 400-meter botanical trail and picnic area. Access for people with reduced mobility is also provided.
Don’t miss this beautiful visit to Brousses in the Aude.
www.moulinapapier.com
Tel. 04.68.26.67.43
Book your mobile home in Aude – Book your camping pitch at camping Le Martinet Rouge
Brousses paper mill, camping Brousses, camping near Brousses
At Montolieu, books are our specialty
Montolieu’s fifteen or so bookshops welcome you to the friendly streets of the book village, just a stone’s throw from your Le Martinet Rouge campsite. If you’re drawn to reading by taste or curiosity, hundreds of metres of shelving await you. You’ll find books on every conceivable subject, to suit all tastes, and who knows, they might just whet the appetite of young readers.
Every Easter weekend, the Book Festival is in full swing in Montolieu. The village and all the bookshops in Montolieu welcome lovers of old books to the lively streets.
Come one, come all – you won’t regret it.
List of bookshops in Montolieu.
List of bookshops in Montolieu :
- Librairie Abelard ,
Rue de la Paix , 11170 Montolieu , 04 68 76 20 41
Mail: www.abelardbooks.eu
Antiquarian and modern books, French, English, German
Buying and selling books
- Ailleurs bookshop ,
Place Jean Guéhenno, 11170 Montolieu , 04 68 79 34 95
Mail: ailleurs36@orange.fr
Books and graphic arts
- Librairie Alcyon , Rue de la Mairie , 11170 Montolieu , 04 68 24 82 08
Mail: www.galaxidion.com/alcyom/
Literature, humanities, children
- Au Temps Jadis bookshop, 10 rue du Collège, 11170 Montolieu , 09 60 38 38 68
Mail: www.stores.ebay.fr/autempsjadis2011
Antique and second-hand books, magazines, old papers.
- Librairie L’Ambassade, rue Saint-André 6, 11170 Montolieu , 06 68 78 13 05
Literature, arts, humanities, history, varia, classical records, jazz and miscellaneous
- Librairie l’Anachronique, rue Saint-André, 11170 Montolieu , 04 68 24 47 64
Mail: anachronique@wanadoo.fr
Travel, history, antiquarian books, literature
Speciality: precious editions, old books and manuscripts, second-hand books
- Librairie L’Aubaine Rue Nationale 11170 Montolieu , 04 68 78 08 78
Mail: l.aubaine@orange.fr
Literature, history, fine books, art, prints
Buying – selling – valuations
- Librairie La Manufacture, 3 rue du 8 mai 1945, 11170 Montolieu, 04 68 24 92 63
Mail: www.librairielamanufacture.com
Literature, regionalism, history, science, travel, North Africa, Spain, illustrated books, fine arts, music, religion, children’s books, comics.
- Le Dilettante bookshop, Impasse du Ferradou, 11170 Montolieu, 01 43 37 98 98
Mail: www.ladilettante.com
- Le Bateau Ivre bookshop, 11170 Montolieu, O4 68 24 82 70
Mail: yann.lartisien@orange.fr
Surveys and visits
- Librairie La Massenie, rue de la Mairie, 11170 Montolieu, 04 68 24 84 45
Mail: lamassenie@yahoo.fr
Literature from around the world
Science fiction and fantasy
Children’s books and comics
Humanities and history
Regionalism and esotericism
Pochothèque
- Librairie du Centre, 7 rue Saint-André, 11170 Montolieu , 04 68 78 08 36
Mail: castagne.francois-regis@orange.fr
Antiquarian and modern books
Vintage magazines
Purchase-sale-expertise
- Mamézon Bookshop, rue de la Mairie, 11170 Montolieu
Large selection of comics, Mangas, …
- Librairie La Rose des Vents, rue Nationale, 11170 Montolieu, 04 68 24 80 09
Mail: larosedesvents@laposte.net
Regionalism-science-history-travel-nature-leisure-schoolbooks
- Bookshop La Lettre Volée , La Forge , hameau de Franc , 11170 Montolieu, 04 68 76 60 53
New and used books and bibliophily
Art-literature-regionalism-book trade
- La Musique des Mots bookshop, rue de la Mairie, 11170 Montolieu, 04 30 34 65 67
Used books and vinyl records
Book here your Mobil home in Montolieu – Book here your camping pitch in Montolieu
Camping Montolieu, camping Montolieu Aude, camping near Carcassonne
Château de Saissac
Camping near Château de Saissac
Just 10 km from your campsite, come and admire the Château de Saissac, perched on a rocky spur overlooking the Vernassonne ravine. Positioned at the entrance to the Montagne Noire, this castle played a major strategic role in the days when valleys had to be protected.
Château de Saissac, a Cathar stronghold
Much further north than the other Cathar castles we often forget that Saissac castle was a glorious ally of the Cathar cause. It is also the largest and oldest, having been acquired by the Count of Carcassonne in 960. The château is owned by the powerful Saissac family. Bertrand de Saissac, tutor to Raymond-Roger Trencavel (a leading figure in Catharism), was condemned by the Inquisition 40 years after his death (there are no reliable sources to support the claim that Bertrand de Saissac had embraced the Cathar faith). But the Saissacs were forced to give up all their possessions during Simon de Montfort’s crusade against the Albigensians in 1209. The castle is taken by Bouchard de Marly, commander of the Crusaders. From the 12th to the 16th century, the castle passed through the hands of several families.
During the Wars of Religion, Protestant armies ravaged the village but were unable to take the château, which was no longer inhabited by its owner, the Seigneur de Luynes. Over the years, the building fell into disrepair, and during the French Revolution, it was sold as national property to several owners, including a company of treasure hunters who blew up the dungeon with dynamite, but were not rewarded in any way… But in 1979, the Saissac treasure was born: 2000 denarii dating back to the 13th century.
After being used as a quarry, the château was bought by Dupuy-Mazel in the early 20th century, who sold it to the Saissac town council forty years later.
Renovation of the Château de Saissac
The Château de Saissac has been undergoing restoration work since 1995 to consolidate the walls. Then, in 2005 and 2006, two rooms inside the main building were renovated in the 16th century style, and now house a small numismatic museum, including the famous coin treasure. The coins bear the seal of Saint Louis, demonstrating that royal power was well established in Languedoc-Roussillon. The museum also features an exhibition on the theme of money. In another adjoining room, a fun and educational trail lets you explore the meaning of treasure…
An entertaining visit for the whole family, where you can admire one of the most beautiful views of the Cabardes region.
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campsite near Saissac in Aude 11
