Surroundings
Trausse is a vigneron village set at the bottom of the black mountain. The village was built around a tower – the Trencavel – under which the 480 villagers met and meet. With narrow streets and authentic period buildings, the village is served by a general grocery store and a restaurant open seven days a week.
Only 20 minutes away, the medieval ‘Cité’ enchants and educates. Incorporating many restaurants, sights and historic buildings, the 3km of ramparts can be toured both day and night. The summer music festival attracts international artists of the highest calibre; recent visitors could see Elton John or Sting.
The 4500 hectares of vineyard in the Minervois are tended by 180 private wineries and 35 cooperatives. The vineyards are interlaced by pretty roads, with a tourist route through the vines easily followed. Wine-makers welcome guests for tastings and cellar-door purchases, and as the region produces full-bodied Red, White and Rosé wines, all tastes are catered for.
High up on rocky hilltops sit 4 fantastic Cathar castles to explore, with histories and myths by the bucket load. With marvellous and evocative names such as Peyrepertuse or Quéribus, they were made famous most recently by Kate Mosse in her book Labyrinth, and by the subsequent BBC mini-series, these sites enthral and amaze.
Worn by millennia of dripping water, the ancient grottos such as Limousis and Cabrespine are nearby and are well worth a visit for their breath-taking scale and beauty.
Just an hour away, the Mediterranean has everything from fine, sandy beaches, quaint fishing ports, hiking trails and humble restaurants. Water-sports thrive throughout the area, not least at Narbonne Plage, the closest large beach. Adults won’t want to miss the Noilly-Prat factory on the front at Marseillan, or the Picpoul de Pinet washing down the freshest of oysters at Sète.
All around us there are opportunities to exert yourself for exercise of pleasure :
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Hiking amongst the vineyards and marble quarries is on our doorstep.
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Tennis is available next door.
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There is an 18-hole golf course at Carcassonne.
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Horse-riding for all levels (Ecurie de St-Pierre, Paradis perdu, Ecurie des Garrigues)
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Rock-climbing at Notre-Dame du Cros
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Parascending and gliding around the Cathar castles.
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Look out for rugby matches at a variety of levels in the surrounding areas, especially pre-season friendlies in August often see Stade Toulousain or Northampton Saints playing nearby.