Saint Hilaire
One of my favourite things to do.
This is a unique open-air swimming pool that is at a constant temperature of 16 degrees all year round. There's also a Hammam which has a sauna and a jacuzzi. You can sunbathe around the swimming pool, swim, then eat at the nearby cafes in the village, which is a five minute walk away.
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Rennes-les-Bains
This is a unique open-air swimming pool that is at a constant temperature of 16 degrees all year round. There's also a Hammam which has a sauna and a jacuzzi. You can sunbathe around the swimming pool, swim, then eat at the nearby cafes in the village, which is a five minute walk away.
This is one of the best beaches on the coast. There's also a good restaurant La Cote Reve that's almost on the beach. Acres of sand, lovely safe beach with a lifeguard. Nearby Le Franqui beach is also stunning and there's kite surfing there.
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Leucate Plage
This is one of the best beaches on the coast. There's also a good restaurant La Cote Reve that's almost on the beach. Acres of sand, lovely safe beach with a lifeguard. Nearby Le Franqui beach is also stunning and there's kite surfing there.
This is a wonderful beach for families and an easy drive from Saint Hilaire, around 20 minutes. Very safe with lifeguards. Trees to picnic underneath and there's organised climbing in the trees on ropes for older children. Across the lake there's a water fun parc for older children that can swim.
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Lac de la Cavayere
This is a wonderful beach for families and an easy drive from Saint Hilaire, around 20 minutes. Very safe with lifeguards. Trees to picnic underneath and there's organised climbing in the trees on ropes for older children. Across the lake there's a water fun parc for older children that can swim.
The town of Limoux is wonderful and very sociable. There's plenty to do here on summer evenings where concerts are organised by the town hall. Restaurants and cafes around the pretty central square are a good place to have a glass of wine, a coffee, or an ice-cream after the Friday morning market (one of the best markets in the region). From January to March - every weekend - is the Limoux Carnival at 11:00, 17:00 and 22:00 Saturdays and Sundays. Dancers and their brass band promenade slowly round the town square throwing confetti at the crowds. it's very old, and very special.
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Limoux
The town of Limoux is wonderful and very sociable. There's plenty to do here on summer evenings where concerts are organised by the town hall. Restaurants and cafes around the pretty central square are a good place to have a glass of wine, a coffee, or an ice-cream after the Friday morning market (one of the best markets in the region). From January to March - every weekend - is the Limoux Carnival at 11:00, 17:00 and 22:00 Saturdays and Sundays. Dancers and their brass band promenade slowly round the town square throwing confetti at the crowds. it's very old, and very special.
The Medieval village of Lagrasse is like stepping back in time to the medieval era. The town is famous for its working Abbey, which you can tour round. It's also well known for the local artists and craftsmen and women who live and work there. You can go into their studios and buy something unique to treasure. There are several good restaurants. You can swim in the old (shallow) mill pond or sit and read a book under the trees.
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Lagrasse
The Medieval village of Lagrasse is like stepping back in time to the medieval era. The town is famous for its working Abbey, which you can tour round. It's also well known for the local artists and craftsmen and women who live and work there. You can go into their studios and buy something unique to treasure. There are several good restaurants. You can swim in the old (shallow) mill pond or sit and read a book under the trees.
Sightseeing
This is the village that has associations with Dan Brown's books and the mysteries of the Holy Blood, Holy Grail. Where treasure hunters operated in the past to find the secret source of Priest Sauniers wealth.
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Rennes le chateau
This is the village that has associations with Dan Brown's books and the mysteries of the Holy Blood, Holy Grail. Where treasure hunters operated in the past to find the secret source of Priest Sauniers wealth.
For those who want to drive south, visit Cadaques where Dali had a house, which you can visit. The town is arranged around a large port with pretty boats, and restaurants all along the Quayside. the motorway there is easy, but there's a winding road to drive down to the town, which has breathtaking views of the coast.
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Cadaqués
For those who want to drive south, visit Cadaques where Dali had a house, which you can visit. The town is arranged around a large port with pretty boats, and restaurants all along the Quayside. the motorway there is easy, but there's a winding road to drive down to the town, which has breathtaking views of the coast.
The 'pink' city. Plenty of things to see and do. It's a day's outing. 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Saint Hilaire.
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Toulouse
The 'pink' city. Plenty of things to see and do. It's a day's outing. 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Saint Hilaire.
The Abbey of Saint Hilaire is famous for being where the first sparkling wine in the world, Blanquette de Limoux, was first discovered by the monks. They noticed grape juice began to bubble during the fermentation and began to make sparkling wine. Blanquette is mentioned in the 11th century in a manuscript detailing the purchase of it for soldiers to fortify them before going into battle. Blanquette is made everywhere in the Aude region now and wins prizes worldwide. The wine shop in Saint Hilaire (next to the wine cooperative building) is open weekdays and you can buy Blanquette from Saint Hilaire there.
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Saint-Hilaire
The Abbey of Saint Hilaire is famous for being where the first sparkling wine in the world, Blanquette de Limoux, was first discovered by the monks. They noticed grape juice began to bubble during the fermentation and began to make sparkling wine. Blanquette is mentioned in the 11th century in a manuscript detailing the purchase of it for soldiers to fortify them before going into battle. Blanquette is made everywhere in the Aude region now and wins prizes worldwide. The wine shop in Saint Hilaire (next to the wine cooperative building) is open weekdays and you can buy Blanquette from Saint Hilaire there.
Neighborhoods
The Cite of Carcassonne is one of France's top five places to visit. You can wander around medieval streets, eat in very good restaurants, and go into the Dojon (the Castle) at the centre of the Cite to see a wonderful presentation about the history and walk the Cite walls. There's an excellent view of the Pyrenees from there.
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Carcassonne
The Cite of Carcassonne is one of France's top five places to visit. You can wander around medieval streets, eat in very good restaurants, and go into the Dojon (the Castle) at the centre of the Cite to see a wonderful presentation about the history and walk the Cite walls. There's an excellent view of the Pyrenees from there.
Food scene
One of the best restaurants in the area. They do a five or six course set menu (with plenty of choices) that is superb. The meal comes with a selection of bottles of wine. A great place for a celebration. The Chateau is in a neighbouring village and it's very pretty.
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Hotel Chateau De Cavanac
One of the best restaurants in the area. They do a five or six course set menu (with plenty of choices) that is superb. The meal comes with a selection of bottles of wine. A great place for a celebration. The Chateau is in a neighbouring village and it's very pretty.
One of the best restaurants in the area. Book to avoid disappointment as it's very popular. A real experience.
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Domaine Gayda
Chemin de MoscouOne of the best restaurants in the area. Book to avoid disappointment as it's very popular. A real experience.
A fantastic restaurant in a chateaux with lots of charm and elegance. A very special evening out.
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Château des Ducs de Joyeuse
A fantastic restaurant in a chateaux with lots of charm and elegance. A very special evening out.