Saturday... Welcome!
Morning
Head for Montolieu, the book village, with 16 bookshops and numerous artists' workshops. There's also the Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre. This is a real paradise for art lovers, with the musée Cérès Franco, located in a former wine cellar, where a new exhibition is staged each year.
Browse round the Pôle Culturel de la Manufacture, at the bottom of Montolieu, the Book and Arts village. Inside you will find art galleries, temporary exhibitions and many artists and concerts, between April and November.
Time for lunch! Enjoy a meal at the l’Apostrophe restaurant in Montolieu, in an original vintage setting.
Afternoon
Tempted by a bike ride around the capitelles? Rent a bike from Collin bike, in the upper part of the pretty village of Aragon.
Visit the Abbaye de Villelongue, an ancient Cistercian abbey, built in 1180, which is 3 kilometres from the village of Saint-Martin-le-Vieil. The visit is concluded by a stroll through the medieval garden of inspiration, located within the old monastery walls.
There is a restaurant just a stone's throw from the abbey.
Sunday... Art in Val de Dagne
Morning
Discover the Sentier Sculpturel de Mayronnes. It is a circuit where you can enjoy art and walking in the Hautes-Corbières with beautiful landscapes and contemporary sculptures in the great outdoors.
For lunch, the La Bourdasso restaurant serves elegant Italian food in Pradelles-en-Val. On the way there, you can see buffalo! The restaurant makes its own mozzarella!
Afternoon
The small village of Serviès-en-Val welcomes you for a visit to the Coop Art- La Marge, an art centre located in a former co-operative wine cellar, for something a little out of the ordinary.
The highlight: dip your toes in the river at Labastide-en-Val.
Le Sentier en poésie in Villar-en-Val, allows you to discover an open-air museum dedicated to the writer Joseph Delteil. A 6 kilometre literary walk.
Monday... Carcassonne, the unmissable
Morning
Get a different perspective of Carcassonne by visiting on a bike. Different routes are available in the Bastide, on the Cité's ramparts or along the Canal du Midi.
At lunchtime, the Le Verre d’Un restaurant in the centre of Carcassonne welcomes you for a meal in a pleasant setting.
Afternoon
Head for the Lac de la Cavayère, where you can walk, relax or have a go at some water sports at the Parc Aqua Viva. You could even try something completely different with O2 Aventure and their acrobatic route through the treetops.
On your way back to Carcassonne, stop off at the Le Parc Australien, perfect for some family fun, with events, guided visits to meet the animals and educational activities.
Let yourself be charmed by the La Bergerie restaurant in Aragon. Perched on a hill overlooking the Cabardès vines, enjoy inventive cooking with the flavours of the south, coupled with regional wines.
Tuesday... A sporty day on the Canal du Midi
Morning
Get your paddles ready for a bracing canoe trip down the Aude, with Eaurizon in Puichéric.
At the end of the morning, relax at the les bains de Minerve aquatic centre in Peyriac-Minervois,: with one outdoor pool, two indoor and a relaxation area with sauna and steam room.
In La Redorte, the La Table de Riquet restaurant, located in the Port La Fabrique next to the Canal du Midi is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a meal, prepared with local produce, in a lovely setting. You can also buy some regional produce from the shop!
Afternoon
A trip along the banks of the Canal du Midi… you can rent a bike in Trèbes from Locavélo. On your route, you'll see: le Pont de la Rode, Pont Aqueduc de Vauban and, just before the triple lock, have a break to taste the olive oils at Domaine des Pères and the jams at Confiturerie de l’Ecluse.
At the end of the day, relax in one of the restaurants in Trèbes port, for a meal on the banks of the Canal du Midi.
Wednesday... Minervois and Carcassonne
Morning
We start the day with a bike ride through the vines at the Domaine Fontanille Haut in Laure-Minervois. This to be followed, naturally by a tasting of the Domaine's wines.
At lunchtime, head for Notre Dame du Cros, 2 kilometres from Caunes-Minervois, where you will find a chapel adorned with marble. It's a calm, peaceful setting where you can enjoy a picnic on the banks of the river which, supposedly, has miraculous properties! On site, there's a climbing wall and signposted walks.
As you continue on your discovery of the region, have a tasty break at the Aux Saveurs d’Antan grocery in Villalier.
Afternoon
In Rieux-Minervois visit the église heptagonale Sainte-Marie, a heptagonal church and a treasure of Romanesque art. Dating from the 12th century, you can explore it independently or have a guided tour.
On the way out of Pépieux, a beautiful surprise is waiting for you: le Dolmen des fades is located in a place known as 'Mourel de la fados' (the fairy hillside). It stands on a pine covered hillside with a magnificent view.
Arriving at the Lac de Jouarres, you can choose whether to relax on the grass or pebble beach, or maybe go for a swim! You can also enjoy water-based activities, such as boat, board, pedalo and canoe hire, and inflatable water games, in high season.
Just 5 minutes from there, in Homps port, next to the Canal du Midi, you can find the la Maison des Vins du Minervois. The boutique has wines from over 130 cellars and estates, maybe you could be tempted by a little tasting?
Thursday... Le Minervois
Morning
Start your morning at 10:00am, with a visit to the Grotte de Limousis, the largest cave open to the public in the Cathar Country, with 8 rooms giving you a unique spectacle.
Afternoon
Head for Villeneuve-Minervois for the La Maison de la Truffe, where you can visit the educational, interactive museum, as well as the shop which sells local produce.
Visit the Moulin à Vent, the windmill in Villeneuve-Minervois. On a guided tour, you can discover the story of how this mill was saved and see how flour is produced.
The highlight: the opportunity to taste wine from the Domaine Benazeth, on site.
Friday... From Malepère to the Montagne Noire
Morning
In Arzens, try the Quadbike with QBX Cycles, a new eco-friendly leisure activity! It's a mountain bike which guarantees new thrills. You will be accompanied by a guide, who will teach you to steer on a track that is adapted to your level.
In Moussoulens, go on an ampelographic journey. You will be introduced to the Cabardès vintage and the conservatoire trufficole, truffle conservatory, in order to learn about and understand the growth process.
Afternoon
Head for the Moulin à Papier de Brousses et Villaret, where you can learn about the history of paper making, watch demonstrations and even have a go at making it yourself.
Then, visit the château de Saissac. Its donjon is 20 metres high and the two rooms of the château contain a museum of monetary treasure, made up of 2,000 deniers and a trip through time.
There's no better way to discover the trails in the Montagne Noire than on the back of a horse or pony, with the La Goutarende riding centre.
Enjoy an evening meal at the La Pujade restaurant in Alzonne. At their farm campsite, Martine and Claude serve homemade food, based on the seasons and local produce.
