Normally in full swing by 8am and finished by lunchtime. Carcassonne (Saturdays), Mirepoix (Mondays) and the beautiful covered market at Narbonne (every morning) with arguably the best food market in the region. All excellent and easy to reach.

The Cite or the Old Citadel was and still is the biggest medieval fortified town in Europe. It is packed with restaurants. A visit to the old castle and walk around the ramparts is a non-negotiable when in Carcassonne. There is much of historical and educational interest in this town.

There is an animated ghost house and museum of ancient medieval torture instruments used by the Inquisition which began here before moving onto Spain.

Its source is the spring on the estate at Domaine de Montahut and it is dedicated to water sports and is less than a mile away.

Padel boarding, swimming, boating, fishing or telesking, it is all possible at the lac and it is so close to the house.

You can see all the information and how to book the activities here.

The local village restaurants sell good authentic local food and are enjoyable local experiences. There are also a number of higher end restaurants in Carcassonne including the Michelin starred Restaurant du Parc at the foot of the famous Carcassonne citadel.  A recommended selection of restaurants are contained in The House Information Folder.

This is excellent bicycling country with a wonderful mix of hilly inland rides and more gentle paths alongside its rivers and wine routes. The Tour de France passes very close to the house every year. Road, mountain and even electric bike hire can be arranged in advance.

There are wonderful walks all over the area some starting from Domaine Montahut itself and a massive choice locally.You can follow the footsteps of the ancient Cathars at any point along the splendid ‘sentier Cathare’ which links nine of the Cathars’ famous fortresses through countryside and high mountain ridges.

This is one of the best ways to explore the region. A number of local riding schools offer treks tailored to both beginners and more experienced riders. The Domaine has partnered with a local riding school to create unique treks for guests. If interested this does need to be arranged in advance.

There are tennis courts in the local village of Palaja, just 7 minutes away. Courts can be booked online.

There is an 18 hole golf course only 20 minutes away at Domaine d’Auriac surrounded by vineyards and open all year round. Perfectly maintained and offering an exceptional panorama of the local landscape it has an excellent reputation. Clubs and buggies can be hired on site.

During the winter months the Pyrénées offers excellent skiing. Unspoilt and arguably more intimate, family friendly and definitely more affordable than the Alps. The ski resort of Mont d’Olmes is 1 hr 40 mins drive from the house and makes an excellent day trip. The Ax 3 Domaines and Carmurac ski resorts are also within easy reach and have pistes for all levels. Day passes and ski equipment can be rented on site.

There is much of interest. In May and June cuckoo’s can be heard and often a hoopoe in the garden. Nightingales sing with amour at this time. The frogs strike up a fine chorus in Spring and early summer.

There is a Go-Karting track in Carcassonne. Visit the website here: LINK

There are padel courts which can be booked online in the local town of Palaja.

There is also the giant Cabrespine Grotto to visit (which is higher than St Paul’s cathedral) with lit stalactites and stalagmites and long railed passageways about 30 minutes drive from Domaine de Montahut.

During the summer months the region is alive with events ranging from local village festivals and fairs to music concerts. The Festival de Carcassonne in July is established as one of the ten biggest in France and in an unrivalled location in the medieval City. There are over a hundred performances through the month of July including theatre, opera, ballet and music.

on 14th July (Bastille Day) is a highlight of the year and visible from miles around.

An abundance of beautiful Southern French villages are scattered across the region. A scenic trip through the Minervoix with its deep gorges and meadows is a lovely day out with perhaps a stop at the beautifully preserved little medieval village of Minerve perched on the side of a cliff and surrounded by a network of cliffs, natural bridges and canyons.More locally the village of Limoux holds popular wine tasting events through the summer.

Carcassonne, world famous for its most impressive medieval citadel, the largest in France, is a must. With its 3kms of ramparts (which can be walked) and its centre, full of restaurants, cafes and shops.
Mirepoix and Narbonne are also a feast of local/regional interest, culture, history, architecture and French life.
Toulouse has many art galleries, museums, world class opera and music, as well as top quality shops and restaurants. Its also renowned for its Space Museum, plus the fascinating tours of the nearby Airbus factory.

For which this area is famed. Many of the ruins and fortresses of the wars against the Cathars are visible today some of them perched in the most dramatic locations. Notable examples include Quéribus and Montségur.

With 700,000 acres of vineyards the Languedoc is the largest wine producing region in the world and the first region in France to be introduced to winemaking by the Romans.

The Corbières area now produces some outstandingly good value quality wines. Interesting whites and roses are also emerging. The region is also known for its sparkling wines, the precursors in fact to champagne notable of which are ‘Blanquette’ and Crémant de Limoux.

Slightly further afield the Minervoix region is known for its reds and sweet whites. There are a choice of these vineyards offering tours and inviting on the spot tastings and purchases, a few favourites are listed below:

The Chateau L’Hospitalet about 50 minutes from Domaine de Montahut is an excellent place to visit, where you can learn about wine making and eat. They specialise in both wine tourism and they have an excellent restaurant plus another very sophisticated beach resort restaurant and spa about 5 minutes away on the coast.

You could actually make a day’s trip of this starting with the wine tour then ending up either eating at the Chateau L’Hospitalet or at their beach resort next door.

LINK HERE

There’s a vineyard adjoining Domaine de la Vene so you could just walk there, but you would need cars if you were going to buy the wine, called the Domaine de la Madonne. They don’t serve food but they’ve got a very sophisticated bar area where they serve their own wines.

LINK HERE

Chateau de Luc, where the Fabre family have been been operating since the early 17^th century. They will show you their old underground cellars full of oak casts etc. This chateau is about 40 minutes away.

LINK HERE

Another one that is highly recommend is Domaine Gayda and is only 45 minutes away

It has a superb restaurant overlooking the vineyard.

Home – Gayda Vineyards (domainegayda.com)

Many may simply be happy to relax by the pool at the house but within 50 minutes you could be in the sunshine of the Mediterranean coast! The Languedoc coastline is rich and varied. Its mix of lovely sandy beaches, marshlands, and rocky outcrops are celebrated by artists and poets. A favourite of the owners is by Biquet Plage at Leucate. Here there is an excellent laid back restaurant selling fresh fish and tapas style platters only a short distance from the sea’s edge. The beaches at Narbonne, Gruissan and Port la Nouvelle are all within easy reach for a day trip.

For the more adventurous and those with children there are plenty of activities in the area ranging from go karting in Carcassonne, an acrobatic forest centre with eight courses and nearby Cavayère Lake with its recently opened Aquapark.

On nearby rivers you can also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, rafting, rock climbing and canyoning. For the more extreme thrill seekers tandem skydives can be booked near Lezignan or an afternoon of hotair ballooning or paragliding.

A delightful day can be enjoyed hiring a barge and navigating quietly down the Canal du Midi, interspersed with beautiful bridges and an aqueduct. Those wanting to cycle the same route can do so.

There is an excellent tourist office in Carcassonne.

There’s the Sigean Wild Animal Game Park only 50 minutes away which is like a zoo but also with animals in the park so they can drive through areas as if they were on safari. The kids will love this and there’s a good restaurant and bar there too.