the-cathar-trail.pdf - Communauté de Communes du Chalabrais

catalogue-anglais 9/10/08 18:04 Page 1 

THE CATHAR TRAIL 

A U D E C A T H A R C O U N T R Y 

WALKS AND RAMBLES ACROSS AUDE CATHAR COUNTRY 

COMITÉ DÉPARTEMENTAL DU TOURISME DE L'AUDE


Walks and rambles across 

Aude, Cathar Country. 

The next few lines invite you to wander and discover a little-known and constantly 

changing land of a thousand moods and a thousand faces. 

A land given to resistance… Aude, Cathar Country. 

Here, by the limpid gulfs exalted by Charles Trenet in “La Mer”, on the paths through the vineyards of 

Corbières, Minervois or Malepère, in the uncompromising light of the Cabardès garrigue, 

deep in the gorges and forests of the Aude Pyrenees, from hilltop to hilltop in the rich 

rolling lands of the Lauragais, you will become acquainted with History and how amazingly 

relevant and alive it still is. 

Here you will meet people who are firmly rooted and open-minded - a whole way of life. 

Here you will follow a route of discovery and experience where the unexpected is just 

round the corner. 

Here you will find yourself reflected in the image of Aude, Cathar Country. 

Contents 

Map of long-distance trails in the Aude P.2 

The Cathar Trail P.3 

The Cathar Trail stages P.4 /7 

Table of lodges P. 8/9 

Long-distance trails in the Aude P.10/11 

- GR 36 

- GR 7 

- Sentier du Golfe Antique 

- Piedmont trail towards Santiago de Compostela 

Rambling in the Aude: 

- Pays de la Haute Vallée de l’Aude P. 12/13 

- Pays Corbières-Minervois P. 14/15 

- Pays de la Narbonnaise P.16/17 

- Pays Carcassonnais P. 18/19 

- Pays Lauragais P. 20/21 

Information / Useful addresses P.22/23


Hotel 

Bed & Breakfast 

Holiday Cottage 

Campsite 

Food shop 

Bar/Restaurant 

Bar 

Restaurant 

Walks and rambles across 

Credit card 

Bus station 

Railway station/Bus 

Taxi/Luggage 

Protect nature, 

it's fragile. 

Legend 

Let's not forget that most of Aude has a 

Mediterranean climate, and that there is a 

high risk of fires during the summer period, 

despite all the measures of precautions.


Aude, Cathar Country


Sentier Cathare 

The Sentier Cathare or Cathar Trail extends for 200 kilometres 

from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pyrenees. It has 

a wide diversity of scenery: coastal lagoons, hillside 

vineyards, Mediterranean garrigue scrubland, Pyrenean 

forests, gorges and mountains… 

Aguilar, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Puivert, 

Montségur - these citadels built on dizzyingly high rocky 

peaks are dotted along the route and recall a page of 

mediaeval history in southern France: Catharism in the 

Languedoc. 

There are trail variants and connections with the regional 

path network (Sentiers de Pays) so ramblers can choose 

where to start their walks and how long they will last. 

Rambling on the Cathar Trail is a quest for the meaning and 

understanding of the lessons of history. 

Harsh and arid, these lands gradually reveal themselves as 

warm and welcoming for anyone who takes the time to discover 

them. 

Bibliography: 

Le Sentier Cathare - Rando Éditions, 2005, 119 pages 

03


04 

Stage 1 : Port-La Nouvelle - Durban-Corbières 

This is a transition stage between the Mediterranean coast and the hills of the 

Corbières and reveals the wide expanse of the Aude shoreline from the massif 

of La Clape to the cliffs of Cap Leucate between vineyards and garrigue. 

It is long and arduous in hot weather so is better left to experienced hikers. ■ 

Useful informations: 

• Office de Tourisme de Port-La Nouvelle 

Tel. 04 68 48 00 51 

E-mail: officedetourisme.portlanouvelle@wanadoo.fr 

• Parc naturel régional de la Narbonnaise 

Tel. 04 68 42 23 70 

Email: info@parc-naturel-narbonnaise.fr 

Stage 2 : Durban-Corbières - Tuchan 

The second stage takes the rambler into true Hautes Corbières country. 

Overlooking the vineyards, the castles of Nouvelle, Domneuve and Aguilar bring us 

nearer to the Spanish March, the old frontier between Aragon and the kingdom 

of France. ■ 


• Parc naturel régional de la Narbonnaise 

Tel. 04 68 42 23 70 


• Office de Tourisme Intercommunal Corbières Sauvages 

Tel. 04 68 45 69 40 

Email: bienvenue@corbieres-sauvages.com 

Stage 3 : Tuchan - Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse 

On this part of the Sentier Cathare you can admire a strange landscape of limestone 

heights topped with the "Citadelles du vertige" strongholds of Quéribus and 

Peyrepertuse, the last refuge of the Perfects in the crusades against the Albigensians. 

Conducive to contemplation, this stage includes the village of Cucugnan famous 

for the sermon of its priest. ■ 



Tel. 04 68 45 69 40 


6h45 

29 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

600 m 

IGN 72 Béziers-Perpignan (1/100 000 e ) 

IGN 2547 OT Durban-Corbières 

(1/25 000 e ) 

7h00 

28 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

6h30 

23,5 km 

800 m 

IGN 72 Béziers-Perpignan (1/100 000e ) 

IGN 2547 OT Durban-Corbières 

(1/25 000e ) 

IGN 2447 OT Tuchan (1/25 000e ) 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

750 m 


IGN 2547 OT Tuchan (1/25 000 e )


Stage 4 : Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse - Camps sur l’Agly 

From the arresting stronghold of Peyrepertuse, a remarkable example of mediaeval 

military architecture, the trail leads down into the impressive canyon of the Agly 

- the gorges of Galamus - opening the way to Fenouillèdes. ■ 



Tel. 04 68 45 69 40 


Stage 5 : Camps sur l’Agly - Puilaurens 

Stage 5 b : Camps sur l’Agly - Bugarach 

The Sentier Cathare heads off south towards Le Fenouillèdes. It crosses the Roc Paradet 

and then goes through old pasture lands and down to the gorges of Saint Georges before 

crossing the national forest of Aigues Bonnes to get to the imposing castle of Puilaurens. 

The alternative route crosses the Hautes Corbières hills and then climbs up the Pech de 

Bugarach which offers a superlative view of the coast, the Corbières and the Pyrenean 

mountain range. ■ 


• Point d’Information Tourisme du Pays de Couiza 

Tel. 04 68 74 02 51 - Email: pays.couiza@wanadoo.fr 

• Office de Tourisme Aude en Pyrénées 

Tel. 04 68 20 07 78 - Email: tourisme.quillan@wanadoo.fr 

• Pays d’Accueil Touristique du canton d’Axat 

Tel. 04 68 20 59 61 - Email: pat-axat@wanadoo.fr 

Stage 6 : Puilaurens - Axat - Labau 

Stage 6 b : Bugarach - Quillan 

When you have visited the castle of Puilaurens, you carry on westward and cross the 

valley of the River Aude which flows down the Carlit massif and then you go up the 

magnificent valley of the Rebenty. 

The alternative route will show you the last vineyards in the Aude valley and take you 

to a stopping point in Quillan, the gateway to the Pyrenees. ■ 




• Pays d’Accueil Touristique du canton d’Axat 

Tel. 04 68 20 59 61 - Email: pat-axat@wanadoo.fr 

5h15 

20 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

850 m 


IGN 2547 OT Tuchan (1/25 000 e ) 

IGN 2348 ET Prades (1/25 000 e ) 

7h15 

26,5 km 

3h45 

12 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

700 m 

500 m 


IGN 2348 ET Prades (1/25 000 e ) 

IGN 2347 OT Quillan (1/25 000 e ) 

Puilaurens 

6h40 550 m 

25,6 km 

6h30 700 m 

24,5 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

IGN 72 Béziers-Perpignan (1/100 000e ) 

IGN 71 St-Gaudens-Andorre (1/100 000e ) 

IGN 2348 ET Prades (1/25 000e ) 

IGN 2248 ET Axat-Quérigut (1/25 000e ) 

IGN 2347 OT Quillan (1/25 000e ) 

Quillan 

Labau 

Services 

Bugarach 

05


06 

Stage 7 : Labau - Puivert 

Stage 7 b : Quillan - Puivert 

This splendid stage in the Pyrenees is long but amply compensated for by the castle of 

Puivert, a meeting-place for troubadours in the olden days. Its dungeon, one of the best 

preserved, conveys an impression of serenity and harmony. 

If you have chosen to leave from Quillan, within two hours you will notice the change of 

climate and vegetation, where the Mediterranean olive gives way to deep beech and fir 

forests. ■ 




• Office de Tourisme intercommunal du Quercorb 

Tel. 04 68 69 65 96 - Email: office.tourisme@quercorb.com 

Stage 8 : Puivert - Espezel/Belvis 

A stage mainly in the forest to reach Pays de Sault, a plateau area before the high 

mountains of the Pyrenees. Mainly given over to forestry and stock breeding, 

it is home to an outstanding variety of fauna. ■ 


• Office de Tourisme Intercommunal du Quercorb 


• Office de Tourisme du Pays de Sault 

Tel. 04 68 20 75 89 - Email: o.t.p.s@wanadoo.fr 

Stage 9 : Espezel/Belvis - Comus 

The Pic de l’Ourtizet and Saint Barthélémy tower over pastureland and 

forests in this stage where you can discover vestiges of the agricultural 

life led by our ancestors. ■ 




7h15 

27,5 km 

5h45 

20,5 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

IGN 71 St Gaudens-Andorre (1/100 000 e ) 

IGN 2347 OT Quillan (1/25 000 e ) 

IGN 2247 OT Lavelanet (1/25 000 e ) 

4h30 

17 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

5h15 

20 km 

600 m 



Trail sign: 

Maps: 

800 m 

700 m 

500 m 



IGN 2148 ET Ax les Thermes(1/25 000 e )


Stage 10 : Comus - Montségur 

This stage crosses from the Aude to the Ariège, between Pays de Sault and Pays d’Olmes. 

After a detour via the gorges of the Frau, the trail reaches the castle of Montségur, 

icon of the Cathars' resistance to the Church of Rome and the King of France. ■ 




• Office de Tourisme du Pays d’Olmes 

Tel. 05 34 09 33 80 - Email: ccpo@paysdolmes.org 

Stage 11: Montségur - Roquefixade 

When you cross Pays d’Olmes, the land of wool and horn, you will discover the remains 

of the castle of Roquefixade, perched like an eagle's nest over the village of the same 

name. ■ 


• Office de Tourisme du Pays d’Olmes 

Tel. 05 34 09 33 80 - Email: ccpo@paysdolmes.org 

• Office de Tourisme du Pays de Foix 

Tel. 05 61 65 12 12 - Email: foix.tourisme@wanadoo.fr 

Stage 12 : Roquefixade - Foix 

The last stage on the Sentier Cathare crosses the national forest of Pradières 

and the last stop will be the castle of Foix, once the property of 

the famous Gaston Fébus. ■ 


• Office de Tourisme du Pays de Foix 

Tel. 05 61 65 12 12 - Email: foix.tourisme@wanadoo.fr 

3h30 

14,5 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

500 m 



IGN 2148 ET Ax les Thermes (1/25 000 e ) 

4h15 

17 km 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

4h50 

18 km 

550 m 



IGN 2147 ET Foix (1/25 000 e ) 

Trail sign: 

Maps: 

500 m 


IGN 2147 ET Foix (1/25 000 e ) 

07


Stopover lodgings and refuges 

Town Name Address Postal Opening Capacity Owner name T 

Code Dates 

Axat Le Rucher de l’ours - 11140 All year 10 Philippe Weibel 04 

Axat La Crémade (GE) - 11140 Easter to 30/09 6 Gérard Bergès 04 

Belvis La Gineste (GE) - 11340 All year 33 Rose et Pascal Chenal 04 

Bugarach Maison Nature et Randonnée - 11190 March to October 34 Mlle Sigrid Benard 04 

Camps/Agly La Bastide - 11190 All year 50 Nely Busch - Richard Le Masson 04 

Camps/Agly La Ferme de Camps 1, rue du Château 11190 All year (with booking) 15 Catherine Clervoix 04 

Camurac La Marmite Rue du Puech 11340 All year 20 Daniel Peters 0 

Camurac Le Grillon frileux Le village 11340 All year (with booking) 42 04 

/0 

Camurac Gîte du camping Les Sapins - 11340 All year 25 Ronald Van Poecke 04 

Camurac Le Château Le village 11340 All year 20 Marion Hoogwegt 0 

Comus Gîtes et Loisirs de Montagne - 11340 All year (except 15/11 to 20/12) 36 Anne Pagès 04 

Escouloubre Le Cochon du Madres - 11140 February to November 14 Patricia Cucuillère 04 

Escouloubre Refuge de La Resclause - 11140 October to end May 10 Mairie 04 

Espezel Espezel (G.E.) - 11140 Closed December & january 60 Louis Pech 04 

Lapradelle Puilaurens Aygues-Bonnes Hameau d’Aygues Bonnes 11140 01/04 to 31/10 16 Colette Chazalet 04 

Le Bousquet Refuge La Bergerie de Madres - 11140 On request 17 Mairie Escouloubre 04 

Marsa Labau Hameau de Labau 11140 All year 23 Patrice Somogyi 0 

Quillan La Forge-Centre International de séjour Route de Perpignan 11500 April to 15 Sept. 70 Éric Quezel 04 

Puivert Gîte d’étape La Peyrouse - 11230 All year 15 Hélène Bouillon - Michel Bedrossiantz 04 

Puivert Gîte des Marionnettes 19, route 117 - Le Village 11230 All year 30 Michel et Françoise Dubrunfaut 04 

Rodome Ferme Équestre H’Val - 11140 February to 15 Nov. 30 Simone et Agnès Hick 04 

Albières Domaine de Marseille - 11330 All year 10 Muriel Zoldan - Sébastien Thuret 0 

Duilhac/Peyrepertuse Gîte d’Étape de Duilhac 8, chemin du Fort 11350 All year 19 Solange Moulin 0 

Duilhac/Peyrepertuse L’Embellie Cathare 6, rue des Écoles 11350 All year 14 Érik Ortala 0 

Quintillan Le Maou - 11360 - - Farid Boukhers - Nathalie Gentil 04 

Termes Prat del Roussi - 11330 All year 8 Sandrine Courdon - Gilles Gautherot 04 

Tuchan Gîte d’Étape de Saint Roch Route de Fast 11350 15 April to 15 Oct. 12 Élisabeth Madaule 0 

Villerouge-Termenès Le Roc de Golta Lieu-dit “Le Roc de Golta” 11330 All year (except 15 to 31 Dec.) 12 Jean-Marie Bizouerne 04 

/0 

Caunes-Minervois Le relais de Saint Genes 12, av. du Minervois 11160 All year (except 20 to 31 Dec.) 12 Catherine Gonzalez 04 

Castans Le gîte de Castans Hameau de Laviale 11160 All year 9 Association GRAAL 04 

Cavanac Gîte d’Étape 54, rue Traversière 11570 All year 16 Henri Sournies 04 

Laprade Fontbruno - 11190 All year 70 Mlle Pays Haute Vallée de l’Aude 

Pays Corbières-Minervois 

Pays Carcassonnais 

Durand 0 

Montirat Le Joug - 11800 All year 6 Gérard de Castro 04 

Pezens Le Peyrou 1, rue François Villon 11170 On request 11 Évelyne et Olivier Diviez 04 

Pradelle-Cabardès La Maison Forestière Place de la Tour 11380 All year 22 Mairie 04 

Saissac Domaine de l’Albejot - 11310 - 13 M. Arredondo 04 

Pays Lauragais 

Castelnaudary L’Etrier du Lauragais Route du Mas Stes-Puelles 11400 All year 9 Sylvain et Guilhaume Gentil 04 

Montferrand Le Moulin de Naurouze 101, Chemin des Légendes 11320 March to Oct. - A.Y. if booked 14 Annie et Andrew Spark 0 

Verdun Lauragais Le Bout du Monde Ferme de Rhodes 11400 All year 40 Dominique Trinquelle 04 

08 For any other type of accomodation, contact the local tourist board or


in Aude Cathar Country 

Telephone Fax E-mail Web site 

number 

Sentier 

Cathare 

04 68 20 53 34 04 68 20 63 70 webmaster@lerocherdelours.fr - X X 

04 68 20 50 64 - lacremade@hotmail.fr www.lacremade.com X X 

04 68 20 46 31 04 68 20 76 31 pascal.chenal@laposte.net - X X X 

04 68 69 86 72 04 68 69 81 63 - - X X 

on 04 68 69 87 57 04 68 69 81 11 rlm@labastide.net www.labastide.net X X 

04 68 69 87 53 - - - X X 

04 68 20 73 31 04 68 20 35 50 gite.marmite@wanadoo.fr www.gites-camurac.com X X 

04 68 20 32 09 04 68 20 74 05 georges.terranova@orange.fr - X X 

/06 08 62 44 81 

04 68 20 15 89 04 68 20 74 75 chambres@domainelessapins.com www.domainelessapins.com X X 

04 68 31 32 01 - info@chateaudecamurac.com www.chateaudecamurac.com X X 

04 68 20 33 69 04 68 20 39 33 anne@gites-comus.com www.gites-comus.com X X X 

04 68 20 44 02 04 68 20 43 54 lecochondumadres@tiscali.fr - X 

04 68 20 40 88 - escouloubre.mairie@wanadoo.fr - X 

04 68 20 72 89 04 68 20 72 96 - - X X 

04 68 20 51 90 04 68 20 51 90 colette.chazalet@wanadoo.fr - X X 

04 68 20 52 82 - escouloubre.mairie@wanadoo.fr - X 

04 68 20 54 12 - - - X X 

04 68 20 23 79 04 68 20 13 64 laforge.quillan@wanadoo.fr www.ville-quillan.fr X X 

antz 04 68 20 24 19 - lapeyrousepuivert@yahoo.fr www.membres.lycos.fr/peyrousebarbe X X X 

ut 04 68 20 80 69 04 68 20 80 69 michdub@orange.fr www.gite-puivert.com X X X 

04 68 20 32 22 04 68 20 76 10 h_val@club-internet.fr www.vertcommecheval.fr X X X 

uret 04 68 41 65 12 - - - X 

04 68 45 01 74 04 68 45 40 55 gite.duilhac@wanadoo.fr - X X X 

04 68 45 03 10 - embeliecathare@free.fr www.embeliecathare.com X X X 

il 04 68 45 44 82 - - - X 

erot 04 68 70 05 92 - - - X X 

04 68 45 47 91 - gitesaintroch@orange.fr www.gitesaintroch.fr X X 

04 68 70 06 98 - - - X X 

/06 82 07 43 36 

04 68 78 02 81 - gonzalezcat@tiscali.fr - X 

04 68 26 63 65 - pcnuddle@wanadoo.fr www.multimania.com/graalcastans X X 

04 68 79 78 38 - - - X 

04 68 26 61 41 04 68 26 61 41 - www.francecity.com (puis taper “fontbruno”) X 

04 68 78 68 64 - le.joug@wanadoo.fr - X 

04 68 24 93 28 - diviez.olivier@akeonet.com www.pazens.fr X X 

04 68 26 66 40 04 68 26 66 40 lamontagnole@club-internet.fr www.maisonforestière.git.free.fr X X 

04 68 24 44 03 - - www.domaine-l’albejot-11 X X 

04 68 23 28 47 04 68 23 58 98 etrier-lauragais@ifrance.com - X X 

06 22 49 57 15 - lemoulindenaurouze@wanadoo.fr - X X 

04 68 94 95 96 04 68 94 96 02 boutdumonde@wanadoo.fr www.leboutdumonde.fr X X 

www.yelloh!villageleboutdumonde.com 

rd or: Comité Départemental du Tourisme - 04 68 11 66 00 - www.audetourisme.com 

GR 7 

GR 36 

Loops 

rambles 

09


10 

GR 36: PIC DE NORE TO THE GORGES OF GALAMUS 

On the E4 European trail (Switzerland to Spain), the GR 36 cuts across the Aude from north to south. It comes into the Aude at the 

Pic de Nore (1210 m), summit of the Montagne Noire. It drops down due south to the mediaeval city of Carcassonne and then dives 

into the untamed beauty of the Corbières hills. Following the banks of the Orbieu, you will come upon the mediaeval village of 

Lagrasse and then progress towards the Hautes Corbières and its castles, reminders of the Languedoc in the Middle Ages. Finally 

you reach Le Fenouillèdes and Catalonia via the stunning gorges of Galamus. 

Castle of Peyrepertuse. 

INFORMATION: 

GR 7 AND THE P.P. RIQUET LOOP: MONTAGNE NOIRE 

TO THE PYRENEES 

On the E7 European trail (Italy to Portugal), the GR 7 reveals the historic itineraries 

shaped by Man. The Pierre-Paul Riquet loop follows the channels in the 

mountains and plains until it gets to the Seuil de Narouze, the watershed between 

the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In its Pyrenean section, the GR 7 follows the 

Chemin Vauban route or the “cannon road” used by the armies of Louis XIV to take 

men and equipment to Mont Louis. 

INFORMATION: 

• Comité Départemental de Randonnée Pédestre de l’Aude 

Maison du Tourisme Vert 

78 ter rue Barbacane - 11000 Carcassonne 

Tel. 04 68 47 69 26 - Email: ffrp@carcassonne.net 

Site: http://www.ffrp.carcassonne.net/intro/intro.php 

• ADATEL 

19, cours de la République - BP 128 - 11406 Castelnaudary 

Tel. 04 68 23 46 56 - Email: adatelcastel@libertysurf.fr 

• Office de Tourisme Intercommunal du Quercorb 

Cours d’Aguesseau - 11230 Chalabre 


Long-distance trails 






• Pays Touristique Corbières-Minervois 

24, bd. Marx Dormoy - 11200 Lézignan Corbières 

Tel. 04 68 27 57 57 

Email: info@tourisme-corbieres-minervois.com 

The Sentier Cathare 

in the upper valley of the Aude.


in Aude Cathar Country 

Sentier du Golfe Antique (Gulf of antiquity - regional GR) 

75 km round the lagoons of Bages-Sigean, a former gulf silted up by 

the Aude. A major route used by Hannibal and then the Romans, the 

Via Domitia, ran along the coast to Narbonne, the capital of Roman 

Gaul. 

In the heart of the “Narbonnaise en Méditerranée” regional nature 

park, the Sentier du Golfe Antique is perfect for discovering the 

lagoon environment. It is heaven for migratory birds and home to an 

outstanding range of flora and fauna. When you walk across 

vineyards, salt farms and pinewoods, you will come upon fishing villages, 

the Robine canal and the island of Sainte Lucie. 

INFORMATION: 






• Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise 

Domaine de Montplaisir - 11100 Narbonne 

Tel. 04 68 42 23 70 


View over the coastal lagoons. 

PYRENEAN PIEDMONT TRAIL TOWARDS SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA 

One of the many paths across Europe to Santiago de Compostela, the Pyrenean Piedmont trail links the Mediterranean to the 

Atlantic via Narbonne and Roncevaux, the hub of all the routes. 

The Aude part of it has six stopping points plus a “starter path” and is about 140 kilometres long. 

From the Mediterranean shores to the mediaeval city of Carcassonne, through the vineyards in the Corbières, Malepère in the plain 

of the Aude and the Lauragais, latter-day pilgrims walk in the footsteps of Cathar Perfects and Dominic de Guzman who founded the 

Dominican Order near to Fanjeaux. 

INFORMATION: 

• Association Le Chemin de Saint Jacques 

du Piémont Pyrénéen 

Halte Saint Jacques - 09190 Saint Lizier 

City 

of Carcassonne. 

11


12 

Rambling in the Aude 

Pays de la haute-Vallée 

de l’Aude 

The River Aude rises at the foot of the Carlit massif in the Pyrenees and 

then makes its long way northward across the Pays. 

The Madres massif in the south-east is a ramblers' paradise which drops 

gradually down to Le Fenouillèdes. This is the land of bears and 

great beech forests. 

In the south-west, divided by the stunning gorges of Saint Georges, 

Pierre Lys and Joucou, Pays de Sault is typical high plateaux country. 

Further north, Quercorb is a pivotal region where the scenery starts 

to change into the gentle slopes of the Lauragais. 

In Quillan, a crossroads and major staging town, the Aude settles down and 

exchanges its mountain twang for the dulcet tones of the Mediterranean. 

On the way down the valley, the slopes of Malepère and Limoux vines 

mould the landscape and the economic life of a region at the junction 

of oceanic and inland sea influences. 

This place is a world in itself because it has everything, by its very nature ! ■ 

Walks and rambles described in the Topo-guide: Le Pays de la Haute 

Vallée de l’Aude à pied (Édition FFRP) 

1 Arboretum du Planel - Arques 

2 La forêt de Fontanilles - Axat 

3 Chemin des vignerons (Winegrower’s trail) - Belvèze-du-Razès 

4 Le belvédère du Diable (Devil’s panoramic view-point) - Belvianes 

5 Le Pic de Bugarach - Bugarach 

6 Chemin de la Melso - Cailhau 

7 Boucle de Campagna-de-Sault (loop) - Campagna-de-Sault 

8 Tour du Boum - Camurac 

9 Chemin de Labade - Caudeval 

10 Les Hauts de Chalabre - Chalabre 

11 Boucle de Pech Salamou (loop) - Donazac 

12 Le sentier des Dinosaures (Dinosaur path) - Espéraza 

13 La maison du Sorcier (Wizard's house) - Greffeil 

14 Sentier d’interprétation de la forêt - Lapradelle-Puilaurens 

15 Le tour du Château - Lapradelle-Puilaurens 

16 La forêt d’En Malo - Le Caunil Salvezines 

17 Pic de Brau - Boucle de Magrie - Magrie 

18 Chemin des Amouriès - Mazerolles-du-Razès 

19 Tour de l’Ourtiset - Mazuby 

Aude 

Pays Cathare 

Un pays de pays! 

LEGEND: 

• Sentier cathare 

• GR 7


Rafting in the upper valley 

of the Aude. 

Nearby awaiting discovery: 

Donjon d’Arques 

Château de Puilaurens 

Château de Puivert - Abbaye de Saint Hilaire - Abbaye d’Alet les Bains 

Musée des dinosaures - Musée du Quercorb 

Haute-Vallée de l’Aude, a heaven of open-air activities 

With more than 800 km of bike trails round Chalabre, Couiza, Quillan and Pays de Sault, the Haute 

Vallée de l’Aude (upper valley of the Aude) is the most extensive FFC-labelled mountain biking site 

in the entire Pyrenees. 

The trail network is so varied there is always a tour to suit all levels: the low hills of Limoux and Piège, 

the valleys of the Aude and Rebenty, the plateaux and passes in the Pyrenees, to name but some. 

In the gorges of St Georges, upstream of Axat in Limoux, the Aude offers the all sorts of freshwater 

sports. Canoeing, rafting, kayaking, wild water swimming and so on can all be practised provided they 

do not inconvenience other users of the river. 

20 Le Labyrinthe vert (Green maze) - Nébias 

21 Le Maquis de Picaussel - Puivert 

22 Sentier des Oliviers et Roc de Capio - Quillan 

23 La Roche Tremblante - Rennes-les-Bains 

24 Au fil de l’eau (With the stream) - Rivel 

25 Pics du Midi et des Sarrasis - Roquefeuil 

26 Saint-Hilaire - St-Hilaire 

27 Saint-Polycarpe - St-Polycarpe 

28 Sentier des Terres Rouges (Red soil path) - Serres 

29 Chemin du Rec Grand - Villarzel-du-Razès 

INFORMATION: 

• Office de Tourisme d’Alet les Bains 

Av. Nicolas Pavillon - 11580 Alet les Bains 

Tel. 04 68 69 93 56 - Fax 04 68 69 94 07 

E-mail: info.aletlesbains@free.fr 

Site: info.aletlesbains.free.fr 


Avenue d’Ax les Thermes - 11340 Belcaire 

Tel. 04 68 20 75 89 - Fax 04 68 20 79 13 

E-mail: o.t.p.s@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.paysdesault.com 

• Office Intercommunal de Tourisme du 

Quercorb 

Cours d’Aguesseau - 11230 Chalabre 

Tel. 04 68 69 65 96 - Fax 04 68 69 65 95 

E-mail: office.tourisme@quercorb.com 

Site: www.quercorb.com 

• Office de Tourisme Intercommunal 

Aude en Pyrénées 

Maison du Tourisme - Square André Tricoire 

BP 8 - 11500 Quillan 

Tel. 04 68 20 07 78 - Fax 04 68 20 04 91 

E-mail: tourisme.quillan@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.aude-en-pyrenees.fr 

• Syndicat du Cru Malepère - Maison des 

Terroirs 

Domaine de Cazes - 11240 Alaigne 

Tel. 04 68 69 95 10 - Fax 04 68 69 33 45 

E-mail: crumalepere@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.vins-malepere.com 

• Pays d’Accueil Touristique du Canton 

d’Axat 

Maison des Pyrénées Cathares - 11140 

Axat 

Tel. 04 68 20 59 61 - Fax 04 68 20 64 50 

E-mail: pat-axat@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.pays-axat.org 

• Point d’Information Touristique du Pays 

de Couiza 

Route des Pyrénées - BP 5 

11190 Couiza 

Tel. 04 68 74 02 51 / 06 81 42 02 28 

Fax 04 68 74 11 81 

E-mail: pays.couiza@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.paysdecouiza.com 

• Service Tourisme Municipal de la ville de 

Limoux 

Promenade du Tivoli - BP 88 

11304 Limoux 

Tel. 04 68 31 11 82 - Fax 04 68 31 87 14 

E-mail: tourismelimoux@limoux.fr 

Site: www.limoux.fr 

• Service Municipal de Tourisme de 

Rennes le Château 

11190 Rennes le Château 

Tel. 04 68 31 38 85 - Fax 04 68 74 72 67 

E-mail: tourisme.rlc@orange.fr 

Site: www.rennes-le-chateau.fr 

MAPS: 

Cartographie IGN: 

1/100 000: TOP 100071 Saint-Gaudens – Andorre 

TOP 100072 Béziers - Perpignan 

1/50 000 série Orange 

2346 Limoux - 2347 Quillan 

2348 St Paul de Fenouillet - 2246 Mirepoix 

2247 Lavelanet - 2248 Ax les Thermes 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

• Terre Nature en Pays Cathare - Aude en Pyrénées 

Office de Tourisme Intercommunal Aude en Pyrénées 

• Le Pays d’Axat à pied - Édition FFRP 

• Courts Circuits en Haut Razès - Mairie de Bugarach 

• Le Pays de la Haute Vallée de l’Aude… à pied - Édition FFRP 

2008 

13


14 


Pays Corbières-Minervois 

Backing onto the Montagne Noire, the Minervois region scatters its villages along 

the narrow valleys of its plateaux and vine-covered hillsides. 

In the middle of it, Lézignan-Corbières extends over a low-lying area crossed by communication 

routes of the Aude and the Canal du Midi. 

To the south, the Hautes Corbières is already part of the Pyrenees: steep hillside 

vineyards clustered round Mont Tauch, grasslands, beeches and chestnuts of the 

Mouthoumet massif. 

Bordered on the west by the geological barrier of the Alaric mountain, the Corbières 

overlooks the sea to the east (Pic Saint Victor). It is a series of little plateaux and hills 

with isolated ramifications, dotted with pinewoods and garrigue and broken by 

gorges – Verdouble, Berre, Orbieu, Congoust, Terminet – which offer the coolness 

of their waterfalls and the blue-green of the “giants' cooking pots”. 

Ramble across Corbières-Minervois and you will also discover 

civilisations whose traces have been left by history. ■ 

Walks and rambles described in the Topo-guides: L’Aude Pays 

Cathare à pied (Walks in Aude Pays Cathare) (Édition FFRP), Les 

Sentiers d’Émilie en Pays Cathare (Emilie's paths in Pays Cathare) 

(Rando Éditions) and Topo-guides edited by The Pays Touristique 

Corbières-Minervois. 

1 Autour du Bouïchas - Albas 

2 Le vieux chemin de Bouisse - Bouisse 

3 Sentier de Bize Boussecos - Bize Minervois 

4 Boucle de Queribus (Loop) - Cucugnan 

5 De Duilhac au moulin de Ribaute - Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse 

6 Tour d'Escales - Escales 

7 Ermitage Saint Victor - Fontjoncouse 

8 Chapelle du Carla - Lagrasse 

9 Pied de Charlemagne - Lagrasse 

10 Sentier sculpturel (Sculpture path) - Mayronnes 

11 Sentier de l'Aigle royal (Golden eagle) - Montjoi 

12 Chapelle de Saint Roch - Padern 

13 Sentier du facteur (Postman’s path) - Talairan 

14 Nitable roc - Termes 


Pays Cathare 

Un pays de pays!



Château de Quéribus - Château de Peyrepertuse 

Château de Termes - Château de Villerouge Termenès 

Château d’Aguilar - Abbaye de Lagrasse 

Musée Amphoralis - Canal du Midi 

Family rambles to discover Corbières-Minervois 

The Pays Touristique Corbières-Minervois offers 83 ideas for rambles in 2 Topo-guides: Canal du 

Midi, Lagrasse villages et douceur de vivre (Canal du Midi, Lagrasse villages and the good life) ; 

Pays Cathare, citadelles et paysages sauvages (Pays Cathare, castles and wild landscapes). 

On these marked paths for all the family, you can discover the Mediterranean landscapes of the 

Languedoc. Through the unfussy friendliness of the locals of Corbières and Minervois, you will be let 

into the secrets of their land with its wealth of contrast and colour. 

LEGEND: 


• GR 36 

Castle of Quéribus 

15 Termes, château et chapelle - Termes 

16 Montagut - Thézan 

17 Boucle des pierres sèches (dry-stone loop) - Tourouzelle 

18 De Notre Dame de Faste à Ségure - Tuchan 

19 Sentier Joseph Delteil - Villar en Val 

INFORMATION: 

• Pays Touristique 

Corbières-Minervois 

24, bd. Marx Dormoy 

11200 Lézignan-Corbières 

Tel. 04 68 27 62 47 

E-mail: 

info@tourisme-corbieres-minervois.com 

Site: 

www.tourisme-corbieres-minervois.com 

• Syndicat d’Initiative du canton de 

Lagrasse 

16, rue Paul Vergès 

11220 Lagrasse 

Tel. 04 68 43 11 56 

Fax 04 68 43 16 34 

E-mail: info@lagrasse.com 

Site: www.lagrasse.com 

• Point d’Information Tourisme 

Sud Minervois 

Tel. 04 68 41 55 70 

Fax 04 68 46 31 76 

E-mail: tourismesudminervois@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.sud-minervois.com 

MAPS: 


1/100 000: TOP 100065 Béziers - Montpellier 



2445 Lézignan – Corbières 

2446 Capendu 

2447 Tuchan 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

• Rando découvertes (2 volumes) 

Pays Touristique Corbières - Minervois 

• Les petites vadrouilles (9 volumes) 

District de Mouthoumet 

• Point d’Information Tourisme du Massif 

de Mouthoumet 

Tel. 04 68 42 77 00 

Fax 04 68 70 02 05 

E-mail: tourisme.mouthoumet@wanadoo.fr 

• Office de Tourisme 

des Corbières Sauvages 

Route de Padern - 11350 Cucugnan 

Tel. 04 68 45 69 40 

Fax 04 68 45 89 83 

E-mail: bienvenue@corbieres-sauvages.com 

Site: www.corbieres-sauvages.com 

• Office Municipal de Tourisme de 

Lézignan-Corbières 

9, place de la République 

11200 Lézignan-Corbières 

Tel. /Fax 04 68 27 05 42 

officedetourismelezignan-corbieres@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.lezignan-corbieres.fr/tourisme 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Sallèles d’Aude 

Mairie 

11590 Sallèles d’Aude 

Tel./Fax 04 68 46 81 46 

E-mail: ot.sallelesdaude@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.salleles-daude.fr.st 

15


16 


Le Pays de la Narbonnaise 

In the Corbières Maritimes you have a view of the entire area: the network of lagoons, La 

Clape, the Mediterranean and, further away, the Canigou mountain and the foothills of 

the Massif Central. 

The cliffs of Leucate on the southern coastline are beloved of deep sea divers for their 

submarine richness and are topped by a plateau forged by stock-grazing and vines. 

To the north, the views from the massif of La Clape alternate between the Mediterranean 

Sea and the lagoons. 

The variety in the scenery, the richness of the biodiversity and the constantly 

changing light reveal all sorts of surprises in the islets, salt farms and fishing villages 

on the lagoons. A major part of the route for migratory birds, the lagoons 

are paradise for birdwatchers. 

The Sentier du Golfe Antique is a reminder of the old Roman trading port on the 

Mediterranean. 

The Canal de la Robine crosses the Pays de la Narbonnaise from the Canal du Midi to Port 

La Nouvelle. It entices you to take a walk or bike ride, starting in the shade of the plane 

trees and then on to the lagoons, and will show you some unusual scenery. 

To protect the delicate balance of human activity and biodiversity, the area is now a 

Regional Nature Park. 

The nature of the coastal area is very vulnerable. It is forbidden to camp, light fires, drive motor 

vehicles or gather plants here. Help us protect them! ■ 

Walks and rambles described in the Topo-guides : L’Aude Pays 

Cathare à pied (Édition FFRP), Les Sentiers d’Émilie en Pays 

Cathare (Rando Éditions), Balades nature sur le littoral du 

Languedoc-Roussillon (Dakota Éditions), Itinéraires de découverte 

et de loisir autour du Golfe Antique (Édition FFRP) 

1 Sur les traces de Rainart d'Armissan - Armissan 

2 Boucle de l'anguille (Eel loop) - Bages 

3 Bizanet un village au coeur du terroir de Fontfroide - Bizanet 

4 Boucle de Caves - Cave 

5 Boucles de Feuilla - Feuilla 

6 Capitelles de Fitou (Dry-stone shelters) - Fitou 

7 Gouffre de l'OEil Doux (Abyss) - Fleury d'Aude 

8 Chapelle des Auzils - Gruissan 

9 Sentier des Goules - Gruissan 

10 Boucle de Lapalme - Lapalme 

11 Plateau de Leucate - Leucate 

12 Boucle de Moussan (Loop) - Moussan 


Pays Cathare 

Un pays de pays!


LEGEND: 


• Sentier du Golfe Antique 


Abbaye de Fontfroide 

Ensemble monumental de Narbonne 

Réserve Africaine de Sigean 

Terra Vinea 

Cité de la Vigne et du Vin 

Lagoon of Bages. 

INFORMATION: 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Bages 

8, rue des Remparts 

11100 Bages - Tel./Fax 04 68 42 81 76 

E-mail: s.i.bages@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.bages.fr 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Cuxac d’Aude 

1, rue St Jacques - 11590 Cuxac d’Aude 

Tel./Fax 04 68 33 91 29 

E-mail: si.cucaxdaude@wanadoo.fr 

• Office de Tourisme de Coursan 

10, bis avenue Jean Jaurès 

11100 Coursan 

Tel./Fax: 04 68 33 60 86 

E-mail: 

officedetourismecoursan@cegetel.net 

Site: www.coursan-tourisme.com 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Fitou 

Hôtel de Ville - 11510 Fitou 

Tel. 04 68 45 69 11 / 71 

E-mail: mairie@fitou.fr 

Site: www.fitou.fr 

• Office de Tourisme de Fleury d’Aude 

9, bvd. Général de Gaulle 

11560 Fleury d’Aude 

Tel: 04 68 46 61 31 

Fax 04 68 46 67 34 

E-mail: otfleury@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.otfleury.com 

• Office de Tourisme de Gruissan 

1, bd du Pech Maynaud - 11430 Gruissan 

Tel. 04 68 49 09 00 

Fax 04 68 49 33 12 

office.tourisme@gruissan-mediterranee.com 

Site: www.gruissan-mediterranee.com 

• Office de Tourisme de La Palme 

Place de la République - 11480 La Palme 

Tel. 04 68 48 56 88 

Fax 04 68 48 52 06 

E-mail: otsi.lapalme@wanadoo.fr 

Site: http://lapalme.free.fr 

• Office de Tourisme de Leucate 

Espace Culturel BP 50 

11370 Leucate 

Tel. 04 68 40 91 31 

Fax 04 68 40 24 76 

E-mail: info@leucate.net 

Site: www.leucate.net 

• Office de Tourisme de Narbonne 

31, rue Jean Jaurès - 11100 Narbonne 

Tel. 04 68 65 15 60 

Fax 04 68 65 59 12 

E-mail: info@narbonne-tourisme.com 

Site: www.narbonne-tourisme.com 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Peyriac de Mer 

Place Aubin Fabre - 11440 Peyriac de Mer 

Tel. 04 68 41 38 22 

Fax 04 68 42 36 52 

E-mail: mairie.peyriacdemer@wanadoo.fr 

• Office de Tourisme de Port la Nouvelle 

Place Paul Valéry - BP 20 

11210 Port la Nouvelle 

Tel. 04 68 48 00 51 

Fax 04 68 40 33 66 

officedetourisme.portlanouvelle@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.portlanouvelle.com 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Sigean 

Place de la libération - 11130 Sigean 

Tel./Fax 04 68 48 14 81 

E-mail: sisigean@wanadoo.fr 

Site: http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/sisigean 

• Parc Naturel Régional 

de la Narbonnaise 

Domaine de Montplaisir 

11100 Narbonne 

Tel. 04 68 42 23 70 

E-mail: info@parc-naturel-narbonnaise.fr 

Site: www.parc-naturel-narbonnaise.fr 

Regional Nature Park of Narbonnaise en Méditerranée 

Covering the territory of 20 towns and villages from the massif of La Clape in the north to Leucate in the south, the park 

is a contrasting mix of wet and arid lands. 

The Park was created to protect these outstanding landscapes rich in rare flora and fauna, an incredible heritage it aims 

to enhance. It has over 200 km of marked trails for visitors to discover at their own pace what makes the Narbonnaise so 

unique and appealing. 

The Park governs a network of Nature and Heritage wardens who can act all year round as guides on walks to learn about 

the local environment. 

13 Narbonne: 21 siècles d'histoire (21 centuries of history) - Narbonne 

14 Massif de Fontfroide - Narbonne 

15 Étang du Doul (Lagoon) - Peyriac de Mer 

16 Étang du Doul (Lagoon) - Peyriac de Mer 

17 Ile Sainte Lucie (Island) - Port la Nouvelle 

18 La Bade - Portel des Corbières 

19 Boucle de Roquefort des Corbières (Loop) - Roquefort des Corbières 

20 Sigean ancienne ville frontière - Sigean 

MAPS: 


1/100 000: TOP 100065 Béziers - Montpellier 



2545 Béziers 

2546 Narbonne 

2547 Leucate 

17


18 


Le Pays Carcassonnais 

At the crossroads of the Pyrenees and the Massif Central, the Atlantic 

and the Mediterranean, and the great wine appellation areas of 

the Aude, the Pays Carcassonnais has everything to offer the visitor. 

In the heart of it are Carcassonne and its mediaeval 

city, an area settled for over 2000 years and 

rich in history. 

To the north the horizon is edged by the ridges of the 

Montagne Noire. Castles, abbeys and once-industrial 

villages appear one by one along the rivers which 

shape the landscape. 

Arriving from the west across the Lauragais plains, 

the Canal du Midi gently winds its way through the cool 

of the plane trees then, lock by lock, reaches the Minervois 

and the plain of the Aude. 

To the south, the hills and vineyards of the Malepère 

area herald the first foothills of the Pyrenees. 

The Alaric mountain overlooks the valley 

of the Aude in the east and mark the edge 

of the Corbières massif. ■ 

Walks and rambles described in the Topo-guides : 

L’Aude Pays Cathare à pied (Walks in Aude Pays Cathare) 

(Édition FFRP), Les Sentiers d’Emilie en Pays Cathare 

(Emilie's paths in Pays Cathare) (Rando Éditions) and 

Le Guide Montagne Noire Balades et Randonnées à pied 

(Édition Chamina) 

1 De la Bastide à la Cité - Carcassonne 

2 Sentier des ruisseaux (Streams) - Castans 

3 Carrières du Roi (King’s quarries) - Caunes-Minervois 

4 Cabanes de la Garrigue (Huts) - Conques sur Orbiel 

5 Ilhes à Fournes Cabardès - Les Ilhes 

6 Hauteurs de Limousis (Above Limousis) - Limousis 

7 Bois du Chapitre (Woods) - Montréal 

8 Sentier ampélographique (Wine route) - Moussoulens 

9 Sentier du Roc de Nouret - Pradelles-Cabardès 


Pays Cathare 


10 Cascade de Cubserviès ( 

11 Sentier de St Martin le V 

12 Le Roc de l’Aigle (Eagle R


erviès (Waterfall) - Roquefère 

rtin le Vieil / Villelongue - St Martin le Vieil 

(Eagle Rock) - Trassanel 

LEGEND: 

• GR 36 

The waterfall of Cubserviès. 

INFORMATION: 

• Syndicat d’Initiative d’Azille 

Allées Paul Lapeyre - 11700 Azille 

Tel. 04 68 91 59 61 

Fax 04 68 91 55 56 

E-mail: synd-init-azille@wanadoo.fr 

Fax: http://www.azilleaccueil.com 

• Office Municipal du Tourisme de 

Carcassonne 

28, rue de Verdun 

11890 Carcassonne cedex 

Tel. 04 68 10 24 30 

Fax 04 68 10 24 38 

E-mail: accueil@carcassonne-tourisme.com 

Site: www.carcassonne-tourisme.com 

• Office Municipal du Tourisme de Caunes 

Minervois 

1, ruelle du Monestier 

11160 Caunes Minervois 

Tel. /Fax 04 68 78 09 44 

E-mail: otsi@caunesminervois.com 

Site: www.caunesminervois.com 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Haut Cabardès 

Bâtiment CCHC 

Route du Mas Cabardès 

11380 Les Ilhes-Cabardès 

Tél. 04 68 11 12 48 

Fax 04 68 11 12 41 

E-mail: sihcabardes@wanadoo.fr 


Château Comtal de la Cité de Carcassonne - Château de Saissac 

Châteaux de Lastours - Abbaye de Caunes-Minervois 

Abbaye de Villelongue 

Village du Livre de Montolieu - Moulin à papier de Brousses 

MAPS: 


1/100 000: TOP 100064 Toulouse – Albi 

TOP 100071 St Gaudens - Andorre 



2244 Revel / 2245 Castelnaudary 

2246 Mirepoix / 2344 Mazamet 

2345 Carcassonne / 2346 Limoux 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

• PR Montagne Noire 

Éditions Chamina 

• Office Intercommunal du Tourisme du 

Cabardès au Canal du Midi 

Rue de la Mairie 

11170 Montolieu 

Tel. 04 68 24 80 80 

Fax 04 68 24 76 68 

E-mail: ot.cabardes@orange.fr 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Rieux Minervois 

5, rue St Blaise 

11160 Rieux Minervois 

Tel. /Fax 04 68 78 13 98 

E-mail: syndicat-initiative-rieux@wanadoo.fr 

Site: 

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/rieuxminervois/ 

• Office du Tourisme de Trèbes 

12, av. Pierre Curie - 11800 Trèbes 

Tel./Fax 04 68 78 89 50 

E-mail: trebes.sesame.audois@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.ot-trebes.fr.st 

• Syndicat d’Initiative de Villeneuve 

Minervois 

7, Promenade des Fossés 

11160 Villeneuve Minervois 

Tel. 04 68 71 20 14 

E-mail: Villeuneuvetourisme@orange.fr 

Site: www.villeneuve-minervois.com 

Below the Montagne Noire 

In contact with the schist of the Montagne Noire is a strip of ancient limestone which 

the clear waters from the Pic de Nore have had little trouble in dissolving to carve out 

a host of underground cavities. Several hundred caves have been identified, some of 

which were occupied by prehistoric man. The great abyss of Cabrespine has a huge 

underground hall some 220m high, decorated with crystals of aragonite and calcite of 

incredible size. The Limousis cave is famous for its wealth of aragonite concretions, 

the best known measuring 4m high by 10m across. 

19


20 


Le Pays Lauragais 

In the west of the Aude department, the 

Lauragais is actually three micro-regions : 

the Lauragais belt, the rounded hills of the 

Piège and the foothills of the Montagne 

Noire. 

A historical axis of communication, the 

Lauragais is crossed from west to east by the 

Canal du Midi which takes you from lock to 

lock at a leisurely pace to discover the Seuil 

de Narouze, the watershed between the 

Atlantic and the Mediterranean. 

A land of sunshine and farming with a palette 

of colours where green, russet, brown 

and gold are harmoniously blended, with 

gentle hills and rich plains where fields of 

corn, oilseed rape and sunflowers alternate 

with green pastures and rolling wooded 

slopes, the Lauragais has scenery and history 

which draw you onto the routes of 

Romanesque art or windswept hills. ■ 

Walks and rambles described in the Topo-guides: L’Aude Pays 

Cathare à pied (Walks in Aude Pays Cathare) (Édition FFRP) and 

Les Sentiers d’Émilie en Pays Cathare (Emilie's paths in Pays 

Cathare) (Rando Éditions) 

1 Sentier urbain de Castelnaudary (Urban trail) - Castelnaudary 

2 Ronde de Fanjeaux - Fanjeaux 

3 Le Chemin de Dominique - Fanjeaux 

4 Tour du Lac (Lake) - La Pomarède 

5 Boucle des Cuestas (loop) - Les Cassès 

6 Sentier des moulins à vent (Windmills) - Mas Sainte Puelles 

7 Boucle de la Ganguise (Loop) - Molleville 


Pays Cathare 


8 S 

9 B 

10 B


LEGEND: 

• GR 7 

• Tour du Pays Lauragais 

8 Seuil de Naurouze (Watershed) - Montferrand 

9 Bois des Canonges (Woods) - Villasavary 

10 Balade sur les Collines de la Piège - Villeneuve la Comptal 

Walking beside the Canal du Midi 

in the Lauragais. 

Castelnaudary. 

INFORMATION: 

• Office de Tourisme de Castelnaudary 

Place Verdun 

11400 Castelnaudary 

Tel. 04 68 23 05 73 

Fax 04 68 23 61 40 

E-mail: ot@ville-castelnaudary.fr 

Site: www.castelnaudary-tourisme.com 

• Office de Tourisme Intercommunal de 

la Piège et du Lauragais 

Place du Treil - 11270 Fanjeaux 

Nearby awaiting discovery 

Abbaye de Saint Papoul 

Village de Fanjeaux 

Tel. 04 68 24 75 45 

Fax 04 68 76 94 54 

E-mail: ccpl-tourisme@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.cc-piege-lauragais.fr 

• ADATEL 

19, cours de la République - BP 91403 

11494 Castelnaudary Cedex 

Tel. 04 68 23 46 56 

E-mail: adatelcastel@libertysurf.fr 

Site: www.adatel.fr 

The Canal du Midi and its history 

A navigable waterway between Toulouse and the 

Mediterranean, the Canal du Midi and its replenishment system 

were listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996. The 

work of Pierre-Paul Riquet took 14 years to build, employing 

12,000 labourers from 1667 to 1681. 

The numerous engineering works along its course (dams, tunnels, 

channels and flood outlets) were started by Riquet and 

completed by Vauban, minister under Louis XIV. The work as a 

whole is one of the most extraordinary civil engineering achievements 

of the modern era. 

MAPS: 


1/100 000: TOP 100064 Toulouse – Albi 

TOP 100071 St Gaudens - Andorre 


2245 Castelnaudary 

2246 Mirepoix 

21


22 

■ Association BARDANE RANDO- 

NATURE 

Madame Sandrine MOREAU 

Monsieur Dominique ERNAGA 

Le Village 

11140 BESSÈDE DE SAULT 

Tel. 04 68 20 07 65 

Mobile: 06 20 37 11 18 

Mobile: 06 12 30 64 62 

E-mail: bardane2001@yahoo.fr 

■ Monsieur Rémi DRACH 

Le Village 

11140 AUNAT 

Tel. 04 68 20 79 61 

Site: www.montagnesud.com 

■ Monsieur Arnaud DECHEZLE- 

PRETRE 

14, rue des Remparts 

11220 LAGRASSE 

Tel. 04 68 43 14 73 

■ Madame Catherine GAILLOT 

11340 CAMURAC 

Tel. /Fax 04 68 20 37 69 

E-mail: kathy.gaillot@libertysurf.fr 

Site: www.paysdesault.com 

■ Monsieur Rémy GAUD 

7, Route de Badens 

11800 MARSEILLETTE 

Tel. /Fax 04 68 79 08 37 

Tel. 04 68 79 04 18 

Mobile: 06 70 92 36 20 

E-mail: remy.gaud@wanadoo.fr 

BUS SHUTTLES 

• Perpignan - Quillan: Bus Gep Vidal 

Tel. 04 68 61 30 30 

• Axat - Quillan - Carcassonne: Bus 

Tessiers / Tel. 04 68 45 35 07 

• Quillan - Comus: Bus Vidal la 

Confrérie / Tel. 04 68 24 73 67 

Mountain escorts 

■ Monsieur Pierre GOMIS 

Les Libouillés 

11320 MONTMAUR 

Tel. /Fax 04 68 60 03 07 

Mobile: 06 08 43 16 03 

E-mail: Gomis.Pierre@wanadoo.fr 

■ Monsieur Lucien MARQUILLO 

6, Cheminement Didier Dasque 

31400 TOULOUSE 

AP. B05 

Tel. /Fax: 05 61 25 28 39 

Mobile: 06 79 22 16 42 

E-mail: Marquillo@club-internet.fr 


■ Dominique MONCLUS 

46, rue de Tournon 

31450 ODARS 

Tel. 05 67 95 14 30 

Mobile: 06 03 89 98 05 

E-mail: contact@cheminsoublies.com 

Site: www.cheminoublies.com 

■ Monsieur Claude PAGES 

6, les Hauts de Cabrerisse 

11160 CAUNES MINERVOIS 

Tel. /Fax 04 68 78 08 74 

Mobile: 06 74 29 56 27 

E-mail: claude.pages3@wanadoo.fr 


■ Monsieur Éric ROQUIS 

10, rue des Clos 

11600 VILLEGLY 

Tel. 04 68 72 38 29 

Mobile: 06 18 57 75 86 

E-mail: eric.roquis@neuf.fr 


■ Monsieur Michel SAGNOL 

Le Plein Air de Sault 

8, Av d’Ax les Thermes 

11340 BELCAIRE 

Mobile: 06 87 68 03 79 

E-mail: msagnol@wanadoo.fr 

et info-lepas@orange.fr 

Site: www.randonnee-cathare.com 

■ Madame Ingrid SPARBIER 

La Fermette 

09500 RIEUCROS 

Tel. /Fax 05 61 68 29 14 

Mobile: 06 22 15 16 88 

E-mail: sp.ingrid@wanadoo.fr 

Site: www.multimania.com/ingridsparbier/ 

■ Monsieur Patrick VALETTE 

Maison Forestière 

11200 LAGRASSE 

Tel: 04 68 43 10 37 

Fax: 04 68 69 81 21 

E-mail: patrick.valette6@wanadoo.fr 

■ Madame Catherine 

YCHE JEANJEAN 

4, Montée du Château d’Eau 

11200 FERRALS LES CORBIÈRES 

Tel. /Fax 04 68 43 59 13 

Mobile: 06 72 49 06 72 

LOCATION D’ANIMAUX 

DE BÂT 

■ Zig’Anes Pyrénées Audoises 

4, rue des Lavoirs - 11140 CAILLA 

Tel. 04 68 20 57 73 

Mobile: 06 74 91 95 08 

E-mail: info@ziganes.com 

Site: www.ziganes.com 

■ Les Lamas de la Montagne Noire 

Les Vernèdes – Route de Pradelles 

11160 CASTANS 

Tel. 04 68 26 60 11 

E-mail: 

lama.montagnenoire@wanadoo.fr 

Site: http://lamabalade.free.fr


■ Association des Guides du Pays Cathare 

4, montée du château d’eau 

11200 Ferrals les Corbières 

Tel. 04 68 71 66 68 

E-mail: conferenciers.payscathare@wanadoo.fr 

Site: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/gc.pc/ 

■ Association Départementale Pyrénéenne des 

Accompagnateurs en Montagne 

Le Plein Air de Sault 

8, avenue d’Ax les Thermes 

11340 Belcaire 

Tel. 04 68 20 77 38 


■ Maison Départementale des Sports 

8, rue Camille Saint-Saëns 

11000 Carcassonne 

Tel. 04 68 11 69 89 

■ Direction Départementale de la Jeunesse 

et des Sports 

8, rue Camille Saint-Saëns - BP 64 


Tel. 04 68 11 98 98 

■ Relais Départemental des Gîtes de France 

78 ter, rue Barbacane 


Tel. 04 68 11 40 70 

E-mail: contact@gites11.com 

Site: www.gitesdeFranceaude.com 

■ Accueil Paysan 

10, allée des Marronniers 

11300 Limoux 

Tel. 04 68 31 01 14 

E-mail: accueilpaysan@libertysurf.fr 

Site: http://accueil.paysan.free.fr 

■ Bienvenue à la Ferme 

Chambre d’Agriculture de l’Aude 

ZA de Sautès - Trèbes 

11878 Carcassonne Cedex 9 

Tel. 04 68 11 79 79 

E-mail: ipeyras@aude.chambagri.fr 

Useful addresses 

■ Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre 

64, rue du Dessous des Berges 

75013 Paris 

Tel. 01 44 89 93 90 

E-mail: info@ffrandonnee.fr 

Site: www.ffrandonnee.fr 

■ Comité Départemental de Randonnée Pédestre de 

l’Aude 

Correspondance: Maison du Tourisme Vert 

78 ter, rue Barbacane 


Tel. 04 68 47 69 26 

E-mail: ffrp@carcassonne.net 

Site: www.ffrp.carcassonne.net 

■ Météo Départementale: 

Tel. 32 50 ou 08 92 68 02 11 

Site: www.meteo.fr 

■ Secours: 

composer le 18 ou le 112 d’un téléphone fixe ou portable 

Randonnées itinérantes: 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

• Le Sentier Cathare 

Rando Éditions - 2005 / 14,90 € 

• Traversée du Haut Languedoc 

- GR 7 / GR 71 

FFRP – 2003 / 13,95 € 

• Le Sentier du Golfe Antique 

PNR de la Narbonnaise 

2002 / 4,50 € 

• Le Chemin du Piémont vers 

Saint Jacques de Compostelle 

Rando Éditions - 2002 / 14,90 € 

• Le Canal du Midi - Guide du 

Randonneur 

Les Éditions du Vieux Crayon - 

2005 / 20 € 

Promenades et randonnées à 

la journée: 

• L’Aude Pays Cathare à Pied 

FFRP - 2005 

• Les sentiers d’Émilie en Pays 

Cathare 

Rando Éditions 2001 / 7.50 € 

• Randonnées en Pays Cathare 

Rando Éditions - 2005 / 9.90 € 

• Aude en Pyrénées 

Office de Tourisme de Quillan 

2003 / 4 € 

• Le Pays d’Axat à Pied 

FFRP - 2002 

• Rando Découvertes 

(2 volumes) - Pays Touristique 

Corbières-Minervois 

2007 / 12 € 

• P R Montagne Noire 

Chamina / 14.50 € 

• Courts Circuits Hauts Razès 

Mairie de Bugarach - 1996 / 4 € 

• Les Petites Vadrouilles 

(9 volumes) 

District de Mouthoumet - 1996 / 4 € 

23


COMITÉ DÉPARTEMENTAL DU TOURISME 

Conseil Général - 11855 Carcassonne Cedex 09 

Tel. 33 (0)4 68 11 66 00 - Fax: 33 (0)4 68 11 66 01 

documentation@audetourisme.com - www.audetourisme.com 

Crédit photos: P. Davy / CDT Aude - Ph. Benoist - Réalisation t2p numéric - 04 68 77 22 22

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