Built by Pierre Paul Riquet to link the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea this exceptional architectural masterpiece has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1996.

Some delightful spots to discover by boat trips, by bicycle or by foot eg Ventenac en Minervois

In medieval times, for security reasons, the villages of this region were often situated on hilltops and built in a circular fashion hence their name : circulades.

Many examples can be found near Carcassonne, in the Razès : Alaigne, Alairac, Bellegarde du Razès, Bram, Cailhau, Cailhavel, Donazac, Issel, La Force, Lasbordes, Lasserre-de-Prouilhes, Mazerolles du Razès, Montclar, Preixan et Villeneuve-les-Montréal.

Burial place of the Counts of Carcassonne, Cradle of the Blanquette de Limoux. 15 mn from Carcassonne, in the heart of the cathare country, surrounded with wineyards, the abbey was built in the VIII century.

More than a dozen bookshops (new and second hand), with plenty of books in English.
Book market on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
Museum of Book and Graphic Trades.
Artisans' studios.
During summer holidays there are creative workshops for children

A magnificient medieval city with its wonderful 12th century main square, now a thriving town with its charming market on Monday mornings selling local organic produce, cheeses, arts and crafts

There is always something going on in Mirepoix : festivals, exhibitions etc...

FANJEAUX : After taking the sighting of a comet as the sign of God, St Dominic decided to build a monastery for the cathar women returning to Catholicism.

Le monastère de PROUILLE : in 1879, a new monastery was built to replace the one destroyed during the Revolution.

One of the great Cistercian abbeys in an excellent state of preservation. Gives a good idea of 12th century monastic life.

Near Mirepoix, a charming village with fortifications and abbey, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

The parting of the Waters. Here is the feeding point of the Canal du Midi. The water in the Canal flows either towards the Atlantic from here or towards the Mediterranean. 17th century "motorway" engineering at its finest. Excellent walking and picnicking spot.