In the south of France, within the Languedoc and the Pyrenees, in the heart of "Cathar_ country", come and find peace, tranquility at Suzette's house in Puivert (Aude).
Going for walks...
Once in Puivert, you'll find lots of information at the museum, at Suzette's or at the information point about marked out routes of the area, easy to find and agreable to follow on foot with your family.
"Les Sentiers d' Émilie", Emilie's paths, in the cathare country RANDO- édition
This little book that you can buy or borrow from Suzette gives lots of information on 1 to 2 hours walks in the Corbière which is an hour drive from Puivert.
The Cathare path.
A walk in 12 stages from castle to castle across the Pyrenees : Aguilar, Queribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Puivert, Montsegur, Roquefixade et Foix.
You can follow this path on foot or with a horse from Port-La-Nouvelle to Foix or from Foix to Port-La-Nouvelle. It is drawn on all IGN maps at 1/25000 like for G.R.
Be aware that some stages are a bit long and requires good walking conditions. You can choose stages which are close enough to Suzette's house so that you can sleep there and change stage each day. We suggest you buy or borrow from Suzette the book called "Le sentier Cathare" RANDO-éditions. It is a really complete guide (on french) on walks in which you can find:
* The description of all Cathare paths
* maps at 1/50000br/>
* des texts about the cathares depending on the stages.
* technical information
* Adresses and telephone numbers of cottages of the different stages
* the length in time and distance of the different stages.
Because the climat of that region is fairly hot and dry we suggest you take at least two litres of water per day and per person.
Get Going!!!
The mineral adventure
If you are passionate about speleology, you'll love the Abyss of Cabrespine 15 minutes away from Carcassonne, the caves of Aguzou near Axat ( an 8 hour visit!!), the cave of Limousis. And how about finding the one called 'cave of the dead man' 10 kilometers away from Puivert in the direction of Lavelanet.
What's more?
What can we say except that we can't say it all. You can visit as well :
The Aude's high valley , the "défilée de la Pierre Lys", the "trou du curée" (18 km), Axat (30km).
The gorges of Galamus (60km).
Limoux with its carnaval, its blanquette and its Catharama.
Mirepoix with its beautifull medieval central place and its farmers market, Alet where you can either walk around and discover the village and its really rich history, try the canoe on its river, maybe enjoy the theatrical summer or even how about the casino?
Take a hot bath in Rennes les Bains old roman thermal city(35km).
Montolieu the village of the books, a little bit further but passionating.
One week is definitively not enough!
Enjoy your holidays at Suzette's!!