Montlaur!
Montlaur is in the heart of the Corbières wine growing region of Languedoc Roussillon and one of the sunniest places in France with over 300 days of sunshine a year. It is the perfect location for immersing yourself in rural village life as well as exploring the Cathar castles and enjoying this beautiful region rich in history. Some of the major walking routes in the region pass through the village. Bikes can be hired and delivered to the house and horse riding and trekking are available locally. There are many lovely places to swim in local rivers and lakes – our favourites are the lake at Taurize at 6kms, the River Orbieu at Lagrasse (with a lifeguard) at 13kms and Ribaute at 9 kms , the latter with natural deep rock pools .
Montlaur, a small village of less than 600 residents, is a thriving little centre for the six villages in the Val Dagne and in additional to local shops there are five different wine producers providing wine tasting in the village. Market stalls with organic bread, local produce including fruit, vegetables, honey and cheeses, take place weekly in the summer in the main square. The annual grape harvest in late September is major event in the calendar.
The rock pools at Ribaute
Carcassonne
Carcassonne (24km) is the second most visited French city, following Paris. It has an amazing walled and fortified city, Le Cite, dating from the Middle Ages and this is central to the Cathar history as told in the Kate Mosse books “Sepulchre” and “Labyrinth”. The castle has a complete medieval defensive architectural ensemble and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Carcassonne hosts a huge music festival for the month of July with events to suit every taste.
The Canal du Midi, also a World Heritage site, meanders through the region. The nearest section is at Trebes, twenty minutes away, with the opportunity to take boat rides to Carcassonne and beyond. Alternatively you can relax in waterfront cafes and bars and watch the world go by.
Local Water Activities
The local area has many activities, the most popular include activites on the numerous lakes and rivers. It’s common place to see people fishing, swimming, and eating by rives and lakes. For those that want something a little more active there are tree ropes to navigate and some inflatables at a near by river beach. There is even a zip line across the water for those wanting a real adrenaline rush.
Boating is a common family past time, and there are a number of water vehicles that can be rented including powerboats, paddle boards and the more relaxed pedalo.
The Mairie in Montlaur
Lagrasse
Numerous fetes, concerts and village festivals take place in Montlaur and surrounding villages during the summer – here you can participate in village meals, listen to traditional occitan songs, enjoy the entertainment and dance to live music. Petanque (boules) is the favourite sport. There is a well equipped play area for small children and a pleasant park.
Lagrasse (12km) is part of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France Association ("The most beautiful villages of France"). The village is famed for its 13th century abbey, medieval houses and streets, book and pottery fairs and concerts over the summer months, and a lovely 12th century hump backed bridge. It is good place to explore at any time of the year and has a number of good restaurants.
Village Meals
The village of Montlaur has a strong community, and social events are common. Village meals are common where people from the local area join us for a celebration of French food and lovely wine. It’s always very fun and lovely talking to people in other areas.
Once the meal is complete there is normally a social event including music, dancing and more wine. The meal shown in the photo was a particularly lovely Cassoulet and there were smiles all night long
Carcassonne plage
Lac de Cavayere, also known as Carcassonne Plage, is a stunning man-made lake located just a few kilometers from the historic city of Carcassonne in southern France. The lake covers an area of 40 hectares and is surrounded by beautiful pine forests.
There are many activities to enjoy at Lac de Cavayere, including swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing. For those who prefer to stay on land, there are hiking and cycling trails around the lake that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. There is even a mini-golf course and a treetop adventure park for children and adults alike.
If you want to relax and soak up the sun, there are many beaches around the lake with soft sand and clear water. There are also several picnic areas and restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal with a view of the lake.