Suggestions
  • La Cite in Carcassonne � the old walled city - it is wise to go earlier in the morning to avoid bigger crowds. Though �touristy�, it is still worth a visit & there is a mix of restaurants & shops. The main city of Carcassonne is also worth a visit especially if market day � have a drink or lunch in Place Carnot � the square (where the markets are held) & go shopping � quite a variety from lovely lingerie, shoes, baby clothes to a great delicatessen �La Ferme� (on a corner in Rue de Verdun). .
  • Minerve � well worth a visit, built on edge of a gorge & was the last �holdout� of the Cathars � has some cafes & restaurants - a pretty drive via Cesseras & come back via Aigne (the snail town due to the way the streets wind) � do try Lo Cagarol � best to get there no later than 12.30 without a booking to avoid disappointment � card in folder in the houses.
  • Caunes Minervois Abbey � parts dates back from 11th century - they sometimes hold concerts in the Abbey as well in summer.
  • Rieux church � very unusual as the altar is built in the round � only one of its type in France.
  • Do try some of the local wines � in Useful Links under Trausse & nearby vignerons we have some websites listed. When you are booked in one of our houses there are various leaflets in a folder about the many vignerons in the area.
  • Mirepoix � a bastide town � an easy, pleasant drive out of Carcassonne � on the D119 via Montreal & Fanjeaux (both hilltop villages). You will leave the vineyards & come into rolling hills of crops & drive through avenues of trees. Mirepoix also has antique/brocante shops & art galleries to browse through as well as some good restaurants � Le Comptoir Gourmand to name one. Monday is market day with huge selection.
  • Lezignan Corbieres has a large market on a Wednesday morning � closes at 12. It has a mix of clothes/shoes etc (if you like that sort of thing), large choice of vegetables, fruit, spices, cheese, sausages, olives etc & a good fish section. You will also find a few stalls that sell the �Provence type� tablecloths/placemats as well as stalls selling materials of that type � if you like sewing. Olonzac market on Tuesday is also very good & has a mix of the above as well as Narbonne market on a Thursday.
  • The Oppidum d�nserune (signposted off D11 towards Montady) is a pre-Roman site out of the village of Nissan-lez-Enserune & is worth a visit for those interested in history. There is a small museum displaying �finds� when excavating. Another museum not far from there is at the Amphoralis showing the old Roman pottery � out of Salleles d�ude on D1626.
  • Peyrepetuse � one of the Cathar castles � a long day well worth it - so start early. The most spectacular way to drive is via the Gorge de Galamus into Peyrepetuse. You drive out of Carcassonne on the D118 to Limoux & on to Quillan on the D117 to Axat still on the D117. Follow D117 till you come to St. Paul de Fenouillet & turn left in village follow road up into the Gorge de Galamus � the road winds & turns but you will see Peyrepetuse up above you. There is a car park area & you buy your ticket near there. Wear good walking shoes as in parts the walk is steep & the stones are smooth - spectacular views & you can see Queribus (another Cathar castle) from here, too. Return to Trausse via the Corbieres.
  • Collioure � a lovely little coastal/port town south of Perpignan � about an hour & a half from Trausse. Take either the autoroute (A9) or national road (N9) from Narbonne. Known for its fresh anchovies & also Matisse painted there.
  • Canal du Midi � take a canal cruise either from Homps, Trebes or Carcassonne � usually a choice of times � approximately 1 & a half hour cruise, 2 hour cruise with lunch & perhaps others. Should be info in folder in house re these.

    Changes:  If you find new or better "Suggestions", errors and broken links, or interesting other notes please contact the Web Editor.