Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, the Cité de Carcassonne is an enchantment. With its château comtal, its two walls and its 52 towers, floating above the Aude River, the vineyards and the town, it seems to have sprung from the imagination. Reinvented by the Romantic spirit in the 19th century, the Cité is an exceptional heritage preserved thanks to passion, knowledge and poetry.

Four royal fortresses join forces on the long, arid ridge overlooking the village of Lastours. On the slopes, the remains of the medieval village emerge. On this site, the only one of its kind in France, the history of men from the Bronze Age intersects with that of the Cathars, villagers, craftsmen, farmers... all seeking protection on this mighty mountain.

Close to the Cité Médiévale, in a natural setting, the Lac de la Cavayère and the Raymond Chésa leisure complex stretch over 40 hectares and are home to generous Mediterranean vegetation. A place to stroll and relax, you'll find picnic areas, pedalos, inflatable water games, a waterski lift, paddleboat hire, several beach volleyball courts and a forest acrobatic park.

The beach of the chalets was made famous by the film "37°2 le matin". An emblematic site in the Aude, the houses on stilts are a real curiosity where you can recharge your batteries. There's plenty to do here, from swimming to paddle-boarding, not to mention a range of flavours to tantalise the senses.

The Aude is a region renowned for its gastronomy and the richness of its terroir. Starting with the famous cassoulet from Castelnaudary, but that's not all! The people of the Aude are epicureans, and the Aude is the land of "living well" and "eating well"... On the programme: truffles and olives, chocolate, Blanquette and many other tasty products! You'll find plenty of good addresses to try, taste and leave with a basket full and a head full of recipe ideas!

You can't visit the Occitanie region without visiting the Cathar fortresses! You're bound to have heard of these citadels of vertigo! Perched on rocky outcrops several hundred metres high, they are the very essence of the Cathar countryside.  In the midst of a spectacular natural setting, enjoy an unforgettable experience when you visit the many Cathar castles in the Occitanie region.