The Area

The area has a phenomenal amount to offer, the following are only a few suggestions to whet your appetite.

The house has a pack of local information and a comprehensive collection of guide books about the area and its attractions.

At the bottom of this page there is a list of links to various web sites about the area (in English where available)

Towns and Villages

The area is rich in beautiful historic towns and villages such as Albi, Brassac, Carcassonne, Castres, Cordes, Lautrec, Revel, Sorèze and of course Toulouse itself (don’t be put off by the outskirts of the larger towns, the centres are charming)

Exploring

The extraordinary history of the Cathars is much in evidence and has left the area dotted with dramatic hill top castles and towns, which demand to be explored.

There is a wealth of natural beauty in the area such as the Montagne Noir, the Lacaune Mountains, the Parc Naturel Regional du Haute Languedoc, and of course the Tarn Gorges.

You could also consider a trip to experience the dramatic beauty of the Pyrenees (visible from hill tops in the area) and the Dordogne

On a completely different scale, the Canal du Midi has a tranquil, albeit man-made beauty and can be explored either by bike from the tow path. or by hire boat.

Beaches and the Seaside

If you get bored with the Pool or just fancy making sand castles, there are a large number of good beaches within reasonable reach (1.5 to 2hrs drive) along the Cote D’ Améthyste between Narbonne and Montpellier. Among the best are the many miles of sandy beach between Le Cap d’Agde and Sète. Sète itself is worth a visit with it’s grand central canal lined with cafes and restaurants.

Outdoor Activities

Locally, the Black Mountains and the Hills of Lauragais offer a wide range of activities from Rock Climbing to Hang Gliding!

If you are seeking something less adventurous, the near by lake at Saint-Ferréol, Revel. has Sailing, Pedalos & Rowing boats, Tennis, Mini Golf, Go Karting and even a Motorbike school for kids.

Slightly further a- field the Tarn Gorges and the Canal du Midi also have lots to offer the energetic. See the links at the bottom of this page..

There is a useful web site listing the local activities: Click here

Culture Vultures & Shop-aholics

Many of the local towns such as: Albi, Castres, Revel and Toulouse have fascinating Galleries, Museums and shops.

A must see is Albi. As well as the amazing Cathedral and Palace, Albi also boasts the Toulouse Lautrec Museum with 210 paintings and over 600 of the painters works. The medieval town centre is extremely beautiful, with some very classy shops and is largely traffic free.

If you are interested in antiques you will find plenty to amuse you at the many Fairs, Markets, Auctions and Shops in the area. You’ll find unusual items at prices that are considerably lower than the UK!

Students of viniculture will find plenty of vineyards and caves to visit. The only trouble is finding enough room in the car for luggage on the journey home!

Albi and other towns in the area

The Cathars

The Canal du Midi

The Montagne Noir

Revel and Lauragais

Sète

The Tarn Gorges and Aveyron

Toulouse

The French Tourist Office