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There are so many places to visit in the Minervois, you may have to come back a second or third time!

The area is renowned for its Minervois wine terroirs which are all on an official marked route. Follow the wine trail around Minervois, Corbières, Fitou, La Clape, Limoux, Cabardès, Malpère...		Ancient gateways [click to enlarge]
Château de Quéribus [click to enlarge]Bize-Minervois and Caunes-Minervois have both been inhabited since Prehistoric times. You don’t have to travel far to spot ancient dolmens and menhirs, mysterious caves and grottos, historic Roman churches inscribed with legends of the Holy Grail and the impressive Cathar castles of Minerve, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Montségur and Lastours.
Spend the day boating on the Canal-du-Midi or amble along its flat towpaths by bike or on foot. Huge, mature trees offer welcome shade during the summer months and there are many canalside villages to stop at with pretty bars and restaurants overlooking the water.Canal-du-Midi [click to enlarge]
Cyprus trees [click to enlarge]Situated on the Canal-de-la-Robine (which is close to Bize-Minervois and linked to the Canal-du-Midi) is the village of Salleles d’Aude. Built on the site of a large Roman pottery, the village’s "Amphoralis" museum displays the remains of Roman pottery and Roman kilns which have been carefully preserved. There are often pottery-making demonstrations and exhibitions in the museum.
Narbonne Now! This vibrant town is located 15km away from the Mediterranean coast and attracts visitors all year round. Throughout the summer months, culture vultures will love the town’s non-stop music and theatre festivals - and foodies will love strolling through the daily covered market (Les Halles) where local and regional delicacies can be sampled.Narbonne : les halles [click to enlarge]
Narbonne : rooftops [click to enlarge]Narbonne was once the most important Roman town outside Italy. Evidence of its importance can be seen in the centre of the town where a section of the "Via Domitiai" has been excavated. This was the first Roman road to be built in Gaul and it linked Italy to Hispania (Spain) via Narbonne. The town’s underground "Horreum" (cryptoportico) was also built by the Romans and was used as a grain store.
The site of Narbonne’s Roman Forum is just a short walk away from the centre, as is "Le Clos de la Lombarde", another excavated archaeological site. Close to Les Halles, the "Musée Lapidaire" is housed in an old church and has one of the largest collections of lapidary stones in the world.Narbonne : Christmas parade [click to enlarge]
Narbonne : cathedral [click to enlarge]The town also has many buildings which date back to Medieval times when Narbonne was an important religious centre and was thriving from trade. The imposing (but unfinished) gothic cathedral of St-Just-et-St-Pasteur still has its beautiful 14th-century stained-glass windows and its original Aubusson tapestries.
Next to the cathedral is the town hall which was once "Le Palais des Archevêques" (Archbishops’ palace). The Palais also houses museums of archaeology, art and history - and the adjoining 40-metre-high "Donjon Gilles Aycelin" is well worth the visit for its breathtaking panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside.Narbonne : place de l’Hôtel de Ville [click to enlarge]
Narbonne : summer parade [click to enlarge]The legendary Charles Trenet was born in Narbonne in 1913 and his house has been turned into a museum to commemorate his life. His most famous song, "La Mer", was written as a tribute to Narbonne Plage - and every August, a musical theatre festival ("Festival Trenet") is held in the town.
Narbonne Plage is about 15km away from the town of Narbonne and has over 5km of clean, sandy beaches which never feel crowded, even in July and August. During the summer months, there are numerous daytime and evening entertainments for all ages, such as sandcastle competitions and live bands, and the main beaches are supervised by lifeguards.Almond orchards [click to enlarge]
Carcassonne : la Cité [click to enlarge]To the south-west of Bize-Minervois and Caunes-Minervois is the Medieval cité of Carcassonne. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was saved from ruin and subsequently restored during the 19th century. English-speaking tours of the town’s citadel, its inner castle and its rampart walk are available all year round. In addition, the lower town area of Carcassonne and its bastide are also well worth a visit, along with the town’s delightful shops, its "Musée des Beaux-Arts" and the weekly Saturday morning market in Place Carnot.
Throughout July and August, Carcassonne has non-stop festivals in both the bastide and the cité. Come and enjoy street theatre and all sorts of art and live music for all ages and all tastes, as well as medieval tournaments with real jousting! And don’t forget Carcassonne’s simply stunning Bastille Day fireworks display against the backdrop of the citadel.Carcassonne Festival : jousting [click to enlarge]
Pont du Gard [click to enlarge]Other places you might like to visit are the vibrant towns of Béziers, Nîmes, Montpellier and Perpignan. Béziers was the birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer responsible for the construction of the Canal-du-Midi. The "Pont du Gard" is also well worth visiting. This amazing aqueduct was built by the Romans to cross the River Gardon and is one of the most visited tourist sites in the region.
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