Vines and Ramparts of Carcassonne

This charming village in the Narbonne region is built like an amphitheater on a hillside, offering a beautiful panoramic view over the plains of Canet, Raissac, and Saint-Nazaire, nourished by the Aude River. Be sure to visit the wine cellar and attic of the Château de Ventenac-en-Minervois to learn more about Minervois wines and their grape varieties.

Paraza is home to the majestic Château de Paraza, where Paul Riquet once stayed to witness the filling of the Répudre aqueduct , the oldest canal bridge in France, just 1 km from the port.

Charming circular village (circulade) near the Moulin de la Restanque, where you can taste and purchase regional olive oils.

Charming village centered around a 14th-century château, surrounded by vineyards, a lake, and wild garrigue. Discover local wine heritage at the Wine & Vine Museum in nearby Lézignan-Corbières (5 km).

From the Port‑Minervois harbour at Homps, walk 400 m to Lake Jouarres. Ideal for swimming, windsurfing, canoeing-kayaking, paddleboarding, or carp fishing.

A hydraulic marvel to prevent flooding on the Canal du Midi Built in 1693 on Vauban’s orders, the “Épanchoir de l’Argent‑Double” is an eleven-arched stone structure that automatically diverts excess canal water to prevent flooding,nestled in a tranquil, nature-rich setting.

Puichéric is best known among Canal du Midi boaters for its unique lock. Unlike any other, it has been transformed by Joël Barthès, a sculptor-lockkeeper, who filled it with strange figures and sculptures,an unusual sight on your boating holiday. Also worth seeing: the charming Puichéric Castle and its ramparts, the Romanesque church, and the surrounding Minervois vineyards.

Agriculture in the Aude region goes beyond vineyards, orchards, market gardening, and livestock. Rice is grown here too! The former Marseillette lagoon has been converted into a rice field, reviving a historic local tradition. For telecom enthusiasts, a Chappe telegraph tower can be visited on the village’s heights.

With 3 km of ramparts, two fortified walls, four gates, and 52 towers, Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Its stunning setting has served as a film location (e.g., Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves). Overlooking the Aude River, the fortified city comes alive in summer with events, markets, and festivals,an unmissable stop on your Canal du Midi cruise.