Family Activities

There are a whole host of things to do near to the Chateau, from glorious skiing in the Pyrenees to exploring the caves near the village of Cabrespine, between the Montagne Noire and the Minervois plain. To find out more about the village, the nearest city and the history of the Chateau, please click on the links below:

General Interest | Restaurants & Shops | Glassware | Caves | Skiing | Boating

Places of General Interest - View Photos
There are numerous vineyards to visit (with free wine to sample) and the Cathar chateaux in the foothills of the Pyrenees are a must. The chateaux, dating from the late C12th and early C13th, are impossibly perched on rocky crags and are quite spectacular. Montsegur and Queribus are particularly recommended. The area abounds with mediaeval towns in astonishingly good condition. Please follow this link to View Photos

Restaurants & Shops
Castelnaudary, famous for le Cassoulet (reputedly developed to sustain its inhabitants when under siege by the Black Prince), is 7 km away with shops, banks, a post office, market, restaurants, supermarket and boating on its large lake leading to the Canal du Midi.

Glassware - View Photos
Produced to a very high standard. Superb stained glass windows, displays of different kinds of glass work are all open to view at Villepinte. Please follow this link to View Photos

Caves - View Photos
Beautiful stalactites & stalagmites can be viewed at a number of locations, especially near the village of Cabrespine, between the Montagne Noire and the Minervois plain.Please follow this link to View Photos

Skiing - View Photos
The ski slopes of the Pyrenees are an hour and 20 minutes drive from the chateau. Aix les Bains and Les Mont D'olmes offer skiing for beginners and intermediate level skiers and are frequented by families especially at the weekends during the season. Please follow this link to View Photos

Boating - View Photos
Boating on the Canal du Midi, paddle boats and canoeing on the local lakes, one of which (le Bassin de Fereol) is about 8 km away and boasts a sand beach fringed with pine trees, a large fountain and a waterfall. The nearest coastal beach is at Narbonne Plage - an enormous man made beach- about 1 ½ hours' drive away. Please follow this link to View Photos