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Cathar and Cathar Castle
Everywhere reminders of the the Cathars, the papal Crusade against them, and the Papal Inquisition that followed the crusade.
The Cathars were a religious group who appeared in Europe in the eleventh century. The name Cathars was a name given to them and not one that they chose. The Cathars prefer to refer to themselves only as Bons Hommes et Bonnes Femmes (Good Men and Good Women). The Cathars were also sometimes referred to as the Albigeois (Albigensians). This name originates from the end of the 12th century. The name refers to the town of Albi(the ancient Albiga) northeast of Toulouse.
Cathars believed in two principles, a good creator god and his evil adversary (much like God and Satan of mainstream Christianity). Cathars maintained a Church hierarchy and practiced a range of ceremonies, but rejected any idea of priesthood or the use of church buildings. The Roman Catholic Church regarded the sect as heretical; faced with the rapid spread of the movement across the Languedoc and the failure of peaceful attempts at conversion, the Church launched the Albigensian Crusade to crush the movement
Cathar Castleruins are scattered throughout the area - usually perched on impossibly craggy and steep outcrops. There are many to visit and all are awe-inspiring. For medieval castle-baggers, there is the castle of Puilaurens just outside Lapradelle village 5 km from Axat. Also castles at Queribus, Peyrepertuse, Puivert, Foix and many others in the Corbières hills. You also need to se Château Montsegur and the nearby Rennes le Chateau who are famous for their links to the Da Vinci Code.
The fantastic Puilaurens
A Must: Axat is an easy drive to wonderful Carcassonne, Europe’s largest fortified medieval city. Carcassonne is an historic city it is the second most visited place in France. It stands magnificent on its hill 150 meters above the river Aude. Restored in the last century, it is a dream of the perfect medieval city with its three kilometers of ramparts, thirty-five defensive towers, its moat, Viscount's castle and basilica. The old Cité is a ‘must-see’. It also has interesting shops and excellent restaurants.
Cycling
With 870 km of tracks, Aude is the greatest field of mountain biking of the Pyrenees. It’s a destination of dream for the cyclists and the bikers.
Overall the Pyrenees has fascinating small villages, tiny roads and beautiful pastoral scenes making a journey through the region a romantic adventure. 
Roads are generally quiet and peaceful. The region has many prehistoric caves and alternative sports and attractions for days when you're off the bike. After a long day in the saddle, it’s possible to book a afternoon of relaxation in one of the thermal spa complex or relax along the river so you can start the next day in your journey refreshed.
The area offers some of the best mountain biking in the Pyrenees, with routes of all difficulties and durations detailed in several books of the region.
Many tracks are open all year round and offer superb views of the Pyrenean chain. There is an astonishing variety to choose from, including 93km of off-road tracks and challenging descents.
Easier routes for novice mountain bikers and families can also be found around. In the height of summer, single tracks through beech, pine and fir forests offer welcome shade. In the early autumn, wild blueberries provide a natural energy snack for bikers on the higher mountain routes.
For the more adventurous and experienced mountain biker, day trips into Spain over the Port d’Aula or a downhill section of the GR10 provide opportunities for technical descents and there are even tougher routes for the strongest of riders.
Finding your way through the wild and natural landscape brings you closer to the true spirit of mountain biking adventure.
Lake bathing
You can choose L’aude, for water sports, but for riverswimming the water from the mountains may be a little cold and the steam is often very strong (especially for children), so maybe you preferred to swim in one of the areas splendid lakes where you can swim in the refreshing waters.
At Arques lake et possible to hire boats and the place offers plenty of good picnic spots with tables and benches around the lake.To reach the lake, simply go in the direction of Quillan, in Couiza turn right, follow the signs for Rennes-les-Bains then carry on past the turning for Rennes-les-Bains, through Serres, until you reachArques. Turn right just after Arques and follow the sign-posts to the lake.
To reach Montbel go in the direction of Quillan signposted to Nebias, past Nebias to Puivert and then take the turning to Chalabre. Drive through Chalabre, taking the turning to Montbel, from where the lake is clearly signposted.
Lake Montbel, set in beautiful countryside, covers 570 hectares and offers bathing, fishing and watersports. You can hire pedals at Lac de Montbel, life jackets for young children and in the summer there is a cafe serving chips, pizza and drinks. There is also a life guard who watches a small man made beach near the café. There are cycle tracks around the lake and numerous species of rare birds to be seen.
Dhuilac's lake is in an out of the way spot close to the Cathar castle of Peyrepertuse. It is breath-takingly beautiful with natural cascades and water falls creating natural swimming pools tiered up the mountainside.
Impressing is also the spectacular Gorges de Galamus near St. Paul de Fenouillet.
Please be aware that you swim in these lakes is at your own risk. Apart from the Lac de Montbel, there are no life guards, so please take care.
France is a heaven for horse lovers : famous breeders and horses, very different landscapes adapted to horse riding at all gaits, a rich history... and the French cuisine !
You can have the nicest horse riding vacation in France by having the pleasure of riding in the astonishing landscape, among the remains of historic castles, the most famous vineyards and typical villages.Tautavel, human remains were found in a cave near the village in 1971. Their owner was dubbed Tautavel Man, and his fame is attributable to the fact that he is one of the most ancient humans known in Europe. His bones are estimated to be 450,000 years old. Prehistoric humans seem to have exploited this area as a seasonal hunting ground. The Arago Cave, where Tautavel Man was discovered, would have made an ideal base for hunting. 
There is now an impressive museum in the village, along with some of the infrastructure you would expect of a site of such international importance. You can visit the museum, including a reconstruction of the cave, and take various walking tours. If you are really keen, you can sign up to help in the excavations.
You can visit the site of prehistoric man at Tautavel
If you can time your visit to include Bastille Day, you won’t regret it. Bastille Day (Fete Nationale) is the French national holiday; celebrated on 14 July each year.
All over the France will be celebrating this event. You will be surprised how every single human being in Axat will celebrate this day. Try to make it to the Feu d'Artifice - a famous fireworks display over Carcassonne castle. It's one of the best fireworks display in the world and follows Carcassonne's history.
Fete Nationale is commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.
Market
The French people are so much attached to food, cooking and baking. So on a local market you will find fresh and local products such as cheese, bread, cakes, meat, vegetables and often fish, cider, beer and of cause wine. in short - the market offering delicious food and beautiful flowers from local producers.
Good open-air markets are held at Esperaze every Sunday morning (see also the dinosaur museum at Esperaza).
in Quillan every Wedensday.
You will find a fantastic market at Mirepoix, a town well worth a visit in its own right, and other markets Carcassonne (Saturday), Lezignan (Wednesday) are treats, and the frequent village jumble sales ‘vide-greniers’ (summer time) bring out a huge range of wares with many bargains.
Historic cathedral
Several historic cathedral cities are within easy reach, including Montpellier, Beziers, Castres, Albi, Narbonne, Perpignan, Toulouse and St. Pons de Thomieres.
When you are in the charming town Albi, don't miss the fantastic Toulouse Lautrec Museum and the beautiful garden right next to the cathedral.
Skiing
The Pyrenees mountain range runs along the border between France and Spain. It is 400 Km long and 70 Km wide. Although the Alps attract millions of tourists each winter season the Pyrenees tend to be less crowded and less expensive.
The Pyrenees mountain is a skier's paradise. It has a number of superb ski stations, each one with its own character, and offers absolutely everything you could wish for. From nursery slopes to the most challenging of black runs, Aude is fantastic for skiers of all abilities and ages. In many resorts, a variety of other snow sports are available, such as ice skating, snowmobiles and dog sleighs.
In winter take advantage of great skiing at any of the many fields.Ski slopes begin at Mijanes, 25 km from Axat
Wine
Aude is famous for its local wines and there are many caves located in nearby the village in which you can taste the local produce.
Languedoc-Rousillon produces more wine than any other area of France. it has now become recognized as consistently producing high quality wines. Very close to the village there are vineyards and fields of apricots, figs, almonds and peaches.
Historically the Languedoc-Roussillon where overshadowed by Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley. The wine region from which it is being produced more than a third of the French wine, was known in the past for its ordinary wines, a past which has been completely forgotten by the quality of its present.
Languedoc-Roussillon is very similar to a renaissance. This interesting French wine region was known since tens of years ago for the pretty ordinary quality of its wines and for the fact it was the most productive region of France. The condition of our days however tells a truly different story.
A new generation of producers and wine makers was capable of an extraordinary development, by improving the quality of grapes, the selection of the best vineyards, by adopting a scrupulous attention and modernization of wine technologies. Today Languedoc-Roussillon can be considered among the most interesting wine areas of France: not only for still being the most productive region, but also - and above all - for the high quality of its wines which are usually distinguished for the very good price to which are being sold.
The wine region - recognized as AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) - is made of two distinct areas: the Languedoc, located to the east part of the region in mainly plain territory, and Roussillon, located to the southern part near the Pyrenees.
Today Languedoc-Roussillon has a strong fame for its quality wines and - in particular - for its Vin Doux Naturels, of which the most renowned ones are those produced with Muscat Blanc grape, and Banyuls, mainly produced with Grenache Noir. In the region are also produced other styles of wines, of which the most representative ones are red - mainly produced with Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah grapes - as well as the Crémant de Limoux, an interesting classic method sparkling wine produced with Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Mauzac grapes. Despite Languedoc-Roussillon is defined as AOC, in this region there is also a considerable production of Vin de Pays.
Weather
The Aude enjoys the Mediterranean climate with oceanic and mountain nuances. It means dry, warm and beautiful summers and nearly every day the sky is a stunning azure blue. The winters are under the influence of Méditerrannée and consequently moderate, but with a dry wind. In the mountains, the winters are colder and often snow-covered. The autumn is certainly a privileged season; the days are beautiful and sunny.
In January and February the temperature is between 0-12°C, doing nighttime it’s sometimes frosty and may even snow, though this is seldom. In the mountains of cause there is a lot of snow to bee joining skiing. It is sunny around 60% of the time. Languedoc-Roussillon is quite windy in the beginning of the year.
March and April is getting warmer - 5-23°C. the wind will decrease and some days will be unpredictable, with sunny days that feel like summer. Other days will still be cloudy and cool. In the end of the period, the days are consistently warmer, many over 20°C.
May and June sunshine and warm temperatures 16-28°C. Some lovely days and less windy. Plenty of opportunities to eat outside. Nights are significantly warmer. In the end of the period the summer is arriving.
July and august - Summer is here. Temperature between 23-29°C. Many days are over 32°C and nights below 16°C are rare. But the houses stays normally cool due to the thick walls. Axat will have the occasional thunderstorm due to the mountain .Remember to drink lots of water.
September and October is still warm 20-27°C, though there is a marked different to August. Rain and winds are low, though September can feel quite humid. Some thunderstorms. In the end of the period there will be more rain and thunderstorms still possible.
November and December – oh yes, end of the autumn and beginning of winter. Rain like the end of October, temperatures are cooler. Days can be dark and cold although frosts are rare in daytimes. Only when the sun comes trough (nearly two thirds of the time between sunrise and sunset) it will lighting up a bit. Snow is rare in Axat, but in the Pyrenees mountains there can be snow in end of November.
House-hunters
Owning a little getaway pad in the South of France is just a dream for most people, but if you have the money to finance it, it can be an enjoyable and profitable long-term investment.
For house-hunters it offers a variety of small villages in the plain or on the hillsides, each with its own character and community.
Buying a house in France, you can't just arrange a date to see one or two houses each weekend like you can in your own country. You have to look on the internet, find the properties you think might suit you, when you have chosen the house(s) you want to see, book one or two week for “house-hunting holiday” in Axat.
House for sale in Axat -
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