Pradelles Cabardès.  This is about 8 kilometeres from Mas Cabardès.  There is a fine Romanesque church there similar to the one in our village with the characteristic octaganol tower.
There is a fine lake with areas for swimming and a sperated section for boating.   A small cafe is located at the entrance to the lake and alonside to the lake is well organised campsite.

Although the journey is only 8 km it seems like rather more as the road up from Mas through Rocquefere and La Bastide is very narrow and winds round the hills with several hairpin bends.  The place when you get there is well worth the journey.

Cubserviès.   Approached by a winding road from Rocquefere Cubservies has a magnificent waterfall,  the highest fall of water in in the Montagne Noire.  For the more adventurous it can be approached on foot from Mas Cabardes.  Walk up past the Mairie and then past the church and climb the path unti you pass the sixth bridge.  It is a long arduous climb but provides wonderful views over the Pyranees and culminates in the magnificent waterfall.  If you want to make it an even longer walk you can take the path back down through La Bastide.  The complete walk is about 17 km with about 800 metres of climbing.

Pic de Nore. This is the highest point in the Montagne Noire. At the top there are magnificent views of the Pyrénées. There is a 'Table d'orientation' there which give details of all the mountains which can be seen.  In summer there are cross country bicycle races down from the Pic.

At the very top there is a television station which serves the whole of the region.  There is an excellent walk down to Pradelles Cabardes cross country.  If you drive up with two cars and leave one in Pradelles this makes a wonderful but not arduous summer days walk.

Lastours.  The village itself boasts a splendid gourmet restaurant with a Michelin star and prices to match.   For those on a more modest budget there is the Auberge behind the main restaurant which has equally good food but with a more restricted menu.   The highlight of the village is the view of the superb Cathar castles.  There are two ways to see these.   For the lazy drive up to the belvedere and then walk along as the view expands.  In the summer months there is a small charge for this and at the high season they have 'Son et lumiere' exhibitions in the evening.  For the younger and fitter you can walk up to the castles from the village, but remember to bring a water bottle.

Rocquefere.  This village is our nearest neighbour and is a former winner of the Village Fleurie contest. The village has a castle, a small cafe and an excellent restaurant called the Sire de Cabaret. In the summer there is a jazz festival held in the open air.   The superb flowers which decorate the village are maintained by Denis Lausse who keeps the shop in Mas Cabardes

Les Capitelles.  This is a region near Conques where the ground was cleared of rocks and the rocks were fashioned in small shepherds huts.  The buildings are made entirely of dry stones with no mortar.  They are built without any frame or other aid to construction.  Typically they are just about high enough for an adult to stand up.  They are only one room and would have given overnight accomodation for a shepherd.

There are twently of these stone huts which have been restored.  Well worth a visit.

Carcassonne.  This is the big city.  It is a modern city with all the usual amenities and an excellent market.  Market days are Saturdays and Thursdays and the range of fresh food available is as good as can be obtained anywhere in the world.

In addition to the modern city Carcassonne is a world heritage site and the ruins of the medieval city have been extensively restored.  The Cite is one of the major tourist attractions of Southern France.
A photo essay of Carcassonne can be seen in the photo galleries or click here.