Local Attractions
The villa is located in the lovely village of Villemoustaussou which is conveniently located approximately 5km from Carcassonne. Villemoustaussou is typical of the charming villages of the region. There are a variety of local shops just 10 minutes walk from the villa to the circular village centre, including bakers (for freshly made baguettes, croissants and pastries!), butcher, chemist, hairdresser, newsagent/tobacconist. There is a small bar - restaurant.
Conveniently located just beyond the village on the road into Carcassonne is the Ponte Rouge shopping plaza which boasts a range of outlets including a Carrefour hypermarket - this is your nearest one-stop shop for all you need for a self-catering holiday, Chinese and burger restaurants, cinema and bowling alley. If you prefer to shop alfresco, Carcassonne has a general market on Tuesday and Thursday with a large market in the main square on Saturday morning.
The famous Canal du Midi is just 5 minutes away. The tree-lined canal path is ideal for a leisurely walk or just to sit and watch the boats go by. Alternatively, sample its tranquility on a boat trip from the Ville Basse.
For cyclists there are many marked cycle routes and the mountains provide a test for the more committed. The Canal du Midi is a gentler alternative for the less athletic cyclist. For the ‘outdoor types’, riding stables are ten minutes away, as is the par 71 Carcassonne golf course.
The villa is situated an hour and a half from the forested lower slopes of the Pyrenees so are very well placed for skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer. 50km north of Carcassonne is the south-west edge of the Parc Naturel Regional du Haut Languedoc, represented by the Montagne Noire (Black Mountains), providing scenic drives and challenging hiking terrain.
Conveniently located just beyond the village on the road into Carcassonne is the Ponte Rouge shopping plaza which boasts a range of outlets including a Carrefour hypermarket - this is your nearest one-stop shop for all you need for a self-catering holiday, Chinese and burger restaurants, cinema and bowling alley. If you prefer to shop alfresco, Carcassonne has a general market on Tuesday and Thursday with a large market in the main square on Saturday morning.
The famous Canal du Midi is just 5 minutes away. The tree-lined canal path is ideal for a leisurely walk or just to sit and watch the boats go by. Alternatively, sample its tranquility on a boat trip from the Ville Basse.
For cyclists there are many marked cycle routes and the mountains provide a test for the more committed. The Canal du Midi is a gentler alternative for the less athletic cyclist. For the ‘outdoor types’, riding stables are ten minutes away, as is the par 71 Carcassonne golf course.
The villa is situated an hour and a half from the forested lower slopes of the Pyrenees so are very well placed for skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer. 50km north of Carcassonne is the south-west edge of the Parc Naturel Regional du Haut Languedoc, represented by the Montagne Noire (Black Mountains), providing scenic drives and challenging hiking terrain.
Carcassonne is two cities in one separated by the Aude river which flows down from the high Pyrenees. The old "Cite" , which most tourists come to see, dates back to pre-Roman times. It is the most impressively preserved wall city in Europe and has a thriving center of numerous restaurants, hotels and gift shops. The lower town or the "New Town" dates back to the 13th century. It is a Bastide town built as a symbol of the new order with grid-iron streets with central square and defensive walls, and worthy of exploration in itself. You are spoilt for choice in Carcassonne as it offers all the amenities you would expect from for shopping, eating out or recreation.
No matter what time of year you visit Carcassonne, there’s always something to do. Highlights from the year-round list of events include:
There are many other sights are within an hour or so drive; Toulouse is a 45 minute drive, Narbonne, Béziers and Perpignan an hour away.
No matter what time of year you visit Carcassonne, there’s always something to do. Highlights from the year-round list of events include:
- Jazz Week – Beginning of April
- Carcassonne Festival - July, August
- The Cité Médiévale Set Ablaze - 14 July
- Carcassonne celebrates Southern cultures (from 19 to 22 August)
- Events in December
There are many other sights are within an hour or so drive; Toulouse is a 45 minute drive, Narbonne, Béziers and Perpignan an hour away.
The beautiful Lac de la Cavayére (also known as Carcassonne Plage) is a 15 minute drive away and with its beach and surrounding woods is a perfect spot for walking, cycling, a picnic or BBQ. This 18 hectare expanse of water is home to an abundance of wildlife and fish. The designated swimming areas are supervised by qualified life guards during the high season, and there are special roped areas for young children and less confident swimmers. Boats can also be hired. It takes about 1 hour to enjoy a walk around the lake.
Also located here is the O2Aventure park, which provides a range of activities for adults and children, including tree-top rope walks.
If you prefer the Med. you can be on Narbonne plage in an hour along the motorway - its long sandy beach, perfect for sand-castles, has a gently sloping sea bed, ideal for youngsters. A more picturesque route is following the Canal Du Midi as it meanders along the countryside towards the sea. Along this route there are various sites to take in - Minerve(slightly off the road),the Olive oil factory at Bize-Minervois, Le Somail- an incredibly pretty hamlet on the canal, L'Oppidum d'Ensérune - a roman settlement on a hill overlooking the canal and the curious l'Etang de Montady, the Seven connected locks at Fonséranes on the edge of Bezier onto Narbonne with its half finished cathedral and Roman Via Domita in the central square. The beach at Narbonne Plage is only 10 mins away although if you want something more
picturesque try Le Franqui or Leucate some 20mins further down the coast towards Spain.
Also located here is the O2Aventure park, which provides a range of activities for adults and children, including tree-top rope walks.
If you prefer the Med. you can be on Narbonne plage in an hour along the motorway - its long sandy beach, perfect for sand-castles, has a gently sloping sea bed, ideal for youngsters. A more picturesque route is following the Canal Du Midi as it meanders along the countryside towards the sea. Along this route there are various sites to take in - Minerve(slightly off the road),the Olive oil factory at Bize-Minervois, Le Somail- an incredibly pretty hamlet on the canal, L'Oppidum d'Ensérune - a roman settlement on a hill overlooking the canal and the curious l'Etang de Montady, the Seven connected locks at Fonséranes on the edge of Bezier onto Narbonne with its half finished cathedral and Roman Via Domita in the central square. The beach at Narbonne Plage is only 10 mins away although if you want something more
picturesque try Le Franqui or Leucate some 20mins further down the coast towards Spain.
Other notable places include:
Albi - About an hour and a half away, the old city is France's largest conservation area, and has the world's largest brick-built cathedral (Sainte-Cecile). The 13th century Bishop's Palace houses the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum.
Castlenaudry - 36km west of Carcassonne, this town is the main port of the Canal du Midi and the picturesque Grand Bassin is the largest open area of water in the canal, and is today its major pleasure port.
Cathar castles - Aude departement of the Languedoc Roussillon region of France is the heart of Cathar country. Carcassonne is the most famous and fully restored Cathar castle. The remains of other castles and walled cities stand on high promontories and rocky outcrops along the Cathar castle trail which are steeped in the history of the middle ages and the Catholic crusade against this heretical sect. Just 12km from Villemoustaussou are the 4 towers remaining of the Lastours castles at 300 metres altitude, at the top of a mountain spur.
Caunes-Minervois - About 18km from Villemoustaussou is this medieval village of steep, twisting, narrow streets and sand-colored stone buildings surrounding the great 8th Century Abbey that lies at its heart. It nestles among the vineyards at the foot of the Montagne Noire, the southernmost area of the Massif Centrale.
Caves - Languedoc Roussillon is honeycombed with over a dozen caves or grottos that are open to the general public. Each have their own unique points of geological interest and their own unique beauty - stalagtites and stalagmites, enchanting rock formations, underground rivers and lakes, etc. 20 minutes from Carcassonne is the Grotte de Limousis is the Gouffre géant de Cabrespine (The Giant Cabrespine Cave) and the Grotte de Limousis.
Limoux - About half an hour drive away and renowned for its sparkling wine Blanquette de Limoux which pre-dates champagne. It has to be tried and where better than at the summer night market held weekly in July and August. Limoux is probably best known for its winter clown festival, ‘Fècos’, which runs from February to April every year.
Rennes le Chateau - Known internationally and receiving tens of thousands of visitors per year, for being at the center of various conspiracy theories - including rumours of a hidden treasure found by a 19th century priest.
Toulouse - If you enjoy culture, Toulouse is a must. The imposing Place du Capitol is an ideal starting point for exploring the many churches, art galleries & museums.
Vineyards- the Languedoc region is a haven for wine-lovers. Carcassone is in the midst of the Carbardès, Corbières, Malepère and Minervois wine regions, There are many vineyards in the surrounding countryside where many producers offer vineyard tastings, whilst the local restaurants showcase these fine wines. Some of the best wines are only produced in small quantities and are rare to find outside the region but they can be bought locally at very reasonable prices.
Castlenaudry - 36km west of Carcassonne, this town is the main port of the Canal du Midi and the picturesque Grand Bassin is the largest open area of water in the canal, and is today its major pleasure port.
Cathar castles - Aude departement of the Languedoc Roussillon region of France is the heart of Cathar country. Carcassonne is the most famous and fully restored Cathar castle. The remains of other castles and walled cities stand on high promontories and rocky outcrops along the Cathar castle trail which are steeped in the history of the middle ages and the Catholic crusade against this heretical sect. Just 12km from Villemoustaussou are the 4 towers remaining of the Lastours castles at 300 metres altitude, at the top of a mountain spur.
Caunes-Minervois - About 18km from Villemoustaussou is this medieval village of steep, twisting, narrow streets and sand-colored stone buildings surrounding the great 8th Century Abbey that lies at its heart. It nestles among the vineyards at the foot of the Montagne Noire, the southernmost area of the Massif Centrale.
Caves - Languedoc Roussillon is honeycombed with over a dozen caves or grottos that are open to the general public. Each have their own unique points of geological interest and their own unique beauty - stalagtites and stalagmites, enchanting rock formations, underground rivers and lakes, etc. 20 minutes from Carcassonne is the Grotte de Limousis is the Gouffre géant de Cabrespine (The Giant Cabrespine Cave) and the Grotte de Limousis.
Limoux - About half an hour drive away and renowned for its sparkling wine Blanquette de Limoux which pre-dates champagne. It has to be tried and where better than at the summer night market held weekly in July and August. Limoux is probably best known for its winter clown festival, ‘Fècos’, which runs from February to April every year.
Rennes le Chateau - Known internationally and receiving tens of thousands of visitors per year, for being at the center of various conspiracy theories - including rumours of a hidden treasure found by a 19th century priest.
Toulouse - If you enjoy culture, Toulouse is a must. The imposing Place du Capitol is an ideal starting point for exploring the many churches, art galleries & museums.
Vineyards- the Languedoc region is a haven for wine-lovers. Carcassone is in the midst of the Carbardès, Corbières, Malepère and Minervois wine regions, There are many vineyards in the surrounding countryside where many producers offer vineyard tastings, whilst the local restaurants showcase these fine wines. Some of the best wines are only produced in small quantities and are rare to find outside the region but they can be bought locally at very reasonable prices.