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Roussillon, Subregion of Southern France
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| Carcassonne, where people still speak the Langue d'Oc | Location of this French region |
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Aude(11) and Pyrénées-Orientales(66) The Aude and the Pyrénées Orientales departments in the south eastern tip of France form a square roughly from Carcassonne across to Narbonne on the Mediterranean coast down to the Pyrénées mountain range and the Spanish border. This area, Roussillon forms part of the larger administrative region Languedoc Roussillon. To understand this area, first take in the sights, sounds and smells. By air budget airlines fly to Carcassonne and Perpignan, and Girona over the border in Spain. Toulouse airport is another alternative. |
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The Aude
The Aude, known as the Pays Cathare, can be divided into five distinct areas geographically and if you are a property purchaser, it is important to understand not just the lie of the land but also the climatic conditions which come with each.
On the western flank, you have the gentle agricultural landscape, not unlike England. This granary, producing cereals and sunflowers centres around Castelnaudary and this town is where cassoulet originated, a hearty bean and sausage casserole made in a traditional earthenware pot. Slightly less hot than the coastal area, it is also wetter.
In the southern mountainous highland area, the Haute-Vallé de l’Aude, Limoux is the main town, famed for an excellent sparkling white wine. Here you will find Camurac, a ski centre in winter, plus a host of places offering water sports and outdoor tourism in summer. Expect cold winters and hot summers.
The Carcassonnais is a mix of mountains and fertile valleys, centred around the capital of the region Carcassonne with its famous fortress. The mysterious Montagne Noire rises up from the plain of the Aude, perfect riding and walking country.
Carcassonne is famous for the fairytale castle with its turrets and drawbridge, beautifully illuminated at night time. Said to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for The Sleeping Beauty this is a UNESCO heritage site visited by millions of tourists each year. Known as La Cité, it is divided from the lower part of town, the Ville Basse by the River Aude.
The Canal du Midi passes through Carcassonne. This 240km long canal runs from the River Garonne at Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea at Agde. Originally a prosperous trade route connecting the two seas, the canal now carries holiday barges and cruise boats in the summer months.
Although there are vineyards all over the region, the Corbières-Minervois is most noted for its wines – red, white and rosé with names such as Fitou, the robust red wine springing to mind. Here too in the Corbières are some of the most notable Cathar fortresses. Drive from Carcassonne to Perpignan and you will see four major sites at Puilaurens, Peyrepertuse, Quéribus and Aguilar, strongholds of the Cathar people, the religious fundamentalists of the middle ages. The Warm and sunny, there are many microclimates in these hills and you need to seek local knowledge in each area.
Narbonne heads up the wide flat coastal plain and it too is a huge and important wine growing area. Oysters from Leucate, La Franqui, sailing in Port-la-Nouvelle - this is the Mediterranean dream. Long hot Mediterranean summers await.
Pyrénées Orientales
Fire in the blood – bordering on Spain, this sun filled region of France embraces many Spanish characteristics from the Catalan language to the Sardanes danced in the streets. The Roussillon Plain, is like an amphitheatre, open to the Mediterranean, it has three mountainous areas as its backdrop: to the North there are the Corbières; to the West you have the Pyrénées and Mont Canigou; then there are the Albères mountains to the South. The Agly, the Têt and the Tech rivers flow through the region.
You are more likely to see the red and gold of the Catalan flag in this area than the tricolour of France. For Roussillon is known as French Catalonia. It only broke away from Spanish rule in 1659 when it was ceded to France and in its more recent history, half a million Spanish Republicans arrived in early 1939 to flea the Franco regime. Perpignan is the main town of this region and a good base from which to explore. Being only 30 km from the Spanish border, it is strongly Catalan in its sentiments, echoed at the famous rugby matches of USAP (XV) and the Catalan Dragons.
The beaches along this stretch of coast, the Côte Vermeille, with their stunning mountain backdrop attract many holiday makers. Collioure is the most famous village where Matisse and André Derain gathered inspiration for a new style of painting, Fauvism, capturing the bright colours and clear light. Other artists from Picasso to Dali followed suit and the village hosts about thirty galleries and is swamped with tourists. Collioure is also famous for its anchovy industry.
St. Cyprien has six kilometres of beach and is the third largest marina in Europe. It is a fishing port, also known for international golf, water sports, boating and tennis plus activities for the whole family. Further along this coast is the natural harbour Port-Vendres and the natural marine reserve at Banyuls-Cerbère, a must for underwater enthusiasts.
Mont Canigou (2784m) dominates the whole area. Towering over the valleys it is a magnificent sight in spring with the snow capped peak and the flowering orchards beneath. Take Le Train Jaune from Villefranche de Conflet (one of the most beautiful villages in France) to Latour de Carol in summer, or ski in the mountains in winter.
The famous artists visited the mountain regions also, most notably to Céret in the Tech valley. Picasso, Brague, Chagall and Matisse have spent time there and the Musée d’Art Moderne includes their work. This town in the Vallespir region is famed too for its cherries and bullfighting and nearby is the spa town Amélie-les-Bains. The mountain road from the Têt valley to the Tech valley will take you through magnificent scenery with scented pine, yellow broom and wild honeysuckle. Anyone who likes hiking, riding, canoeing, fishing and the outdoor life will find a lot on offer.
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