Tourism: a magnificent region with beautiful scenery and a rich history

"Camping Le Malolya" awaits you in Cathar country, 5 kilometres from the medieval town of Carcassonne and 2 kilometres from the Canal du Midi (both Unesco world heritage sites).

The Cathar castles, abbeys, caves, vineyards, pine trees, cicadas and of course fine dining, make this region a paradise waiting to be explored. For a vacation with complete freedom, with an opportunity to relax or enjoy a multitude of activities, come and stay with us, you'll love the Aude and Cathar country.

Web site: www.camping-carcassonne.com

There are numerous trails enabling you to explore the Carcassonne region, with magnificent view points of the Aude and its historic villages.

Surrounding area

Lagrasse Abbey

Located in the heart of the Corbières massif between Carcassonne to the West and Narbonne to the East, this monument offers a stunning catalogue of architectural features from the pre-Romanesque period through to the eighteenth century.

St Hilaire Abbey

Located in the Lauquet Valley, the abbey was founded at the end of the eighth century. Tradition has it that it was the birthplace of the famous sparkling wine Blanquette de Limoux, which was developed at the abbey by the monks in the sixteenth century.

Caunes-Minervois

Located at the base of the Montagne Noire (Black Mountain), Caunes-Minervois is a village with a very rich historical and cultural heritage.

Limoux

Known for its gastronomy, its Blanquette sparkling wine, its Carnival, its museums, its flowers and its Rugby league team, Limoux is a popular tourist destination.

Minerve

Minerve stands on a promontory in the heart of the vineyards in the Hérault. A Cathar site, it is one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Castelnaudary

The town of Cassoulet, for which there is a festival every year in August.

The Gouffre de Cabrespine

Also known as the Balcons du Diable (the Devil's Balconies), this underground site offers a walk through the most extensive network of caves in the Aude. It is one of the largest World Heritage cave sites.

Grotte de Limousis

The largest cave that has been adapted for tourism in the Aude. It consists of 8 "rooms" and a series of stalagmite barriers.

Paper mill (Le Moulin à papier)

From the vats to the drier:

• History
• Introduction
• Demonstrations

At the end of the tour, children and adults make their own sheet of paper.

Châteaux de Lastours

A vast archaeological site and an exceptional architectural ensemble located at altitude of 300m proudly surveying the Cours de l'Orbiel river and the Torrent du Gresilhou mountain stream.

The Canal du Midi (architectural features)

Alzeau

This is the Canal's highest supply point.

Carcassonne

The Fresquel aqueduct is a three-arch canal bridge, which has the special feature of providing both a canal and a road.

Bassin du Lampy

These two artificial reservoirs were dug by Riquet to supply the Canal du Midi and then the Canal de la Robine. There are pleasant paths through the national forests of Ramondens and La Loubatière.

La Redorte

The Argent Double spillway designed by Vauban. The staircase that runs along its facade enables special access under the Canal.

Trèbes

A mill that dates from around 1700 stands at a triple lock, at the entrance to the first basin.

Lakes

Bassin de la Galaube

Constructed by Riquet as a reservoir for drinking water.

Lac de Laprade

90 hectare lake ideal for windsurfing and fishing.

Lac de Picarel

Spend a day relaxing beside this 5000m² spring water lake in the 11 hectare Montagne Noire Nature Park.

Lac de Jouarres in Homps

Water sports (sailing, windsurfing, pedalos, rowing, supervised bathing)

Windmills, Montagne Noire, St Papoul Abbey, Villelongue Abbey, Fontfroide Abbey, Château Chalabre, Château de Peyrepertuse, Château d'Arques, le chemin des Capitelles, le Musée des Automates (Robot Museum), le Musée des Dinosaures (Dinosaur Museum), O2 Aventure, Deer farm, African Safari, Les Lamas de la Montagne Noire, Safari Souterrain (underground), Animaparc, L'Odyssée de l'Olivier, le Jardin aux Plantes Parfumées, le Musée des arts et Métiers du livre de Montolieu, le Musée des Fossiles et des Minéraux de Pepieux (Fossil Museum), le Musée archéologique de Villarzel-Cabardès (Archaeological Museum), the African Reserve in Sigean and many more.

Shuttles depart several times per day from the village (800m) to Carcassonne.