Carcassonne - the area

Carcassonne is really two separate cities - the main city (seen above right) with the typically French boulevards and Canal du Midi, and the famous walled city (La Cité) with fairy-tale turrets which forms the backdrop to the Kevin Costner film - 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves'. All this is only a 10 - 20 minute stroll from the holiday cottage.

When you walk from your accommodation at the holiday cottage into the centre of Carcassonne, the shaded road runs alongside the Canal du Midi, past the Central Station and over the lock at Pont Marengo (named after Napoleon's horse!). The canal path makes a pleasant stroll.....or why not hire a bike and travel a little further afield?

There are beautiful lakes for swimming and boating. Lac de Cavayère is only a 15 minute drive. A little further away, up in the Montagne Noire, explore the secrets of the small lake at Pradelle, or visit the breathtaking scenery of Montbel in the Ariège.

Carcassonne is superbly situated for experiencing the mountains of southern France. To the south are the Pyrenées and Andorra ranges. To the north is the more gentle outline of the Montagne Noire.

The Mediterranean is a 45 minute drive along the autoroute. Narbonne plage has idyllic sandy beaches - ideal for a cooling dip and very safe for young children. For a real treat head across the border to Barcelona...3 hours' drive...but very much worth the effort.Narbonne plage is a great day trip.

For details on local car hire at Salvaza airport ,click here Car hire in Carcassonne.

For information about the airport click here Salvaza - Carcassonne airport