The Montagne Noire is just 30 minutes from the holiday cottage..and most of that is driving up the forested slopes underneath the sweet chestnuts. The picture shows a small lake close to Pradelle. The water is clean and there are boats to hire. Lifeguards supervise bathing and it is suitable for small children.Pradelle used to supply ice to the towns on the coast. Now it is a quiet alpine style village.

The Montagne Noire offers a warm mediterrannean side as well as western slopes influenced by the Atlantic weather. And yet it is only a short drive from Carcassonne

And finally, it also supplies the water for the Canal du Midi

Cupservie is a small hamlet on the side of the Montagne Noire. The steep sides are covered by a hardwood forest with sweet chestnuts and plenty of signs saying "Truffle hunting forbidden".Cupservie overhangs a precipice where the Rieutort stream becomes a cascade for a 90m drop. There a long views southward from the local church (pictured right).

Travelling north, at the cross roads by Caninac the Chapel of St-Sernin dates from the 10th century and is set in the woods.St Sernin - photograph

Altogether a lovely part of the Languedoc.

Interested in fishing? Then try this site

Better Catch - Online Fishing Directory For Fishing Fanatics Around The World. Helping You Get A Better Catch When You're Out Fishing. Click Here Now.

We have good friends who are involved with selling artificial and fake grass. If you are interested in seeing how synthetic grass or turf can be used in a wide range of activities from sporting through to entertainment then please click on the link.

There are plenty of good sites on the Montaigne Noire.You might like to explore these:-

Pictures & climbing in the Montagne Noire. A french site but with good pictures.

Whilst holidaying in the Montagne Noire why not visit Mazamet.On the north side of the Montagne Noire it is a pleasant town with quiet streets.Once one the richest areas in France it grew strongly when local mills were asked to clothe Napoleons army.This then helped to develop the area as an international wool producer.