Montagne Noire, Languedoc

The Montagne Noire is just 30 minutes from the house..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

 Pradelle lake looking towards the summit of the Montagne Noire

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 at bottom).

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

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.

 Cup Servie

 and the waterfall at Cupservie courtesy of Erwyn

 More pictures of Pradelle and the Montagne Noire are here.