Maison Marguerite is located on a hillside on the edge of Limoux, a beautiful historic town by the banks of the Aude River. Carcassonne Airport is only half an hour away or you could fly into Toulouse, Béziers or Perpignan, all around 90-120 minutes by car. Limoux has its own train station with regional departures towards Carcassonne and Quillan.
From the villa you can see vineyards in one direction and vistas towards Limoux’s old town in another. On a clear day you may even be able to see the peaks of the snow-capped Pyrenees. It is possible to walk into central Limoux (1.7km) as long as you don’t mind the steep hill on the way back. En route pass a highly-regarded winery where tastings can be arranged (guests also receive a discount when purchasing wine).
Indeed, wine-growing is part of Limoux’s rich heritage – vines were first introduced to the region in the 5th century BC before the monks from Abbaye de Saint-Hilaire (14km) started producing the area’s famous sparkling wine in the 1500s. Blanquette de Limoux is still made using traditional methods and enjoyed across the town – sit back on a restaurant terrace overlooking the fountain on Place de la Republique and watch the world go by with a glass in hand. Indeed, there is a bustling restaurant and bar scene on the square and surrounding streets.
The main square also hosts a colourful Friday morning market and it’s where the heart of the action takes place during Limoux’s traditional winter carnival on weekends from January to March, the longest carnival in the world! In July and August there is a charming artisan market on Tuesday evenings.
Stroll to the Aude River to cross the Pont-Neuf bridge, then look back to admire Église Saint-Martin, a riverside church dating back to the 12th century. There are several small museums across the historic town whilst the impressive Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Marceille is a 10-minute drive away.
Meanwhile, the surrounding countryside offers horse-riding, various cycling trails, wonderful walks alongside summer canoeing/kayaking along the Aude River near Alet-les-Bains and Couiza. Challenging hikes are within easy reach including the GR367 Cathar trail (passing near Puivert around half an hour away). Lac de Montbel (30km) is a picture-perfect spot for walking, fishing, summer swimming and seasonal water-based activities. Don't forget that the Tour de France passes through or close to Limoux.
Market lovers shouldn’t miss the Monday morning market in the pretty town of Mirepoix (33km) or the bustling market three mornings a week in medieval Foix (68km), also home to the incredible Château de Foix. Look out for stunning Cathar castles across the region including Les Quatre Châteaux de Lastours (45km), Châteaude Montségur (52km) and Château de Quéribus (73km).
Not forgetting the most famous historic site in southern France, La Cité Médiévale in Carcassonne only half an hour away by car. As well as exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site, take time to soak up the ambience of La Bastide Saint-Louis with its café terraces, wine-bars and markets before walking, cycling or even boating along Le Canal du Midi.
The historic city of Narbonne (88km) is a great highlight of the region whilst the coast is just a little further. If staying in the winter months, note that skiing in the Pyrenees is possible within an hour by car.
The Region
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of those areas of France where you can feel like you’re totally cut off from the rest of the country. Commercial tourism has been very slow to capitalise on the region, meaning you can still enjoy a slice of authentic French rural life at its finest. A mixture of landscapes also makes it a great place to visit, with a good stretch of coastline offering a totally different experience to more bucolic interiors. Whatever you’re looking for, our range of villas and chateaux in Languedoc means you can get exactly the kind of holiday you want with accommodation that’s perfectly tailored to you, your friends and your family.
