Aude: Medieval Heritage, Romans and Lagoons

Massive fortifications, a castle, streets and a Gothic cathedral define the historic fortified city of Carcassonne. Together, they form an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was inscribed on the list in 1997; its history also includes the restoration led by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc from 1853 to 1879.

Roman traces and archaeological sites

In Narbonne, Narbo Via explores the history of ancient Narbo Martius. More than 6,000 objects offer insights into architecture, homes, decoration and economic life. 3D reconstructions complement the exhibition, while a modular wall displays 800 fragments of funerary monuments. The Horreum romain offers a different perspective: the underground Roman galleries in central Narbonne contain sculptures, amphorae and well-preserved Roman bas-reliefs.

Archaeology can also be explored from different perspectives at other sites. Amphoralis in Sallèles-d’Aude stands on stilts above an archaeological site where amphorae, pottery and other terracotta products were made. Reconstructed Gallo-Roman buildings and kilns illustrate the lives and work of the craftsmen of the time. In Bram, Eburomagus presents permanent and temporary exhibitions on the archaeology of Lauragais: the period covered extends from prehistory to the Middle Ages, with particular emphasis on the ancient vicus of Eburomagus and its pottery workshops. The Clos de la Lombarde, meanwhile, is Narbonne’s only visitable ancient open-air site; visitors can see two domus, baths and an early Christian basilica.

Mobile apps, printed visitor guides and village maps help visitors find their way around the royal fortresses and Cathar sites. Their history combines defensive architecture with elevated views over the Corbières and the Montagne Noire.

Discover lagoons and nature

The landscapes of Aude range from the Pyrenean foothills to Mediterranean lagoons. In the Narbonnaise Regional Natural Park, the scenery changes within ten kilometres, from the lagoons to the Corbières massif. On the Leucate Plateau, dry grasslands, garrigue, woodland, cliffs and a suspended dune shape the natural environment. These habitats support Mediterranean wildlife and plant life. Protected natural areas preserve biodiversity while also welcoming visitors.

At the Maison de la Narbonnaise, nature trails and birdwatching spots provide access to wetlands. Narbonne also offers three walks through salt-influenced wetlands all year round. The nature trail is 3.5 kilometres long and partly follows the shore of a lagoon. Routes and access may change due to local management, so check conditions before your visit. Year-round guided nature outings and accompanied walks offer further ways to explore for anyone interested in biodiversity.

By bike or on the water

Mountain-bike trails in the Clape massif offer panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the lagoons; local trail conditions should be taken into account. The Gruissan mountain-bike area covers 110 kilometres and has six routes, ranging in difficulty from very easy to very difficult. These differences can help you plan if you are looking for a particular sporting challenge on your trip. Route details may change due to local management.

The Lagoon of La Palme is suitable for kiteboarding and windsurfing thanks to its exposure to the wind and shallow water; conditions vary by season. From the Puichéric canoe centre, visitors can kayak on lagoons or a calmer stretch of the Aude. Local operating conditions apply. These options offer different experiences on the water, with different requirements.

Wine and regional cuisine

Aude’s wine region encompasses ten appellations and red, rosé, white and sparkling wines. Cassoulet de Castelnaudary is also a culinary landmark of local tradition and culture. Both subjects add regional food and drink culture to the range of cultural and nature experiences.

The places and activities featured here offer a variety of thematic starting points.

Discover more destinations:

Rieux-En-Val, Saint-Louis-Et-Parahou, Montfort-Sur-Boulzane, Issel, Fanjeaux, Quintillan, Villelongue-D'aude, Rieux-Minervois, Fontiès-D'aude, Lasbordes, Villedaigne, Moussan, Boutenac, Espéraza, Conques-Sur-Orbiel, Lacombe, Aragon, Trausse, Pécharic-Et-Le-Py, Gourvieille, Granès, Maisons, Caves, Cruscades, Mézerville, Carlipa, Caunes-Minervois, Pradelles-En-Val, Bouisse, Verzeille, Saint-Papoul, Caux-Et-Sauzens, Alaigne, Paziols, Mirepeisset, Bram, Soupex, Lapradelle-Puilaurens, Conilhac-De-La-Montagne, Roquefort-De-Sault, Laurac, Roubia, Payra-Sur-L'hers, Rennes-Les-Bains, Mailhac, Serviès-En-Val, Roquefeuil, Les Cassés, Saint-Frichoux, Souilhanels, Loupia, Ginoles, La Digne-d'Amont, Massac, Lanet, Lavalette, Cailhau, Belcastel-et-Buc, Villesèque-des-Corbières, Brenac, Pouzols Minervois, Armissan, Plaigne, Fournes-Cabardès, Pauligne, Lauraguel, Mazerolles-du-Razès, Ladern-sur-Lauquet, Belpech, Ricaud, Bellegarde-du-Razès, Argens-Minervois, Roquefère, Argeliers, Bize-Minervois, Thézan-Des-Corbières, Labastide-Esparbairenque, Saint-Denis, Duilhac-Sous-Peyrepertuse, Villesiscle, Pomas, Preixan, Routier, Canet, Malves-En-Minervois, Pennautier, Moussoulens, Aigues-Vives, Caudebronde, Montlaur, Fontcouverte, Citou, Sainte-Colombe-Sur-L'hers, Moux, Puivert, Saint-Couat-D'aude, Saint-Hilaire, Comigne, Saint-Martin-De-Villereglan, Ventenac-En-Minervois, Alairac, Montgaillard, Raissac-D'aude, Douzens, Bouriège, Gramazie, Bouilhonnac, Escouloubre, Villegailhenc, Rustiques, Montolieu, Limousis, Coustaussa, Paraza, La Redorte, Limoux, Sallèles-D'aude, Ginestas, Ribaute, Sigean, Seignalens, Verdun-En-Lauragais, Gruissan, Port-La-Nouvelle, Montclar, Quillan, Roquefort Des Corbières, Salles-D'aude, Névian, Pezens, Brugairolles, Agel, Saint Jean De Minervois, Gaja-Et-Villedieu, Marcorignan, Azille, Fitou, Vinassan, Tr�bes, Sougraigne, Saint-Michel-De-Lanès, Ornaisons, Leuc, Floure, Chalabre, Castelnaudary, Arques, Saint-Marcel-Sur-Aude, Roquetaillade, Lagrasse, Fontiers-Cabardès, Brousses-Et-Villaret, Peyriac-De-Mer, Pradelles-Cabardès, Lespinassière, Montbrun-Des-Corbières, Conilhac-Corbières, Olonzac, Roullens, Les Martys, Nébias, Rivel, Castans, Saint-Ferriol, Cabrespine, Sallèles-Cabardès, Pépieux, Embres-et-Castelmaure, Villespy, Sainte-Camelle, La Serpent, Véraza, Rouffiac-des-Corbières, Villarzel-Cabardès, Laure-Minervois, Villarzel-Du-Razès, Peyriac-Minervois, Albières, Belvèze-Du-Razès, Camurac, Carcassonne, Coursan, Fleury, Homps, Lapalme, Leucate, Montréal, Narbonne, Raissac-Sur-Lampy, Laroque-De-Fa, Montseret, Fontjoncouse, Coustouge, Ferrals-Les-Corbières, Saint-Laurent-De-La-Cabrerisse, Talairan, Capendu, Villedubert, Alet-Les-Bains, Couiza, Laurabuc, Salsigne, Cambieure, Arzens, Mas-Des-Cours, Espezel, Pieusse, Tourreilles, Malviès, Lastours, Pech-Luna, Soulatgé, Greffeil, Puichéric, Les Ilhes, Sainte-Valière, Villemoustaussou, Campagne-Sur-Aude, Villebazy, Magrie, Peyrefitte-Du-Razès, Mas-Saintes-Puelles, Félines-Termenès, Le Bousquet, Montferrand, Camps-sur-l'Agly, Villalier, Cailhavel, Saint-Pierre-Des-Champs, Arquettes-En-Val, Saint-Nazaire-D'aude, Villeneuve-Les-Corbières, Fabrezan, Tournissan, Montazels, Belcaire, Cucugnan, Cascastel-Des-Corbières, Gincla, Bizanet, Palaja, Bages, Saint-Martin-Le-Vieil, Marseillette, Axat, Villeneuve-Minervois, La Pomarède, Fraissé-Des-Corbières, Belvianes-Et-Cavirac, Alzonne, Cournanel, Davejean, Fendeille, Cuxac-D'aude, Caunette-Sur-Lauquet, Villeneuve-La-Comptal, Blomac, Badens, Saint-Martin-Lalande, Saissac, Antugnac, Fa, Luc-sur-Aude, Cassaignes, Ouveillan, Escales, La Digne-D'aval, La Force, Lézignan-Corbières, Durban-Corbières, Plavilla, Tuchan, Tourouzelle, Saint-André-De-Roquelongue, Comus, Labastide-Danjou, Salles-Sur-L'hers, Sonnac Sur L'hers, Lairière, Labastide-En-Val, Lignairolles

For the broader travel overview: Languedoc-Roussillon.