Cailhau: Art Walk and Medieval Local History

Cailhau offers several specific points of interest for a stay: the works of Achille Laugé, the medieval town center, and trails in the surrounding area. Depending on whether you are interested in an art walk, local history, or a longer route, different aspects of the destination come to the fore. A tradition held annually at the Notre-Dame des Prés chapel may also be important when choosing when to travel.

Achille Laugé’s Works on a Walk

A 6 km walk starting in Cailhau follows in Achille Laugé’s footsteps, taking in reproductions of his Neo-Impressionist paintings. They are displayed at the places where Laugé created the works in question. The connection between each painting and the place where it was created is therefore central to the route. For travelers who want to include Laugé’s works in their choice of destination, the walk offers a clearly defined activity.

Medieval Town Center and Church

The original medieval town center of La Motte/La Cité includes a 3,850 m² fortified enclosure around the Castellum. Medieval grain silos have been preserved beneath the route of today’s Rue des Moulins and Rue de l’église. The Porta Aquaria, also known as Porte Aiguière, was the only entrance to the fortified town of Cailhau in the Middle Ages. The Church of Saint-Christophe was consecrated in 1088. The fortifications, silos, and gate offer different insights into the town’s medieval history; the year of consecration adds a precisely dated religious-historical reference.

Notre-Dame des Prés Chapel

The Notre-Dame des Prés chapel reopened for worship on July 20, 1902. A traditional pilgrimage and a mass take place once a year on the Sunday after the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in mid-July. If you plan your trip around the event, confirm the current date in advance. July 20, 1902, is part of the chapel’s history; for your travel planning, it is the current date of the tradition that matters.

Walking Trails and Route Lengths

The section of the Voie Verte from Moulin-Neuf to Cailhavel is 21.5 km long. The Voie Verte also offers a second way to reach Cailhau via the Sentier A. Laugé. The Melso Trail leads into the neighboring forests of Malepère. Before setting out, check the current surface and access conditions on the Voie Verte; local trail conditions on the Melso Trail may also vary.

The 6 km Laugé walk and the 21.5 km Voie Verte section refer to different routes: the walk starts in Cailhau, while the other section runs from Moulin-Neuf to Cailhavel. This comparison puts the two distances in context without presenting them as equivalent types of route.

Getting Your Bearings at Place A. Laugé

Place A. Laugé is home to A’Kotee, a local grocery store and country restaurant, as well as public water and toilets. Check on-site to see what is currently available.

Discover more destinations: Caudebronde, Comus, Quillan, Villarzel-Cabardès, Arques, Comigne, Les Cassés, Marcorignan

For the broader travel overview: Aude.