You might want to spend your French House Party free time chilling-out. Explorers, on the other hand, will find plenty to see and do further afield. This beautiful part of the Languedoc, centred on the medieval castle stronghold city of Carcassonne, has a rich artistic, literary, culinary and historic heritage.
The Languedoc is a geographical region of many personalities: plains and rugged mountains, lakes and breathtaking gorges, elegant cities, numberless sprawling vineyards, hot-scented sunflowers in field after field. The Canal du Midi is very close to the house and we enjoy fantastic views of the Pyrenees, which can still be white-capped, even into May.
This region is steeped in the bloody history of the Cathar genocide by the Pope’s Crusaders in the 13th Century and there are numerous preserved hilltop castles within easy reach, the jewel in the crown being the astonishing Cité of Carcassonne.
We have splendid local wines (Minervois and Corbieres are said to be de rigueur for the Noughties). Wine-sampling during escorted private vineyard visits, is – naturally – a French House Party included highlight.
