Aude: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Aude stretches from the foothills of the Pyrenees to Mediterranean lagoons and combines protected natural areas, historic sites, aquatic landscapes and regional cuisine. The search for a holiday apartment to rent can be continued using the following selection of locations.

Culture and history

The fortified historic centre of Carcassonne is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified city with imposing defensive structures, a castle, streets and a Gothic cathedral. Its exceptional significance also includes the restoration campaign by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc carried out from 1853 to 1879. The fortified historic centre of Carcassonne was added to the World Heritage List in 1997.

In Narbonne, Narbo Via tells the story of the ancient city of Narbo Martius through more than 6,000 objects: from architecture, houses and decoration to economic life. The museum includes 3D reconstructions and a modular wall with 800 fragments of funerary monuments. In the centre of Narbonne, the Horreum romain is also located there, an underground Roman gallery complex containing sculptures, amphorae and well-preserved Roman low-reliefs.

Amphoralis in Sallèles-d'Aude stands on stilts above an archaeological site where amphorae, pottery and other terracotta materials were produced. Reconstructed Gallo-Roman buildings and kilns illustrate the life and work of ancient craftsmen. Eburomagus in Bram presents permanent and temporary exhibitions on the archaeology of the Lauragais from prehistory to the Middle Ages, with a particular focus on the ancient Vicus Eburomagus and its pottery workshops. The Clos de la Lombarde is Narbonne's only ancient open-air site that can be visited and includes two domus, baths and an early Christian basilica.

The heritage of Aude's royal fortresses combines military architecture with elevated views over the Corbières and the Montagne Noire. Mobile applications, printed visitor guides and site maps are available for the royal fortresses and Cathar sites.

Nature and landscape

In the Narbonnaise Regional Nature Park, the landscape changes within 10 kilometres from Mediterranean lagoons to the Corbières Massif. The Leucate Plateau combines dry grasslands, garrigue, woodland, cliffs and a perched dune; these landscapes support Mediterranean flora and fauna. Aude's natural habitats extend from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean lagoons. Protected natural areas preserve biodiversity while also welcoming the public.

At the Maison de la Narbonnaise, the wetlands contain a network of nature trails and birdwatching stations. The Maison de la Narbonnaise in Narbonne offers three paths through salt marshes that can be visited year-round. The nature trail is 3.5 kilometres long and follows part of the shore of a lagoon.

Cycling, water and activities

The Clape Massif offers mountain-biking trails with panoramic views over the Mediterranean and the lagoons. In Gruissan, the mountain-biking area covers 110 kilometres and includes six circular routes, with difficulty levels ranging from very easy to very difficult. The La Palme lagoon is suitable for kitesurfing and windsurfing due to its exposure to the wind and shallow water.

The Aude section of the Canal du Midi covers 36.6 kilometres between Moussan and Port-la-Nouvelle and includes part of the Canal de la Robine. At the canoe centre in Puichéric, visitors can go kayaking on lagoons or on a quieter stretch of the Aude. Guided nature excursions and walks with commentary focusing on biodiversity are available year-round.

Wine and regional cuisine

Aude has ten wine appellations, covering red, rosé, white and sparkling wines. Cassoulet de Castelnaudary is an emblematic dish from Aude, rooted in local tradition and culture.

Places in Aude

Other places in Aude: Belvèze-Du-Razès, Camurac, Carcassonne, Coursan, Fleury, Homps, Lapalme, Leucate, Montréal, Narbonne, Olonzac, Quillan, Roquefort Des Corbières, Salles-D'aude, Seignalens, Verdun-En-Lauragais, Gruissan, Port-La-Nouvelle, Montclar, Ribaute, Sigean, Sallèles-D'aude, Ginestas, Montseret, Fontjoncouse, Coustouge, Ferrals-Les-Corbières, Saint-Laurent-De-La-Cabrerisse, Talairan, Capendu, Villedubert, Alet-Les-Bains, Couiza, Laurabuc, Limoux, Comus, Labastide-Danjou, Salles-Sur-L'hers, Sonnac Sur L\'hers, 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, Montolieu, Limousis, Coustaussa, Paraza, La Redorte, Argeliers, Bize-Minervois, Thézan-Des-Corbières, Labastide-Esparbairenque, Saint-Denis, Duilhac-Sous-Peyrepertuse, Cailhavel, Saint-Pierre-Des-Champs, Arquettes-En-Val, Saint-Nazaire-D'aude, Fabrezan, Escales, La Digne-D'aval, La Force, Lézignan-Corbières, Durban-Corbières, Villeneuve-Les-Corbières, Montbrun-Des-Corbières, Conilhac-Corbières, Villarzel-Du-Razès, Peyriac-Minervois, Albières, 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, Villedaigne, Moussan, Boutenac, Espéraza, Labastide-En-Val, Villelongue-D'aude, Rieux-Minervois, Ventenac-En-Minervois, Alairac, Montgaillard, Raissac-D'aude, Douzens, Bouriège, Gramazie, Bouilhonnac, Escouloubre, Villegailhenc, Rustiques, Cabrespine, Sallèles-Cabardès, Saint-Hilaire, Comigne, Saint-Martin-De-Villereglan, Lignairolles, Saint-André-De-Roquelongue, Raissac-Sur-Lampy, Laroque-De-Fa, Saint-Couat-D'aude, Rieux-En-Val, Saint-Louis-Et-Parahou, Montfort-Sur-Boulzane, Issel, Fanjeaux, Quintillan, Moux, Puivert, Pépieux, Conques-Sur-Orbiel, Lacombe, Aragon, Trausse, Pécharic-Et-Le-Py, Fontiès-D'aude, Lasbordes, Sainte-Colombe-Sur-L'hers, 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, Plavilla, Tuchan, Tourouzelle, Caudebronde, Montlaur, Fontcouverte, Citou, Pomas, Preixan, Routier, Canet, Malves-En-Minervois, Pennautier, Moussoulens, Aigues-Vives, Névian, Pezens, Salsigne, 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, Fa, Véraza, Rouffiac-des-Corbières, Villarzel-Cabardès, Laure-Minervois, Luc-sur-Aude, Cassaignes, Ouveillan, Embres-et-Castelmaure, Villespy, Sainte-Camelle, La Serpent, Tournissan, Villesiscle, Lairière, Le Bousquet, Montferrand, Camps-sur-l'Agly, Villalier, Roullens, Les Martys, Nébias, Rivel, Castans, Saint-Ferriol, Cruscades, Mézerville, Carlipa, Gourvieille, Granès, Maisons, Caves.

To the higher-level travel overview: Languedoc-Roussillon.