Family adventure in Cathar country - Corbières Minervois Tourisme

Go back in time together to find yourself far from everyday life. Children will love being able to take a splash after a visit or even go for a donkey ride. Happiness in perspective and without a long journey. “When will we arrive?” »

Distance: 30 km

Ideal period: from April to the end of August

Termes, a flowery village dominated by an ancient fortress

It is by small winding and narrow roads surrounded by mountains that we arrive at Termes. Passage through the dug tunnels directly on the rock will certainly impress the little ones. The remains of the castle overlook the road, up there on a rocky outcrop. You simply have to look up (and stick your nose to the window a little) to admire them. The arrival in the village is surprising, the houses fit into each other on the rock, nature is everywhere.

Below Termes flows a small stream. Everyone is surprised to feel calmer, already so far from the hectic pace imposed by school mornings. The road which crosses the village requires driving at walking pace. To pass a vehicle, you must then slow down then stop to let it pass with a smile (which will be returned) and a hand signal. Once parked in the car park (free!), simply follow the signs to get to the village and the castle. Children are happy to stretch their legs on this pedestrian path which offers a very pleasant first walk.

Discovering the village is a real adventure. The numerous stairs lead to narrow cobbled streets, we race, we play hide and seek, we follow the path of the water, we listen to the song of the birds. The pitchoons are having fun and their bursts of laughter resonate against the stone walls. We go back down to the castle reception, we pause on the footbridge to take a souvenir photo then we introduce ourselves
at reception where Hannes or Fauve tell us more about the history of theone of the “five sons of Carcassonne”.
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Termes Aude Corbières — exploration of the village of terms

Attacking the remains of the Château de Termes

It is with wooden swords in hand that the apprentice knights (in caps) walk the path leading to the castle. It takes about fifteen minutes to get there but the effort is worth it. The view is sublime from up there!

Un 360° panorama reveals a breathtaking landscape of mountains and scrubland. However, we keep an eye on toddlers, because exploring the site involves some steep accesses. These places have the power to provide, for the whole family, a feeling of freedom and happiness.

GOOD DEAL FOR PARENTS!

You can buy a pass for the 3 visits planned in this article at a preferential rate. The pass allows you to have access to the entrances to the Castle of Termes, Villerouge-Termenès castle and medieval abbey of Lagrasse for €15 instead of €18,50 (price for an adult).

Discover the 3 sites pass

Château de Termes Aude Corbières — the Termes footbridge

Château de Termes Corbières Aude — view of the village ofTermes from the castle

Passing through the passes, we arrive at the castle “not broken” from Villerouge-Termenès

The road climbs, the view opens up and transports us deliciously, especially when the horses are there.

In Villerouge-Termenès, you park at the entrance to the village (free). We follow the route punctuated by interpretation panels on the history of Guilhem Belibaste, the last perfect Cathar. You may have to carry the youngest so he can see over the low stone wall along the path.

The first to see the castle wins!

You'd think it came straight out of a child's drawing with its high walls with crenellated towers and its massive appearance. THE Villerouge-Termenès castle was the residence of the archbishops of Narbonne, which is why it is located in the heart of the village. His visit will quickly become a medieval epic for our adorable little ones. We can count on Florian or Emmanuelle to give us the keys to her success.

In the village, we enjoy exploring the “quarry estreita” paved, to pass under the Saint-Jean Gate. At the bowling alley (with a view of the castle!), we have fun seeing the generations compete in the art of “tirar o puntar”.
We are even invited to participate and try our hand at removing piglets. Which leaves us with very warm memories of the welcome of the inhabitants of this small village.

Lagrasse, one of the most beautiful villages in France, for
develop the imagination

From the road, we can see the bell tower of the abbey then the bell tower of the Saint-Michel church. These are the first landmarks of our next walk in the small medieval town of Lagrasse. The visit is done on foot (or on shoulders). The Promenade shaded by plane trees borders the old village, restaurant terraces and shops are
succeed. Here, we pay attention to the road but in the village, only local residents have authorization to travel there, so the children are freer and they enjoy it. The cobblestones then transform into a game of hopscotch and the alleys send back the echo of their “1, 2, 3, Soleil!”

Vue panoramique Lagrasse Pont Vieux Abbaye rivière — lagrasse, the medieval city

Awakening the senses among gastronomy artists

In the Cour des Saveurs, an unusual experience awaits us, the vinegar tasting. If the idea can make little ones wrinkle their noses, their taste buds will most certainly be surprised by the flavors skilfully created by the master vinegar maker Cyril Codina.

Moments of complicity in an abbey classified as a “Historic Monument”

It dominates the village from the other side of the bank. You have to cross the old bridge on foot to reach it. Lagrasse Abbey has the particularity of being split in two since the French Revolution. The medieval part, the oldest, offers an architectural palette and mixes history and legend. The guided tour puts the imagination to work with sketches and images. We project ourselves into its walls which have not always been as we see them today.

Before visiting the other part of the abbey, the children's corner of the bookstore will delight little readers. There are works on the Cathars among others and works from a local edition.

A community of canons lives year-round in the religious part which is also the most recent. It is pleasant to discover the large main courtyard, the gardens and the bell tower from the ground.

“Dad, mom, what is a painted ceiling? »

The best place to answer this question is Heritage House installed in the old presbytery. It is a place of interpretation (and the office of the tourist office) where we were able to easily enrich our knowledge on the subject and explain to the children why the ceilings were painted in the Middle Ages. If you hear them giggling in the first room, it’s because they have most certainly found the blower…

Maison du Patrimoine Lagrasse — the heritage house – lagrasse

In summer, the tourist office offers free guided tours of the heritage house and the village. The perfect opportunity to become an expert on medieval painted ceilings.

The program returns next year!

3 nice spots to cool off and play in the water

When the heat is oppressive, all we dream of is swimming. In July and August the swimming spots in Lagrasse and Ribaute are perfect for families. The beaches are supervised in the afternoon, children
can take a dip safely. And for parents, the places are truly magnificent. At the foot of the abbey in Lagrasse and on the edge of the village along long flat rocks in Ribaute. And if you've forgotten the beach games, you'll find them at the Lagrasse tobacco press. And to enjoy a magnificent and shady place, you must retrace your steps, to Termes, to Termenet gorges.