The vast Minervois amphitheater stretches from the foothills of the Montagne Noire to the Canal du Midi and from the heights of Narbonne to the gates of Carcassonne.
The landscapes of the Minervois
La plain of Minervois rises towards the first shoulders of the Massif Central known as the Black Mountain. At the heart of vineyard, the Canal du Midi, classified as World Heritage by Unesco, unfolds its meanders. Since ancient times, Man has forged these landscapes of dolmens, capitelles, dry stone walls, chapels lost among the vines, vineyard houses and of "wine châteaux”, Elegant buildings reminiscent of the heyday of viticulture.
![Le Minervois et la tour d'Escales]()
the stopover tower and the Minervois plain ![Tourouzelle Chapelle Sainte Cécile]()
saint cécile tourouzelle chapel
It is by walking on the hiking trails that you will immerse yourself in the plural soul of the Minervois: between wine-growing plain and solitary hillsides, lake and ponds like that of the Aiguilles in Argens-Minervois and the Canal du Midi and its works of art. The trails of the Minervois will amaze you with their point of view, their peaceful and meditative atmosphere, the touching remains of ancient activities in the scrubland, all so close to civilization ... On the hillsides, discover the Mediterranean vegetation : olive groves, pine forests and holm oaks, scrubland… In Tourouzelle, apple orchards complete the picture. A sweet sweet nectar to discover!
The rustic “matchu pitchu”
Take the path of the Baden pine forest à Tourouzelle for a journey through time. You will go back 150 years, through the pine forest and holm oaks, discovering the old rabbit warrens, the capitelles and the shelter walls. Strolling along the dry stone walls, you can almost still hear the bleating of the sheep!
The Canal du Midi
In Minervois, the Canal du Midi begins a long slide towards the Big Blue, and begins with the Aude river in a melodious duet that winds through the vines. In 1681, the Canal du Midi, designed by Pierre Paul Riquet, became a reality, we now go from Toulouse to Sète by boat. This waterway stretches for nearly 240 km. It crosses all obstacles thanks to 328 structures: locks, bridges (one of the oldest is the Somail Bridge), aqueducts (such as the Repudre aqueduct), tunnels, outpourings ... The Canal du Midi is a Remarkable and unique work, classified as World Heritage by Unesco since 1996.
In Argens-Minervois, take a little height through the hike of Pech laurel to admire how the Pech Laurier hill was excavated to nestle the Canal du Midi, for a wedding during the passage of the famous double lock of the same name.
Jouarres Lake
Located in the heart of the Minervois, this 100 hectare body of water, on the edge of the Canal du Midi and a stone's throw from the port of Homps, allows you to practice many water activities : swimming, sailing school, canoeing, pedal boats, inflatable games on the water… But also lazing around and relaxing! Out of season, you can still enjoy the walks by the lake, picnic or fishing. In season, the Lake Guinguette allows you to eat in this idyllic setting.
![pique-nique randonnée Le Tour du Lac de Jouarres]()
picnic lake of Jouarres ![Lac de Jouarres Homps]()
windsurfing lake jouarres ![Lac de Jouarres Homps]()
swimming area and restaurant la ginguette du lac - lac de jouarres
