Fifteen kilometers from Narbonne in the Aude department, Fontfroide Abbey is one of France’s great Cistercian abbeys. An opportunity for the curious and history buffs to visit an incredibly well-preserved, prestigious monument.
Road trip in the Corbières vineyards
Strolling among the vines, meeting winemakers, visiting cellars, discovering the secrets of wine-making, tasting grands crus… all pleasures that attract wine lovers, but not only. Nature, history and culture enthusiasts will also find much to enjoy here. Discover it!
The Boutenac Cru Route
We begin our walk in the vineyards of Boutenac, less than seven kilometers from our campsite. La Pinède campsite with Lézignan-Corbières to the north and Thézan-des-Corbières to the south. Between vine-covered valleys and verdant hills, this little corner of the Corbières takes on the air of a small Tuscany in summer. The landscape is serene, alternating vineyards, pine forests and fragrant garrigue. A gentle invitation to escape!
- From Boutenac to Luc-Sur-Orbieu: 55 kilometers
- To taste: Cru Boutenac, a small communal appellation that has earned a place in the pantheon of Languedoc wines.
- Visit: the Romanesque church of Saint-Martin de Gasparets, the chapel of Saint-Siméon and its grotto, the Villemajou hamlet (villa major)…
The Route de Narbonne #in Lézignan-Corbières
After a historic stopover in Narbonne, the Roman cradle of winegrowing, we head towards Bizanet, to reach the Fontfroide massif, famous for its Cistercian abbey, before continuing through the vineyards to Lézignan-Corbièresat the gateway to Minervois. Every summer, Lézignan welcomes “Corbières en fête”, a celebration of winegrowers and wine lovers in the streets of the town. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself more deeply in local winegrowing traditions, against a backdrop of strolling musical entertainment and food and wine pairings for epicureans who like to indulge in gourmet pleasures.
- Narbonne to Lézignan-Corbières: 70 km
- To taste: Mourvèdre, a black grape variety with aromas of pepper, resin and undergrowth.
- Places to visit : Narbonne the archbishops’ palace, Saint-Just-Saint-Pasteur cathedral and Charles Trenet’s birthplace (to name but a few), the Fontfroide Abbey not forgetting the Lézignan-Corbières market.
La Route des Étangs et de la Mer
On the edge of the Narbonne coastline, the Route des Étangs et de la Mer leads from Gruissan to Fitou, in the land of ponds and lagoons populated by pink flamingos. Between the Mediterranean and the Corbières, stop off at Peyriac-de-Mer, Portel-des-Corbières, Sigean and La Palme, where you’ll come across authentic fishing villages, wild landscapes, picturesque little ports and beaches famous for surfing.
- From Gruissan to Fitou: 75 km
- To taste: AOC Fitou, a marine wine with spicy, red fruit and garrigue aromas.
- Places to visit: the stilt cottages of Gruissan, the fishing village of Bages, the old saltworks and the Etang du Doul at Peyriac-de-Mer, the Sigean African Reserve Leucate lighthouse and semaphore, Fitou castle…
The Cathar Sites Route
In the heart of the Hautes-Corbières region, this historic route takes us into the secret secret of Cathar country a realm of “citadels of vertigo” dominated by landscapes as singular as they are spectacular. A long, beautiful journey that combines the scents of garrigue, thyme and rosemary, Cathar history and a passion for wine. And if you want to cool off at the end of your walk, the Duilhac waterfalls are just what you need!
- Lagrasse to Duilhac: 130 km
- Try the Cuvée du Curé de Cucugnan, a spicy, fruity Syrah wine.
- Places to visit: Sainte-Marie d’Orbieu abbey in Lagrasse, the military fortress of Villerouge-Termènes, the Cathar castles of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse, the Verdouble gorges…
La Route de l’Alaric
To the south-east of Carcassonne, this wild, unspoilt land offers panoramas of rare and unusual beauty, with the legendary mountain of King Alaric, the last foothills of the Corbières. Between Mediterranean and Pyrenees, This small, dozen-kilometer-long massif, culminating at 600 m altitude, is the coolest part of the appellation and the most westerly part of the Corbières.
- From Ribaute to Fabrezan: 100 km
- Taste the Cuvée Alaric, an expressive, intense red Corbières.
- Places to visit: the ruins of Château de Miramont, the Notre-Dame de Colombier chapel in Montbrun-des-Corbières, the Alaric botanical trail…