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The region and
our local area
We
are situated in a region that is rich in history, culture
and traditions; there is easy access to the famous and historical
landmarks of the pays cathare, the cathar castles,
picturesque medieval cités and bastides,
local domaines and chateaux, Romanesque architecture, and
the nearby canal du midi, as well as bustling markets
and café life with local characters. Yet we also have
sleepy old villages where stone houses and churches seem worn
smooth by the sunshine - all adding to the creative  inspiration
of the area, in a Mediterranean climate!
We
are based in Montréal de l'Aude, an ancient village
(with origins going back to Roman times) and fortified cité
with narrow circulades lanes around it's fine 14th
century collegiate church and Lieux St. Dominicains.
It was an important centre of Catharism in medieval times
and is now a picturesque 'living', hill-top village with views
beyond the Malepère massif to the Pyrenees as well
as across the Lauragais to the Montagne Noire. It's main activity
today is farming and as a centre of the Côtes de Malepère
vineyards, and its wine-tasting cellars. The village is renowned
for its annual international Folklore music and dance festival
(end of July), as well as its traditional Malepère
fêtes and Wine Fair.
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Be
inspired here all year round:
In
Spring
Spring anywhere is a great time for a break or holiday
- a time to fulfil those New Year's resolutions you
made to dedicate more time to your art! Here, almond,
apricot and wild-cherry blossom provides early colour
across the hills, where of course in the Languedoc,
spring starts earlier than the rest of France. Our first
barbecues are often in March as we feel the strength
of the sun starting to return; the appearance of the
regions colourful butterflies against bright blue skies
proves it!
In
Summer
The days are long and full of sunshine and the air is
warm. Pink Oleander is flourishing and little lizards
bask around the garden. Buzzards and kites soar in the
hills, where you can smell the sweet scent of wild herbs
and fragrant orchids. The grapes are formed on the vines
and the bright light plays on their lush green leaves.
The region is a veritable palette of colour - crimson
geraniums are in full bloom in pots and window boxes,
the tiled rooftops turn salmon pink and terracottas,
and magenta Bougainvillea flourishes on stone walls.
A blaze of sunflowers creates a yellow patchwork across
the terrain, craning their necks to face the sun full-on.
It's a perfect time for working en
plein air, perhaps with a picnic lunch.
In
Autumn
September brings plum- and fig-trees heavy with fruit....before
everything starts to change into a riot of autumn colours.
If that's what inspires you, wait until you see the
vines! Depending on the grape variety they turn into
yellows, ochres, oranges, flaming reds, russets and
pinks. Imagine this with the medieval walls of Carcassonne,
or one of our sleepy villages in the background! September
until late November is an ideal time for breathtaking
colour.
In
Winter
Our winter days can start crisp and clear..... but usually
develop into fantastic cloudless days with bright blue
skies pierced by the strange, stark shapes of cypress
trees. And the early morning mists on the plains and
valleys can be a watercolourist's delight. The light
at this time of the year, playing on the distant snow-capped
peaks, is truly spectacular. The shadows are long and
the soft light in the late afternoons brings a glow
to the stonework of the region, or a pottery jug standing
in the grounds.
On
the occasional day when il fait mauvais then
we can still make the most of it by working in the heated
studio, around the house (some lovely views)....or discussing
technique by the fireside!
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For
the non-artist a welcome awaits too!
If you are an artist but your partner or friend isn't, but
wants to come on holiday, we provide specially-priced packages
to suit. We can even arrange local classes for those wishing
to brush up their French (see section below), or our location
lends itself as a holiday destination in its own right. We
are conveniently situated as a base to explore the area further.....
- Hike
in the hills nearby, overlooking the majestic Pyrenees on
a clear day (with a local 'guide' or independently)
- Discover
the local nature trails through wooded valleys, pine forests
and gorselands; with wild boar and deer trails; soaring
buzzards and hawks; wild orchids, fragrant herbs and other
flora; chattering sicadas, strange insects, and a myriad
of colourful butterflies…(with a local 'guide' or independently)
- Cycling
along quiet country lanes or the Canal du Midi (now a Unesco
World Heritage site) with a picnic
- Swimming
(in season) or tennis in the village
- Visit
the circulades villages in the area
- Tour
around the stunning castles and hill-top forts of the Cathars
in the region
- A
trip to the Mediterranean beaches, quays and fishing ports
- Visit
Carcassonne - the region's charming capital, with it's old
centre and mediaeval walled town (also a World Heritage
site) only 15 minutes drive, or a bus ride away
- Lakeside
fishing and a local bar/restaurant are just a short walk
away in our 'living' village
- Wander
down to watch the locals play pétanque over
a beer or two (it gets serious when there's a side of cured
jambon or a bottle of wine a stake!)
- Visit
Mirepoix, a beautiful old bastide town which has
an active bustling market, or charming Montolieu, a 'book
village' nearby
- Visit
any number of vineyards or domains in the area for free-tasting
(maybe take the bike!)
- Skipper
a motorboat on the Canal du Midi (only 6kms away) and walk
or cycle along towpaths in the shade passing all the pretty
little villages, Carcassonne, or the rose-red city of Toulouse
- Golf
is close by in Carcassonne, as well as elsewhere in the
region
- The
Pyrenees are only about an hour away, so you could use us
as a base in winter for: ski-ing
(downhill, cross-country, raquetting and other snowsports);
or in spring/summer for: watersports (canoeing, rafting,
etc..), mountaineering, rock climbing, or mountain-trail
walking!
- Visit
Limoux, only 20 minutes away and home of the renowned masked
carnival (between Jan-Apr), and centre of the Blanquette
wine region
- Or
you can just relax in the gardens and grounds here!
For further
details on any of the above, just let us know.
For
those French language students and Francophiles....
We
can arrange local classes in French for you if you wish, based
in our village and individually arranged to suit, to cover
anything from Basic Conversation to Literature. These classes
are run independently by a qualified and experienced professional
tutor, who is English and can develop and adapt courses to
suit your needs, with number and time of hours by mutual agreement
(3 hours per day suggested). For more detailed information
and prices please include this when completing our Contact/Enquiry
form (under ‘What information would you like or questions
do you have?’).
And
for foodies and wine-buffs too....
The
region is famous for it's delicious Languedocienne
specialities such as cassoulet, foie gras, pork, poultry and
canard dishes; as well as a variety of local cheeses (particularly
goat's) and pâtés. All are perfectly accompanied
by a bottle or two of the local Cotes de Malepère or
Cabardès, or a little further afield, Côtes du
Rousillon, Corbières and Minervois, or the sparkling
Blanquette de Limoux. We can provide a list of recommended
places to eat in the area if required, and we are linked with
a local transport provider if necessary.
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