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This beautiful part of the Languedoc, centred on the medieval castle stronghold city of Carcassonne, and lodged
between the Pyrenees in the south and the Black Mountains in the north, has a rich artistic, literary, culinary and
historic heritage.
The Languedoc is a geographical region of many personalities: plains and rugged mountains, lakes and
breathtaking gorges, elegant cities, numberless sprawling vineyards, hot-scented sunflowers in field after field.
The Canal du Midi is very close to the house and we enjoy fantastic views of the Pyrenees, which can still be
white-capped, even into May. This region is steeped in the bloody history of the Cathar genocide by the Pope’s
Crusaders in the 13th Century and there are numerous preserved hilltop castles within easy reach, the jewel in
the crown being the astonishing Cité of Carcassonne.
We have splendid local wines (Minervois and Corbieres are said to be de rigueur for the Noughties). Wine-sampling,
both at home and during escorted vineyard visits, is – naturally – a French House Party highlight. Our superb
chefs provide gourmet meals – and dinner at a superior restaurant is also included in our package breaks.
Less than an hour away is the little hilltop village of Rennes le Chateau. Supposedly the place to which Jesus
Christ was smuggled after escaping death, subsequent mysteries fuelled the theories and research which led to
books such as Holy Blood, Holy Grail, Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code and Kate Mosse’s Sepulchre.
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