ac de Saint-Ferréol. The master component in the ingenious mechanism created in the 17th century to supply
water
to the Canal du Midi, the bassin et barrage de Saint-Ferréol is now a 80 hectare park with swimming, fishing, boating, wind surfing, tennis, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and speleology.
14 km in 0h15 > Itinerary > Info
a Pomarède. Michelin * Star Restaurant in the 11th century castle which is the only attraction [JR]. Also a hotel with six beds & suite.
12km in 0h12 > Itinerary
> Info
> Michelin Guide
irepoix. 14th Century town - well worth visiting.
61km in 0h51 > Itinerary
> Info
evel.
Not just that nearby place with
the garages, wine shop and
supermarkets but a fine walled
town built in 1342 in the middle
of the
Forest of Vauré, by
order of Philippe VI of Valois.
Revel, with its octagonal shape
and original grid street
pattern, is a perfect example of
a bastide, the fortified towns
constructed in the south-west of
France during the 100 Years'
War. At the heart of the town
the market square is bordered by
medieval houses with galleries
under the first floors. In the
centre of the square a large
tiled roof supported by a forest
of ancient oak pillars
and beams is topped by a belfry,
once a watchtower. Market day is Saturday.
11km in 0h11 > Map >
Info
igole
du Canal du Midi. Built from
1666 by up to 12,000 men.
Crossing rivers, tunnelling
through hills, irrigated from
the mysterious Montagne Noir,
with grace and beauty that lives
on to this day, it runs 235
kilometres and requires over 100 locks. It is a
love affair of man, nature, and
engineering. The canal was
created by Pierre-Paul
Riquet [1604-1680] the tax
farmer for Languedoc who wanted
to join the economies of the
Mediterranean to the Atlantic.
Running within 300 metres of
Cailhavel, the rigole [lit.
gutter, channel] is a feeder
to the canal proper. The
tree-shaded banks give ideal
shelter for walking, mountain
biking and watching the
butterflies.
235km in as long as you
like >
Canal Map
> Info
aint-Félix-Lauragais.
Pop 1301. Charming walled town
with a covered market.
The
castle, built in the middle
ages, witnessed the first Cathar
Council in 1167. Today it boasts
a Michelin one-starred restaurant,
the Auberge
du Poids
Public a bar and a cafe.
Market day is unknown. The view
from the parapet walls offers a
180 degree panorama towards the Montagne Noir
- there's a Table d'
Orientation which helps you pick
out the landmarks.
6km in 0h5 > Info
oulouse.
Pop. 700,000. France's fourth
largest city and home of
Aerospatiale where the Airbus is
put together. Attractions
include the old town, the
interestingly-named Abattoirs
museum of contemporary art on
the left bank of the Garonne and
Space City.
If your main interest is the
airport, note that it is quicker via the
autoroute following the peripherique
to the south of Toulouse.
43km in 0h48 > Itinerary
> Info
illefranche-de-Lauragais.
NOT worth a visit - nothing to commend it
and market not very good BUT food shops open in the centre on Sunday mornings.
19Km in 0h22 > Itinerary
> Info
e hope that you have found this guide useful. If you have anything to add, we want to hear from you!
![Carcassonne 17/10/02 [JR]](album/carcassonne.jpg)
