Around Belvianes Et Cavirac

Follow the Aude river south of the historic medieval city of Carcassonne for about an hour, through Limoux, and you will find the town of Quillan. A nice little place with several hotels, around a dozen restaurants/takeaways and a good selection of bars and shops.

Continue on the D117 for 3km, past the hills known as the 3 Quilles (the hills which give Quillan it’s name) and just before the Pierre Lys gorge you will find the twinned villages of Belvianes et Cavirac. Belvianes being up on the hillside and Cavirac in the valley, the opposite side of the river.

The age of the villages is indeterminate, it is known that there was a Gallo-Roman settlement in the area but the earliest evidence is a letter dating from 1375. This said, Cavirac Church dates from the 11th century. Belvianes boasts an 18th century Gothic style Chateau and we have been told that the row of houses in which Les Citronniers sits had the upper floors open and linked to the Chateau as an escape route, the house on the far end of the row having been the watch tower.

Nestled at the bottom of a hill (Quirbajou) flanking the Pierre Lys pass, Belvianes sits around 350m above sea level, with the surrounding hills around 1000m high. The surrounding hills create a microclimate, with Belvianes often 2 degrees C warmer than Cavirac and Quillan. Yes there is sometimes snow in the winter, but not much and not long lasting (you can find more snow by gaining altitude, easily done in this area). Summertime it can get quite warm with 30C quite common.

Although the surrounding hills used to be cultivated they have been left to revert to woodland. There are many trails and recognized ramble routes in the immediate area, the village carpark being a startling point for organised rambles Some of the trails are challenging so appropriate garb is essential.

For the adventurous the fast flowing river Aude offers kayaking and rafting with several companies offering this locally. For the less adventurous water lovers there is an indoor swimming pool in Quillan, a swimming lake, or an open air pool at Rennes Les Bains (naturally heated spa water)

If skiing is your thing the nearest slope is around 40km away with others not much further.

For history buffs aside from the Cathar Castles there are many museums, abbeys and old towns and villages to explore.