OLD DURBAN SIGHTSEEING

The Old Durban sightseeing circuit is a marked circuit with 14 key points to learn all about the old village’s heritage, departing from the quay that runs along the Berre all the way to the fort overlooked by the Castle of the Lords of Durban, built in the 11th century.

The starting point is on Avenue de Narbonne, by the 19th-century fountain, at the foot of the Eiffel-style footbridge.

Cross the road (Avenue des Corbières) and begin your ascent to the fort via Rue de la Paix. Continue uphill, taking Rue des Escaliers then Rue Rampe du Fort (a small town square, Place Dupré is to your left). Turn right onto Rue du Fort and enter the Fort quarter through the porch tower in the castle wall, which guarded the north entrance. Pass by the Church of Saints Justus and Pastor. The 11th-century Castle of the Lords of Durban is on your right.

You have a choice of two circuits to go back down to the quay:

1. Via Chemin des Lisses (this is a path that runs alongside the castle). This brings you to Rue du Fort. Cross the street and take the tiny steps to Rue Bellevue. Turn left and take a series of steps, and follow the passage to Avenue des Corbières. Return to the starting point.

2. Via Rue des Remparts, join up with Rue Rampe du Fort and go down towards Avenue des Corbières (via Rue du Centre); see the old cobbled village streets and the covered streets, typical of medieval architecture. Return to the starting point.

DepartmentAude
Departure municipalityDurban-Corbières
Outing typeVillage visit
DifficultyEasy
Duration1h30
Recommended periodfrom january to december
EnvironmentCountryside
Kilometres2 km
Altitude upon departure80m
Change in altitude30m

Location: 18 km away from the Villa

LAKE JOUARESS

Easy walk. Lake with artificial beach, supervised in the summer, water sports in season (windsurfing, sailint, etc.), Canal du Midi and water sports centre close by.

From Olonzac, follow signs to Lake Jouarres, and take the marked trail at the lake.

DepartmentHérault
Departure municipalityOlonzac
Outing typeHike
DifficultyEasy
Duration3h00
Recommended periodfrom january to december
EnvironmentCountryside
Kilometres10 km
Altitude upon departure50m

Location: 16 km away from the Villa

FROM CARCASSONNE TO LAKE LA CAVAYERE

Set off to discover the fortified town of Saint-Louis and the medieval city of Carcassonne, before heading towards Lake La Cavayère, stopping at the Australian Park along the way.

I

tinerary departs from thefortified town of Saint-Louis in Carcassonne.

  • 1st stopping place: Carcassonne city centre: thefortified town of Saint-Louis with its shops and museums.
  • 2nd stopping place: head towards the medieval city after crossing the New Bridge (Pont Neuf). Discover its fortifications, castle, museums and numerous restaurants.
  • 3rd stopping place: head towards Lake La Cavayère, 7 km south-east of the city. Take the Route de la Cavayère through the hamlet of Montlegun. On the way, you can stop at the Australian Park. Once at the lake, you can enjoy a walk around the lake. Treetop rope course, supervised swimming in the summer (Carcassonne beach). Walking around the lake (about an hour), discover a variety of landscapes and ecological spots, from lush greenery to arid terrain, from woods to wastelands, from shadow to bright light. In the centre, there is a bird island for ducks and other waterfowl species to make their nests. Although a great place to take a walk, the complex is also a recreation area where you will find special areas set aside for picnicking, paddle boating, mini-golf, water inflatables, several beach volleyball courts and a forest adventure park.
DepartmentAude
Departure municipalityCarcassonne
Outing typeCar itinerary
DifficultyEasy
Duration5h00
Recommended periodfrom january to december
EnvironmentCountryside
Kilometres8 km

Location: 29 km away from the Villa

SAINT-LUCIE ISLAND

Depart from Port-la-Nouvelle and follow the Robine Canal. Access Sainte-Lucie Island via the lock of the same name. A short circuit and a long circuit will offer you the opportunity to enjoy the view, the fauna and the flora of this protected and privileged site.

Follow the seafront along the beach or the road to the roundabout on Place Saint-Charles (St Louis boat). Then make your way down Avenue de la Mer. Have a look at the fish sold by the fishermen direct from the boats. Pass the fuel harbour, then the cereal dock. You will soon be at the fishing port and the marina. Admire the special architecture of the fishing village along the way. A bridge will allow you to cross the port and access the Robine Canal. Follow it to the gate. On the way, be sure to stop and admire Port-la-Nouvelle salt marshes. If you are travelling by car, park at the car park provided, Continue on foot to Sainte-Lucie lock.

DepartmentAude
Departure municipalityPort-la-Nouvelle
Outing typeHike
DifficultyEasy
Duration4h00
Recommended periodfrom april to october
EnvironmentCountryside
Kilometres12 km

Location: 31 km away from the Villa

LUCATE, CLIFF BETWEEN SEA & LAGOON

If you like walking and nature, many footpaths and trails await you where you will discover a multitude of landscapes between the garrigue, the sea and the lagoons in the Regional Nature Park.

On your left, you will see the old mill, and, on the right, a path that will lead you to the Loin Fountain. Walk around it and you will arrive at the path. Turn left on to it and then turn right to Chemin Neuf.

Turn right on to the path and then take the second path on the left. You will arrive at La Franqui headland. On the right is Haute Franqui Fort (former signal tower). Take the stairs leading to the path along the foot of the cliff. Note, this is a dead-end. Follow the cliff towards the military semaphore. Be careful on windy days.

Very close to the semaphore, you will find La Plagette (suspended dune, unique in Europe). The access is difficult, so be careful. You will access Leucate-Plage via the rocks and coves. Otherwise, take the high road: after the lighthouse, veer right and turn left on to the stairs that will lead you to Leucate-Plage. Take the road that climbs up to the village.

DepartmentAude
Departure municipalityLeucate
Outing typeHike
DifficultyEasy
Duration2h30
Recommended periodfrom january to december
EnvironmentCoast
Kilometres9 km
Altitude upon departure30m
Change in altitude26m

SIGEAN

Hike by the lake via an orientation table and a 360° viewpoint, returning via the scrubland and large salt flats of Sigean.

Departing from the Anse de l'Olivier bay, follow the road to the orientation table above Port Mahon, walk along the lake to the huts, go inland as far as the large salt flats, then return to the Anse de l'Olivier via Bellevue.

DepartmentAude
Departure municipalitySigean
Outing typeHike
DifficultyEasy
Duration2h00
Recommended periodfrom january to december
EnvironmentCoast
Kilometres6 km
Change in altitude30m