Living in Aude, Southwest France | EUROtoday

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Citadel of Carcassonne Aude
Citadel of Carcassonne

Living in Aude: part of France that gives loads of sunshine, historic cities and exquisite houses which can be way more inexpensive Than the close by coast of azur.

In the South of France, inland from Toulouse and Marseille, the division Of Aude is withn Easy Reach of the Mountains and the Coast, Surrounded by Charming Villages and Historic Sites, Making It A Great Place to Visit To Put Down Roots.

Living in Aude – The Sunny South

Estate Agent Andrew Gluck Moved from New York to France in September 2011, and He Lives along with his French Wife in Carcassonne.

“I need say there’s now Like This AnyWhere Else within the World. We get Between 200 and 225 Days of Sunshine A Year, A Lush Landscape of Cypress Trees, Olive Groves and Vineyards, Plus a Mediterranean Climate at Far More Riviera.

Equally Smitten with the Area is Honor Davis-Marks who, in 2007, Moved from Kent to Ferrals-les-Corbieres (40km East of Carcassonne), the place she Runs Midlife Retreats.

“Initially, we Came here for Sunshine and that elusive lifestyle, but it gave us so much more than we have expected. We get amazing weather here as march, and you can literally ski in the morning and be the beach in the afternoon. Accessibility was crucial as i wanted to run ‘Me-Treat’ Business, and Aude Has Great Transport Links-Even Barcelona is only a 2-hour Ride from Narbonne. ”

Property and Lifestyle

Thanks to its rental, Climate and Landscapes, Aude Attracts Both French and Foreign Tourists All Year Round, So There are Planty of Events and Activities and No Shortage of Appealing Places To Stay. If you’re contemplating a transfer right here, Andrew Guck Recommends the Village of Montoulieu (22 minutes Northwest of Carcassonne), providing a vigorous middle with dozens of outlets, or Caunes Minervois (25 minutes Northeast of Carcassonne), a Medieval Town Famous for Marble, and it is surprisingly cosmopolitan: a High Percentage of Residents have chosen to Relocate right here from Overseas.

To get the Most from Your Buying Budget, Look Inland Away from the Coast and the Most Popular Towns, Perhaps Heading Toward the Black Mountains, the place the Weather’s a Little Cooler, and the Properties Are A Little Bit More Rustic.

Key Towns within the Aude

Carcassonne, restaurant Tables Laid Out on Cobbled Street
Carcassonne

The Medieval Town of Carcassonne (Pop. 48,000) is without doubt one of the nation’s Most Popular Tourist Destinations, Welcoming Around 2.5 million Visitors Each Year. Its star attraction is the Medieval Town Itself, which is completely photogenic and free to go to: discover its 3km of ramparts and admire its 52 separate towers as you browse the outlets throughout the wallls. Running proper by means of the Heart of the Lower Tower Which can be Fabulous, is the Famous Canal du Midi, Originally Built within the 1600s to attach the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. HIRE A PLEASURE BOAT TO Navigate the Canal Or Stroll or Cycle AlongSide, Enjoying the Scenery.

Forty Minutes West, Castelnaudary (pop. 10,000) Claims that that is Where Engineer, Pierre Paul Riquet, first cam up with a plan to create the canal. The Town additionally claims to be the capital of the dish cassoulethowever has perfecty extra to supply: a captivating port, clusters of terracotta rooftops and an avenue of bicentennial airplane.

View of Narbonne Canal With Small Boats
Narbonne © Gillian Thornton

If you favor the Coast, Narbonne (Pop. 51,000) is about an hour South, within the Heart of A Regional Nature Park Between Montpellier and Perpignan. One of the Wealthiest Roman Colonies Outside Ityy, Narbonne has a wealth of structure from this era, included the through Domitia Cobbletones Leading from the Main Square, While the Narbo through Museum Houses More than 6,000 Artefacts and Wall Paintings.

Thirty minutes West of Narbonne is Lézignan-Corbières (Pop. 11,000), Capital of Corbières Wine Country. The Town has developed over the centuries encompass its gothic-tetyle church, Saint-Félix, which dates from the 1200s, Although a church has been right here since 800 advert. Also within the middle is an outdated wine property, home gibert, the place you’ll be able to see the unique cellar in addition to the employees’ quarters and stables.

Less Well Known Places To Live in Aude

View of Lagrasse, Castle by a River, Aude
Lagrasse © Andrew Gluck

Inland, Lagrasse was formally acknowledged as one the Most Beautiful Villages in France, and you will Immodely See Why. Centerd across the Stunning Sainte-Marie Abbey, Lagrasse is house to cobbled streets, artisans and the picturesque river orbieu. It’s additionally potential to take a freshwater swim eith within the river or upstream in Saint-Jean Lake, the place you’ll be able to cool off the bushes.

View of Lastours, Soutwest France, Mountains in Autumn
Lastours © Andrew Gluck

Also inland, Lastours Sits 20 Minutes North of Carcassonne, and is a very shock rental that includes the stays of Four Château Turrets Built within the late 1200s to interchange historic feudal constructions, however archaeological finds date again to least 1500 bc. The Turrets Survey the Valley from a dizzying 300 meters altitude, and you’ll observe the rocky path as much as the turrets, however you may want a minimum of two hours and a few Sturdy footwear! (See Andrew’s Properties for Sale in Aude)

If you are a fan of Unspoilt Beaches, Head to Gruissan’s Plage De Mateille, A Spacious 1.2-Kilometre Beach Whose Northern part is usually utilized by naturists. Running Parallel to the Beach is the Etang De Mateille, a Shelted Lagoon of Shallow Waters that is preferrred for Kayking and Sailing.

Why is that this cathar nation?

You would possibly hear Aude Redenging to As ‘Cathar Country’, Réferring to a Religion that Took Hold in Southern France Around 800 Years Ago, Promoting Values ​​of Equality, Neighbourliness and Charity, in Contrast to the Pomp, Hierarchy and Material Wealth of the Catholic Church. Many of the Languedoc Commoners and Nobles Adopted Catharism, Distancing Themselves from Both Royalty and from Rome. Unsurprisingly, they have been then attacked, and the are’s fortified castles, villages and cities are a Stark Reminder of Those Crusades. Aude is Home to the Last Catt Cathar Stronghold, Château de Peyrepertse, which Fell in 1255.

Gastronomy of Aude

Vineyard in Autumn Near Carcassonne

You can Tell from All The Vineyards in Aude that Wine Production is Taken Seriously right here, with ten completely different aop high quality labels, its best-known being corbières. Thanks to the olive groves, you may additionally take pleasure in native tapenadehowever the rustic pan cassoulet is a regional favorite. For Fine Dining, You can select from Five Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Aude, certainly one of which has the uncommon distinction of Three Michelin Stars: The Auberge du Vieux Puits in Fontjuncouse. For a very particular celebration, this restaurant Would be arduous to beat!

Getting to Aude

Aude is extraordinarily accessible, with direct flights from throughout Europe into toulouse or carcassonne. Trains from Paris to Carcassonne Take Around 5 Hours.

Find Properties for Sale in Aude: FrenchesetateAgents.com/aude

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Living in Aude, southwest France