Bordered to the south by the Canal du Midi and to the north by the Montagne Noire mountain range, the medieval town of Minerve nestles amid breathtaking scenery: the gorges carved into the limestone of the Causses are covered with vegetation, combined with human architectural feats such as the magnificent viaduct bridge giving access to the village. One of its advantages is its geographical location. Minerve is positioned on a rock at the confluence of two rivers, the Brian and the Cesse, creating the impression of a peninsula. So the houses are perched on their rocky spur and when seen from above, appear to be suspended in space. It's no surprise that Minerve is listed among the most beautiful villages of France!

Strolling around the town, you may notice remnants of its eventful history. A tall, medieval tower made of stone, the Candela, is still standing. It once belonged to the castle. The village also welcomed the Cathars, who refused to renounce their faith and surrender to the enemy army. You can make out a few ruined ramparts as well as some masonry elements that bear witness to the siege against them.

Take a stroll along Minerve's ancient cobbled lanes. The houses with old stone façades seem to tell a thousand secrets. You can also visit its palaeontology and archaeology museum, become setting off to discover its natural heritage. In the summer, be sure to take a stroll near its two natural bridges, impressive tunnels carved into the rock that make for an unusual experience!

The wine-growing village of Rieux-Minervois, in Aude, is renowned for its 12th-century heptagonal church, where magnificent Romanesque sculptures can be seen. These are the work of the famous Master of Cabestany; the capital representing the Assumption of the Virgin is the masterpiece of the building.

Overlooking the archaeological excavation site of a Gallo-Roman potters' workshop, the Amphoralis Museum describes the history of pottery production in Sallèles-d'Aude, which lasted from the first century B.C. to the third century A.D.

In this museum, which is divided into four sections (production, firing, daily life and trade), you can learn about the business and daily life of these potters of Antiquity, who mass produced amphorae for transporting wine.

There is an outside walk, where you can see reconstructions of kilns and a dwelling, as well as a garden with more than 900 plants which existed in the Gallo-Roman period, to pleasantly round off your visit.

At the foot of the Black Mountain, between vineyards and garrigue, lies the picturesque medieval village of Caunes-Minervois. This village is famous for the quality of its crimson marble, which is used to embellish celebrated monuments like the Grand Trianon at Versailles, the Opéra Garnier in Paris and the Capitole in Toulouse, to name but a few.

Caunes-Minervois is also renowned for its former Benedictine abbey, founded in 780. Richly decorated with crimson Caunes marble, its abbey church has two bell towers, a superb 11th-century Romanesque apse and a beautiful 13th-century sculpted doorway. As well as this architectural gem, there's an 18th-century cloister, a crypt which holds the remains of the first Carolingian church and 17th-century convent buildings.

After you have seen the abbey, take a stroll in the little Caunes-Minervois streets, lined with medieval and Renaissance houses. You will have a chance to admire the façades of beautiful, ancient dwellings, such as the 14th-century mansion Hôtel Sicard, or the 15th and 16th-century Hôtel Alibert.

Located at the southern end of the Massif Central, straddling the departments of Tarn and Hérault, the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park invites you on a journey to the heart of its beautiful natural heritage. With preserved sites, great biodiversity, and exceptional wildlife and plant species, the park is a truly exceptional place. It is also steeped in history and tradition, for humankind has found refuge there for several millennia.

The park lies at the intersection of three climatic influences, which makes for a wide variety of landscapes. With forests, vineyards, garrigue scrubland, valleys and granite massifs, the park offers a diverse range of altitudes, colours and scents.

On the Tarn side, set off to discover the Sidobre massif, the lake plateau and the Montagne Noire with its verdant forests of oak, beech and fir trees. In Hérault, you will find vineyards, valleys like the Orb and Mare, mountain ranges like Caroux and Espinouse, gorges and pretty villages like Roquebrun. This generous natural environment is home to eagles, mouflons, otters, bats and many more animal species.

With such contrasting landscapes, it comes as no surprise that the park is ideal for nature activities. Wander the hiking paths, travel along the Passa Païs greenway by bike, on foot or on horseback, go rock climbing or swimming, enjoy water sports on the lakes and rivers, try and catch fish in the Agout... Or treat yourself to a spot of pampering during a spa break in Avène or Lamalou-les-Bains.

You can complete this enticing programme of activities by discovering local skills, in the field of gastronomy for instance. You will find chestnut and honey-based treats, mouth-watering meat and fish dishes, and cheese platters with flavours to tantalise your taste buds. Enjoy these quality specialities bearing the "Produit du Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc" label, which promotes local artisan producers. Another field of activity, the glass and textile industries are also well developed and are part of the area's character.

The 2,500 year-old City of Art and History of Narbonne has a rich heritage; it was the capital of the Narbonne region of Gaul, the place where the Visigoth kings resided and the site of the Archbishops' palace. In the heart of the historic centre, two buildings, listed as Historic Monuments, merit a visit: the cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur and the Archbishops' Palace.

Unfinished, the 13th and 14th-century Narbonne cathedral has retained an absolutely spectacular choir; with 41-metre-high arches it is the highest Gothic choir in the south of France! The axial chapel is distinguished by a splendid 14th- century altarpiece in polychromatic stone. The Treasure Room reveals a rich collection of gold and silver artefacts, tapestries and liturgical objects. Afterwards, don't forget to take a stroll in the peaceful Gothic cloister, before heading off to the Archbishopric's garden, where you can admire the flying buttresses and the south tower of the cathedral as well as the façade of the new palace, at your leisure. The site of the Town Hall and the Museums of Art and Architecture, the Archbishops' Palace has a number of different areas which are open to visitors: the old palace, Romanesque in origin, the Gilles Aycelin keep, the new Gothic style palace and the Saint-Martial and Madeleine towers. Dating from the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th centuries, the keep offers a panoramic view of Narbonne, the coast, the Corbières and the Pyrenees from its upper terrace!

Then there's nothing better than a coffee break at one of the café terraces in the lively Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, before resuming your walk towards the Canal de la Robine and its charming Promenade des Barques, where you can treat yourself to a ride in an electric boat.

Narbonne also has plenty to offer when it comes to museums, with its archaeological museum which houses a remarkable exhibition of Romanesque paintings, its Museum of Art and History, with substantial collections of fine and decorative art, its Museum of Masonry located in the ancient church of Our Lady of Lamourguier, and the house where Charles Trenet was born, which is now entirely dedicated to the famous "Singing Fool".

"Y'a d'la Joie" ("Joy is all around") sang Charles Trenet, and there is certainly joy at the end of August every year when the Trenet Festival takes place, celebrating French popular song with concerts, shows, bodegas and street art!

The vast Regional Natural Park of Narbonne in the Mediterranean covers 80,000 hectares in the east of the department of Aude. It has a truly diverse countryside, from lagoons and fine sandy beaches on the Mediterranean coast, to vineyards and garrigue in the Corbières, as well as the rocky escarpments of the Clape massif.

This wild and unspoilt natural environment, which displays a remarkable degree of biodiversity, is protected by the Narbonne Park and its Regional Nature Reserve. Composed of lagoons, dunes, beaches, old salt marshes, pine woods and garrigue, the Ile Sainte-Lucie Nature Reserve, in the commune of Port-la-Nouvelle, is one of the largest nature reserves on the French coastline. There are so many natural treasures to enjoy during a revitalising ramble along the paths and lanes which run through this peaceful land...It is also a safe haven for a good number of birds, either nesting or migratory, which appreciate the resting and nesting places offered by the lakes of the Narbonne area.

With its seaside resorts such as Narbonne-Plage, Gruissan-Plage and Leucate, the Narbonne Park in the Mediterranean is also an ideal place to relax and enjoy a wide range of water sports!

A barrier for the Cabardès region from the 11th century until the Revolution, and a spearhead of the Cathar resistance in the 13th century, the Lastours site is an exceptional ensemble, with its four medieval castles standing proudly at the summit of a rocky spur, overlooking the Orbiel valley.

Standing amid wild, unspoilt countryside, this remarkable ensemble can be admired from the viewpoint of Montfermier, a place unmissable for its splendid panoramic view of the remains of the Lastours castles: Cabaret, the Régine Tower, Surdespine and Quertinheux.

Then head for Rabier, the former textile factory, to see its archaeological exhibition "Lastours, 4,000 Years of History", before climbing up the path leading to the majestic ruins of the four castles!

Located in Nissan-lez-Enserune, on a hill overlooking a vast panorama, the Oppidum of Ensérune is a real open-air museum with reminders of its glorious past. As early as the 3rd century BC, the city experienced incredible expansion: it served as a trading platform occupied by Gaulish aristocrats. The latter controlled the site, which was located on the main routes linking the Italian and Spanish worlds via the Mediterranean. In order to keep pace with this expansion, all kinds of facilities and buildings were constructed, including streets and houses erected accordingly.

Along the signposted trail created to help visitors to discover this archaeological site, you can now admire a large number of silos dug into the rock that were once used to conserve water and store agricultural produce. Other objects and vestiges illustrate the opulence of Ensérune, as evidenced by archaeological excavations. Vases, weapons and warriors' attire are now on display in an impressive museum. All sorts of amphorae, bronze ornaments and coins can also be seen there, providing evidence of Ensérune's erstwhile affluence.

Make the most of the oppidum's advantageous position to admire the site's direct view over the drained wetland of Montady and its plots of farmland forming an incredible sun shape.

Nestling at the heart of the Corbières, the picturesque village of Lagrasse, classed amongst the most beautiful in France, makes a lovely picture, with its old humpback bridge over the Orbieu, its medieval houses, the remains of ancient ramparts and its abbey overlooked by an imposing bell tower. Before visiting the Abbey of St Mary of Orbieu, take a stroll in the medieval town, a place full of charm, where you can admire an old 14th-century covered market with stone pillars, art and craft shops, and a Gothic church listed as a Historic Monument.

Then on the opposite bank you can find the Benedictine Abbey of St Mary of Orbieu, founded in the 8th century, which was very prosperous in the past and had considerable intellectual influence. The courtyard of the old palace, the lower chapel, the cellar, the bakery, the sacristy, the north transept, the pre-Romanesque tower, the monks' dormitory, the Chapel of St Bartholomew, the Master of Cabestany's room and the guards' room are all fascinating sights to see during your visit to the medieval part of town, which belongs to the General Council of Aude.

The picturesque village of Roquebrun, which overlooks the Orb Valley, truly deserves its nickname, "the little Nice of Hérault". It's ideally located in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, 30 kilometres from Béziers. Its shale-rich soil, which has the particularity of retaining water and storing heat, makes it a unique place where exotic vegetation thrives.

Its exceptionally balmy microclimate enables mimosas, exotic plants, and orange, lemon and other citrus fruit trees to flourish, even in the middle of winter. The magnificent Mediterranean garden, with a remarkable collection of succulents and exotic plants, a Mediterranean orchard and a botanical trail dedicated to the local flora, is the unmissable highlight of this plant paradise.

But Roquebrun is also a charming village. It's a pleasure to wander its narrow streets, admiring its close-packed houses, sun-drenched roofs and vineyards, as well as the River Orb and the bridge across it dating from 1870. Water sports enthusiasts can go canoe-kayaking on the river. Keen photographers, meanwhile, can enjoy some beautiful viewpoints over the village from the Route de Laurenque or near the Church of St. Andrew!

The birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, founder of the Canal du Midi, Béziers combines its age-old architecture with the beauty of the Orb, Hérault's emblematic river. A majestic monument, cherished by architecture-lovers, towers over its waters: the Cathedral of St. Nazarius, built in the 13th century. This Gothic fortress dominating the city is uniquely original. You could be forgiven for thinking you were visiting a castle! And yet the machicolations above the rose window, and the arrowslits beside the towers and turrets are only a decoy: this display was a way for the Catholic faith to assert its dominance over the Cathar heresy. Other original features await visitors inside. The carved wooden doors set in recesses in the stone are also a kind of optical illusion. They are actually never opened because of the wind, which could sweep away anything in its path.

To admire a breathtaking view of the whole of Béziers, head to the Bishop's Palace Garden (Jardin de l'Évêché) downhill from the cathedral. There you can enjoy a unique view over the Orb Plain and the city's bridges, which seem to spring from the ground. Take a stroll in the city centre along its cobbled, narrow streets. You will probably come across other treasures hidden between the old buildings, like the statue of Pépézuc, a mythical Béziers figure said to have saved the city from invaders during the Hundred Years War. Another curiosity: Béziers' old Roman arena. Unlike its counterpart in Nîmes, it is inhabited by locals. Above the ruins stand colourful residential buildings, a wonderful blend of past and present. However, visits must be arranged in advance as you cannot go in and out freely.

To get away from the urban hustle and bustle, take a trip to Béziers' old cemetery, which has echoes of Père-Lachaise in Paris. You can walk among the sculptures, cypress trees and graves, some of which are seemingly vying to be the most eccentric: unusual typography, elegant statues and other wonders adorn the stone.

Lastly, a trip to Béziers would not be complete without a visit to the legendary Allées Paul-Riquet, a pleasant avenue lined with plane trees, shops and lively café terraces.

Nature lovers and hikers, come and discover the abundance of the Black Mountain (Montagne Noire)! Situated at the southern extremity of the Massif Central, at the edges of the Aude and Tarn departments, this mountain in wild, unspoilt terrain has contrasting types of countryside, as can be seen in the dark forests of pine trees, oaks and beeches towards the north, and the vineyards, garrigue and olive groves towards the south.

The highest point of the Black Mountain, at 1,211 metres, the Nore Peak has a superb panoramic view from its orientation table - you can see the Pyrenees, the Corbières, the Mediterranean Sea, the Toulouse plain and the Lacaune Mountains!

The Prise d'Alzeau, at Lacombe, is the source of the Black Mountain stream which brings water to the Saint-Ferréol basin.

There is nothing like a ramble or a bicycle ride for exploring the natural and built heritage of the Black Mountain, and discovering its typical villages like Roquefère and its castle!

An important conservation area for the natural environment and endangered animal species, the Sigean African Reserve, nestling on the edge of the Bages-Sigean lagoons, is home to nearly 900 mammals, 600 reptiles and 2,000 birds living in its 300 hectares in semi-captivity.

Open to the public throughout the year, the Sigean Reserve provides two ways to enjoy the space:

A trip of about an hour by car, passing through the African Bush, the Tibetan bear park, the lion park and the African savannah, where you can admire white rhinoceroses, zebra and Somalian donkeys, amongst others.

There's a walking circuit of about three hours, for adults and children to go in search of antelopes, ostriches and other animals of the African plain. In the course of your walk you can also find the chimpanzees' island, the vivarium and the Œil de Ca lake, dotted with pink flamingos and pink-backed pelicans...

With its 3 kilometres of ramparts and its 52 towers, the high town of Carcassonne, situated on the left bank of the River Aude, is the largest fortified city in Europe! Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the famous and impressive medieval Aude town, which was admirably restored in the 19th century by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, is one of the most visited locations in France.

Those who love heritage and old buildings can have a great time exploring the architectural treasures of Carcassonne... The majestic Gallo-Roman and medieval fortifications which encircle the town, the imposing Narbonnaise Gate flanked by two high, overhanging towers, the 12th century Counts' castle, built in the Trencavel dynasty and today housing a museum of masonry, the Saint-Nazaire Basilica with its Gothic statues and splendid 13th and 14th century stained-glass windows, as well as the Promenade des Lices, nestling between the two city walls, are all wonderful reminders of the past which can be appreciated while strolling about. The charming Marcou square, dotted with shaded café terraces, and the picturesque streets, lined with souvenir and craft shops, are also great places to explore during a walk around the city.

From June to August, the Carcassonne Festival offers a programme of classical music, opera, dance, circus skills, theatre, French and international variety concerts... Also not to be missed are the illuminations in the medieval town on 14 July, and the knights' tournaments within the city walls in July and August.

Between sea and lagoons, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Narbonne in the Mediterranean, stands the old, circular village of Gruissan, overlooked by the Barberousse medieval tower. As well as its village with typical little streets, the commune of Gruissan has two marinas, and a pretty Blue Flag listed bathing resort two kilometres away. Endowed with beautiful fine sandy beaches, great for relaxing and water sports, the resort of Gruissan-Plage is also remarkable for its picturesque neighbourhood made up of 1,300 chalets on stilts...

Besides its numerous summer entertainments, in May every year there is a big festival in Gruissan, Les Festejades, lasting three days, where the public can enjoy concerts, brass bands and batucada groups in a party atmosphere.

About fifteen kilometres to the east of Narbonne, City of Art and History, at the foot of the Clape mountain, in the Regional Natural Park of Narbonne in the Mediterranean, lies the seaside resort of Narbonne-Plage. Carrying the European Blue Flag label, the resort is appreciated for its long beach – no fewer than five kilometres of fine sand – which is great for relaxing, bathing, and for sports activities such as sailing, beach volleyball, jet-skiing, sand yachting, catamaran or sea kayak. There is also lots of entertainment in the summer at Narbonne-Plage, such as evening markets, open-air shows and traditional festivals...

For nature-lovers, the resort is a good starting point for rambles on the wild, unspoilt Clape massif.

At about fifteen kilometres from Narbonne, in the heart of a quiet vale in the Corbières, in a setting of cypress and pine trees, nestles the former Sainte-Marie de Fontfroide Abbey, a charming, picturesque ensemble founded at the end of the 11th century by Benedictine monks and affiliated with the Cistercian Order in 1145.

Admirably restored, this Cistercian monument is open to the public throughout the year, and can be seen in a guided tour of about an hour or during a themed tour... A great chance to appreciate some wonderfully serene places, such as the 12th-century abbey church, with modern stained glass windows, the cloister with Romanesque columns, the majestic, marble-columned chapter house, the buildings for monks and lay people, not forgetting the terraced gardens and the superb rose garden with no fewer than 2,500 rose bushes!

You can taste the AOP Corbières wines from the estate, and numerous cultural events take place here, from classical music concerts to exhibitions, as well as the Plant Festival in May.

Perched on a rocky spur, at the heart of the Cabardès wine-growing area, Montolieu amply deserves its nickname of Village of Books, with its twenty or so bookshops, its booksellers' gallery, book craftspeople and unmissable Michel Braibant Museum. This latter is entirely concerned with book-related arts and crafts, and examines the history of the book from the birth of writing up to the great achievement of typography and printing. There are practical, educational workshops covering typography, calligraphy, illumination, etching, bookbinding, and illustration run by book craftspeople from Montolieu.

Bibliophiles should on no account miss the old and collectible book fair which takes place every year at Montolieu over the Easter weekend!

In the foothills of the Black Mountain, below the picturesque village of Saissac and directly above a ravine, stand the remains of an ancient Cathar castle.

Built in the 10th century, and reconstructed between the late 13th and early 14th centuries, then remodelled in the 16th century, Saissac Castle still retains a sturdy, polygonal keep, quadrangular towers and curtain walls, as well as a Renaissance building. In the latter, two restored rooms house a museum display about the monetary treasure of Saissac: 2,000 deniers from the 13th century!

A certified Tourist Resort (Station de Tourisme), Lamalou-les-Bains enjoys an ideal location at the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park. Between vineyards and the Cévennes, its idyllic natural environment at an altitude of 200 metres will delight lovers of green, rolling landscapes.

Its renowned thermal waters have neurological and rheumatological benefits, as recognised by Doctor Charcot. Lamalou is one of the few spa resorts to have developed genuine expertise in chronic illnesses and neurological ailments. Its thermal baths with certified pools, functional treatment areas and dedicated neurology treatments all contribute to effective multidisciplinary care. The resort also has a thermal spa offering balneotherapy treatments, where you can relax and unwind.

The surrounding area is also full of gems to discover! The Romanesque Priory of St. Peter of Rhèdes, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries and featuring Roman columns and a superb bas-relief of St. Peter, has become a centre of activities at the spa resort. Near the forest, 2 kilometres from the resort, Lamalou-les-Bains golf course is an inviting place to enjoy a few rounds, while the forest of soldier-writers, 7 kilometres away, offers numerous walks on its pleasant paths amidst various plant species. For craft enthusiasts, the Bell Museum in Hérépian, 4 kilometres away, teaches visitors about the manufacturing techniques used by the old bell foundry.

Lamalou also has a rich natural environment with the Passa Païs greenway running through the resort and extending into the mid-mountain landscapes, vineyards, forests and bucolic meadows. You may also come across a few tunnels and Eiffel bridges. Don't miss the Colombières gorges or Héric gorges either, or the villages of Villemagne-l'Argentière and Bédarieux.

At the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, and more precisely in the Tarn, the Sidobre massif is the largest granite plateau in Europe. A territory of unusual landscapes, it offers a series of gigantic granite blocks in unique shapes that defy the laws of gravity. The Peyro Clabado, or nailed stone, is a perfect example: weighing nearly 800 tonnes, how does this enormous rock manage to balance on a base much smaller than itself? Other incredible sites to discover include the Resse blockfield, resembling a river of rocks, the romantic Lake Merle, the Roc de l'Oie (whose name means "Goose Rock") or Les Trois Fromages ("the Three Cheeses"). On foot or by bike, you can try and fathom the mysteries surrounding these extraordinary formations!

Sidobre also has authentic towns and villages with fascinating histories, sometimes cloaked in legend. Discover the story of the violet-eyed princess in Burlats, or stroll around Roquecourbe admiring the half-timbered houses. In Brassac, the old bridge over the Agout is the talking point: it used to separate Catholics from Protestants.

This vast wooded plateau is also a centre for the granite industry. Once it has been extracted and treated, the granite is used for funeral monuments, interior decoration and urban development.