Nicknamed "Little Carcassonne", the fortified village of Camon nestles around an ancient Benedictine abbey and is one of "France's Most Beautiful Villages". Among the gems to explore are the Clock Gate (Porte de l'Horloge), Tall House (Maison Haute) ramparts, abbey-château and 16th-century church and treasure house.

Also known as "the village of 100 rosebushes", Camon is in bloom with a multitude of roses every May. This magnificent sight is honoured with an annual rose festival on the third Sunday in May.

A themed trail in the surrounding hills takes walkers on a tour of numerous dry-stone huts – a wonderful illustration of Camon's rural heritage and wine-growing past.

Montbel lake covers 570 hectares and is fed by the clear water of the Hers. It is a favourite spot for migratory birds and a good place to watch other wildlife. With its forest surroundings and equipped beaches, this is a lovely place to unwind, while it also offers water-based recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing and kayaking, pedalo, boating and, of course, swimming!

The bastide town of Mirepoix was rebuilt in the 13th century following a flood. From its medieval past it has preserved a 14th-century fortified gate and a stunning market square surrounded by beautiful half-timbered houses whose first floors jut out over the square creating an arcaded walkway below. The café terraces, shops and traditional market on Monday mornings make it a lovely spot to visit. Make sure you stop and admire the old facade of the Maison des Consuls for its typical medieval wood carvings.

Next to the square stands the southern French Gothic-style Saint-Maurice cathedral with a vast 48-metre long and 22-metre wide nave.

The town organises a host of events: Les Fêtes Historiques with shows and a costumed procession on the third weekend of July; a puppet festival at the start of August; and one dedicated to apples on the third weekend in October!

The square gate tower, the curtain walls, the courtyard of honour and the 35-metre-high keep, which has four splendid rooms (such as the Musicians' Room with cul-de-lampe sculptures of people playing different instruments), are all examples of the medieval architecture you can admire on your trip to Puivert Castle, which dates from the 13th and 14th centuries. Positioned at the top of a gently sloping hill, this ancient Cathar site, which was attacked during the crusades of 1210, towers majestically above the village of Puivert and its lake...

Dominating the small village of Vals is Sainte-Marie rock church, a mysterious and unusual group of buildings carved out of the rock. Accessible via a staircase built through a cleft in the rock, the building consists of two naves on top of each other and houses some splendid Romanesque frescoes depicting episodes from the life of Christ. The church also has a terrace with a fantastic view over the surrounding countryside and the Ariège Pyrenees. Not to be missed!

Dedicated to the history of life on Earth, the Espéraza Dinosaur Museum, located in the upper Aude valley where the most substantial French dinosaur remains were found, has an area of 3,500 square metres where you can learn about palaeontology and step into the incredible world of dinosaurs. An impressive collection of dinosaurs of various species, made of skeletons and life-size reconstructions, is exhibited here. The Evolution Gallery, which describes 4.5 billion years of life on Earth, holds hundreds of fossils of reptiles, mammals, invertebrates and vegetation, many millions of years old!

Roquefixade castle is perched on top of a high cliff opposite the stronghold of Montségur. A place of refuge and resistance for the Cathars in the 13th century, it was destroyed in the 17th century on the orders of King Louis XIII. Accessible throughout the year via a footpath leading from the village, the citadel ruins offer a panoramic view over the Pays d'Olmes, the Pyrenees, Le Lauragais and Les Corbières.

Montségur castle, the symbol of Cathar resistance rebuilt at the start of the 13th century, was once a refuge for Cathars hunted down by the Inquisition. The stronghold was besieged for 10 months before being taken by the royal army in March 1244, the month of the Prat dels Cremats ("field of the burned") tragedy when 225 Cathars who had refused to renounce their faith perished on a funeral pyre. A history and archaeology museum in the village of Montségur traces the history of the site and of Catharism through a rich collection of objects found during excavations at the castle.

Montségur fortress is perched on top of a rocky spur at an altitude of 1,207 metres and can be reached on foot in 30 minutes. In addition to its medieval remains, it offers visitors a magnificent panoramic view over the village below and the surrounding scenery.

Over time, the River Aude, hurtling down the slopes of the Pyrenees from its source in the Carlit massif in Pyrénées-Orientales, has carved deep gorges in the rock. This is particularly the case in Pyrenean Piedmont, close to the village of Axat, in the department of Aude, where you can admire the Pierre-Lys pass, to the north of Axat, and the Saint-Georges gorges, to the south of Axat. These two natural sites are remarkably good for whitewater sports like rafting, kayak, canorafting and hydrospeed!

Perched on a rocky outcrop, the medieval castle of Foix dominates the roofs of the old town and the confluence of the Ariège and Arget. It has preserved three machicolated towers and high walls from its past as an impregnable stronghold. This imposing former fortress of the Counts of Foix now houses the Ariège departmental museum, which traces the history of the county of Foix and the castle through themed exhibitions and collections of medieval everyday objects, weapons and armour. This hilltop site also offers a stunning panorama of the town, Ariège valley and the surrounding mountains from the top of the round tower.

Below, Foix old town is a particularly lovely place for a stroll, with its narrow shopping lanes and pretty squares peppered with café terraces. Also not to be missed along the way are Saint-Volusien abbey church and its beautiful 17th-century carved stalls, and the Baltard-style Halle aux Grains, a covered market place.

In August, a sound and light pageant is put on at the Théâtre de Verdure in Foix.

The town organises its annual celebrations on the first weekend of September with a funfair, dancing, torchlight procession and concerts. Great entertainment guaranteed!

Labouiche river near the village of Vernajoul is noteworthy for being the longest navigable underground river in Europe that's open to the public. Guides take groups of visitors in boats some 1.5 kilometres upstream, 60 metres below ground, to admire the magnificent rock formations and pretty waterfall. A great outing for adults and children alike!

Les Forges de Pyrène museum in Montgaillard near Foix is home to the last working tilt hammer in existence (a listed historic monument). It comprises two museums – one dedicated to iron, the other to traditional trades – all in a 5 hectare site.

The museum of traditional trades (Musée des Métiers d'Autrefois) traces the history, techniques and secrets of 125 traditional trades through a remarkable collection of 6,500 tools. Not to be missed!

Meanwhile, the iron museum (Musée du Fer) looks back at Ariège's mining and steel past, exploring the history of iron and forges through documents, models, objects and tools, and showing the different stages from iron extraction to use.

Lively workshops demonstrating clog makers', blacksmiths' and bakers' techniques are put on in the barns.

From its height of 697 metres, the Cathar castle of Puilaurens, on a rocky spur at the edge of Fenouillèdes, proudly overlooks the verdant Boulzane valley.

An amazing example of the military architecture of the Middle Ages, Puilaurens Castle, once one of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne", played an important role in the defence of the old border between France and Aragon.

Before you can admire the crenellated walls, the barbican, the circular path, the remains of the square keep or the Dame Blanche Tower more closely, you must follow a pleasant botanical path which climbs to the foot of the fortress!

The Prehistory Park (Parc de la Préhistoire), located in a magnificent mountain setting in Tarascon-sur-Ariège, takes visitors big and small on a wonderful journey back to prehistoric times. Dedicated to the life and art of the Magdalenian people, this fun and educational 13-hectare site features a museum of prehistoric art and a reconstruction of the Niaux caves and paintings produced by man 12,000 years ago. Various workshops and demonstrations on the themes of cave art, archaeological excavation, tool cutting, fire lighting and spear throwing using an atatl (spear thrower) are also organised.

The spectacular Grotte de Lombrives in Ussat-les-Bains is the biggest cave in Europe. There are several tour circuits lasting from 1 to 7 hours to explore the magical natural decor, magnificent concretions like the Mammoth, the Witch and the Tomb of Pyrene, and discover the history, geology, mystery and legends of this unique site. A programme of shows and concerts is also organised.

Niaux caves (Les Grottes de Niaux), famous for their Magdalenian era rock paintings, lie in the Vicdessos valley, 7 kilometres from Tarascon-sur-Ariège. A guided tour takes visitors through 800 metres of underground cave system, passing through the Salon Noir, a natural rotunda whose walls are decorated with around 100 animal illustrations. These black line paintings are over 12,000 years old and depict large prehistoric mammals such as bison, horse, deer and ibex. They form an exceptional and incredibly well-preserved collection.

You are strongly advised to book entrance tickets in advance as the visitor numbers are limited for conservation reasons.

Nestling in the heart of the Pyrenees in the Ariège upper valley at an altitude of 720 metres is the spa resort of Ax-les-Thermes that boasts three water-cure establishments specialising in the treatment of rheumatisms and respiratory problems.

Ax-le-Thermes also has a recreational spa, Les Bains du Couloubret, where relaxation and well-being are on the agenda in a setting reminiscent of Ancient Rome.

A trail through the old town with 14 interpretation panels is a good way to explore Ax-les-Thermes's history and architecture. The tour takes in the Bassin des Ladres, a natural pool of hot sulphurous water, the Thermes (thermal baths), the belle-époque Casino, pretty streets and fountains.

Not to be missed nearby is the scenic Orlu valley with its little villages, Maison des Loups wolf park, and national wildlife reserve (Réserve Nationale de Faune Sauvage), a lovely place to go walking.

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.

At the foot of the Noire Mountain and near the fortified town of Revel, the Saint-Ferréol lake is located in an unspoiled forested area. What a special site! 67 hectares in size, the Saint-Ferréol lake was conceived by Pierre-Paul Riquet, the architect of the Canal du Midi, with the aim of being the main water reservoir of the Canal du Midi. Today, this lake is very popular with sporty types and people who just want to chill out. Its beautiful shores are dotted with trees and a great place to relax. The waters of the lake are perfect for sports and leisure activities, such as windsurfing, swimming, pedalos and canoeing.

At the heart of the Fenouillèdes massif, on the border of the departments of Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales, between Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, the Galamus gorges extend over 2 m, a spectacular natural site with vertiginous limestone cliff faces! Carved out over time by the tumultuous waters of the Agly, this protected area can be admired from the narrow road which traverses the wild countryside, in all its beauty... As photogenic a place as you could hope to find, which you can admire from a specially created belvedere, the Hermitage of St Anthony of Galamus clings to a cliff overlooking the Agly and will delight amateur photographers!

Between April and September, the Galamus gorges, with their little waterfalls and pools, are particularly good for canyoning. This is a fun and pleasant way to explore this marvellous natural heritage.

In the summer, when the gorge road becomes busy, a system of alternating traffic is in place, to make it easier and safer to cross the gorges. There are also electric shuttle buses (Diablines) which go from Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet.

The ski resort of Ax 3 Domaines in the Ariège Pyrenees mountains is linked to the spa town of Ax-les-Thermes via cable car and offers snow sports fans three separate ski areas – Bonascre, Le Saquet and Les Campels – with a combined total of 80 kilometres of runs. A wide range of outdoor activities are available: downhill skiing, speed riding and snowshoeing in winter; and mountain biking, hiking, tennis, swimming and horse riding in summer.

Trimouns open-air quarry situated near Bestiac, Lordat and Vernaux at an altitude of 1,800 metres is one of the largest talc quarries in the world. Towering over the Ariège valley opposite the Pyrenees, this striking quarry forms a vast cirque with a curious, lunar-like landscape. The site is open to the public by guided tour only from Monday to Friday (except national holidays) from mid-May to mid-October.