Quillan
Visit Quillan (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)
Quillan is situated in the South of the Aude department and south of Carcassonne. Set in the centre of a circle of mountains at an altitude of 300 metres, it is probably the scenery and Cathar history that will attract you to this part of the country.
Quillan itself is a pleasant town to explore, and also quite a good size which makes it an excellent base for exploring Cathar country.
Exploring Quillan
Quillan lies on the edge of the River Aude and has various squares in which you can sit and stop for a coffee or lunch.
The Place de la Republique is adjacent to the old bridge over the river. It is a pleasant spot to stop for a coffee and watch more adventurous souls head down the river in their canoes or kayaks.
On the other side of the river is the Chateau. This was built in a very simple square design in the 14th century. Much of it has been taken away as pieces of stone for building the local houses but the base part of the castle remains and looks over the Place de la Republique.
The strangest building in Quillan is the Tourist Information Office which used to be a bath house. It has quite a Moorish feel to it.
The church in Quillan is an attractive one with a tall square tower and a round section all built of stone from the river giving it almost a pebbled finish.
Perhaps the highlight of Quillan though is to cross the old bridge, an attractive stone arched bridge, and look at the long line of riverside dwellings. These are interesting tall narrow houses and you get a backdrop of the Pyrenees foothills behind and the fast-flowing river below. Very nice.
Attractions nearby
Quillan is a popular centre for anyone interested in water sports such as white-water rafting or kayaking. The town is also next to the very scenic Gorges de l'Aude.
Other highlights within easy reach are the cathar castles at Peyrepertuse and Queribus to the east, and the village of Camon to the north-west of Quillan (Camon is officially one of the most beautiful village in France).
Photos of Quillan
Click any picture to start the gallery
Address: Quillan, Limoux, Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon, 11500 || GPS: latitude 42.8742, longitude 2.18253
Map of Quillan & places nearby
Highlights close by
Gorges de l'Aude 0km
Rennes-les-Bains 12km
Alet-les-Bains 15km
See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Quillan.
See Languedoc-Roussillon and Aude (the region and department for Quillan) for more travel ideas...
Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Quillan, France
- Fontaine Intermittente de Fontestorbes - site of natural beauty (20km)
- Limoux - recommended detour (21km)
- Camon - most beautiful village (24km)
- Gorges de Galamus - site of natural beauty (25km)
- Mosset - most beautiful village (27km)
- Eus - most beautiful village (34km)
- Prades - recommended detour (35km)
- Villefranche-de-Conflent enceinte / fort (Vauban fortifications) - heritage site (35km)
- Villefranche-de-Conflent - most beautiful village (35km)
- Eglise de Sainte Marie de Marcevol (Arboussols) - religious monument (35km)
Market days in Quillan: Regular market(s) are held in Quillan each Wednesday & Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Quillan (Francais)
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Guest (M J Monahan)
PermalinkIt is well to mention 2 things:
The "old" bridge is built from stones taken from the old chateau and was built in the 18th century, has been modified slightly. (The public toilets, which emptied into the river, were removed from the bridge in the 20th century.)
The River Aude, until the 20th century, was much wider and deeper. Logs from the region were floated to Carcassonne, 50 miles away, down the river. Accordingly, the houses along the river were built high up and the river actually ran along the basement level of the houses. Beginning in the late 20th century, dams were built for irrigation, significantly lowering the level of the river, but leaving sufficient flow to permit canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.
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