The small village of La Pomarede is situated to the north of Castelnaudary and south of Revel, in the Aude department of Languedoc-Roussillon, on a site that has been occupied for at least 1000 years.
Exploring La Pomarede
France This Way review: in truth the tiny village of La Pomarede will only take you half an hour to explore - less if you walk fast! - but it is so picturesque that a visit is highly recommended.
The peacefulness of the village today gives little clue to what it must have been like here 800 years ago, when La Pomarede was under siege as part of the crusade against the cathars that dominates the history of this region.
Around La Pomarede you can still see the high fortified walls built in the 11th and 12th centuries and surrounded by a deep moat - now empty of water but planted with established trees - and crossed by a stone bridge where presumably a drawbridge once stood.
Within the walls there are several buildings of interest including the mairie and post office, a hostelry (which appeared popular when we visited and includes a Michelin starred restaurant) and several of the original towers.
Returning outside the walls, there are nice views across the Aude countryside from La Pomarede, and below the walls the rest of the village includes a small church and a cluster of about 20 ancient houses.
La Pomarede has plenty of places to enjoy a picnic, before continuing perhaps on the scenic backroads that lead on to Revel.
Attractions nearby
You will not have La Pomarede as your main destination, but if you are exploring the south-west part of the Regional Natural Parc of Haut-Languedoc and the Black Mountain (Montagne Noire) you can visit this village as well as the (larger) villages at Revel and Sorèze as part of the same tour: together they make an interesting day out, perhaps also incorporating the village and castle at Saissac to the east of here.
You can find more travel ideas in the Aude guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
Photos of La Pomarede
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Map of La Pomarede and places nearby
Visit near La Pomarede with France This Way reviews
Revel
The large arcaded square in the centre of Revel contains one of the biggest medieval market halls to be found in France
Revel guide
Castelnaudary
Slightly away from tourist routes, Castelnaudary has a pleasant canal port and is the town where cassoulet was invented
Castelnaudary guide
Soreze
The abbey-school and numerous ancient colombage houses are among the interesting finds in the village of Soreze
Soreze guide
Saissac
In Saissac the highlights include the views from the top of the village and the castle at the bottom of the village
Saissac guide
Montolieu
Built on the edge of a deep ravine, Montolieu is well known as a centre for historic books and book production
Montolieu guide
Castres
While not an important tourist destination, Castres has a pleasant town centre and an interesting Goya Museum to visit
Castres guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Aude
Address: Pomarède, Castelnaudary-Nord, Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, 11400, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.405556, longitude 1.950833
Plan your visit to La Pomarede, Aude
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Revel: recommended detour (7 km)
- Jardin et parc du château de Loubens: remarkable garden (23 km)
- Jardin de l'Évêché: remarkable garden (32 km)
- Parc aux Bambous: remarkable garden (33 km)
- Carcassonne: heritage site (39 km)
- Carcassonne City: grand site of france (40 km)
- Cité de Carcassonne: site of natural beauty (40 km)
- Gouffre de Cabrespine: site of natural beauty (41 km)
- Jardin des Martels: remarkable garden (42 km)
- Camon: most beautiful village (43 km)
- Limoux: recommended detour (44 km)
- Jardin Royal de Toulouse: remarkable garden (46 km)
The French version of this page is at La Pomarede (Francais)