Aude places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Aude department of Languedoc-Roussillon. See also our Aude travel guide
Alet-les-Bains
The abbey ruins are the most imposing monument in Alet-les-Bains but be sure to explore the town to discover the other highlights See guide
Bize-Minervois
Bize-Minervois is a small village but its pretty houses and popular swimming river in summer make it a good place for a detour See guide
Carcassonne
The medieval fortress-town of Carcassonne is very extensive and very interesting. Highly recommended! See guide
Castelnaudary
Slightly away from tourist routes, Castelnaudary has a pleasant canal port and is the town where cassoulet was invented See guide
Caunes-Minervois
If you are exploreing the Minervois wine region you will also want to take a break in the small village of Caunes-Minervois See guide
Chateau d'Aguilar
The Château d'Aguilar is one of the most famous Cathar castles in the south of France See guide
Chateau de Peyrepertuse
Visit the Peyrepertuse Castle, the most popular of the Cathar castles found in the south of France See guide
Chateau de Puilaurens
Castle Puilaurens is a Cathar castle of France in a beautiful mountain location See guide
Chateau de Queribus
Castle Quéribus is a famous castle on the summit of a mountain in the south of France used by the Cathars See guide
Chateau de Termes
Château De Termes is one of the most important Cathar castles in southern France See guide
Chateaux de Lastours
The four ruined castles in Lastours, in cathar country, were built in the 13th century See guide
Fontfroide Abbey
The Abbey at Fontfroide dates from the 12th century, and is one of the most interesting abbeys in the region See guide
Gorges de l'Aude
The Gorges de l'Aude are a scenic highlight to explore close to Carcassonne See guide
Gruissan
As well as the pleasure port and old village centre, Gruissan is also well known for its windsurfing See guide
La Palme
La Palme is a small traditional village in Languedoc-Roussillon with a beach, lagoon and vineyards to explore See guide
La Pomarede
Very tiny so don't travel for ages to get here but if you are passing the village of La Pomarede it is a lovely place for a stroll and a picnic See guide
Lagrasse
The romantic atmosphere in medieval Lagrasse have made it a popular centre for artisans and artists See guide
Leucate
The resort at Leucate is one of the liveliest and most interesting along the Languedoc coast See guide
Limoux
The small town of Limoux is best visited in late spring to enjoy the Carnival of Limoux, one of the oldest and best known carnivals in France See guide
Montolieu
Built on the edge of a deep ravine, Montolieu is well known as a centre for historic books and book production See guide
Narbonne
Among other highlights, the parts of Narbonne along the canal and around the cathedral are especially worth exploring See guide
Port-la-Nouvelle
One of the largest industrial ports in France, Port-la-Nouvelle also has a popular beach resort in the town See guide
Quillan
Be sure to take a stroll through Quillan as part of your trip to explore the Aude countryside See guide
Rennes-le-Chateau
A small village with lovely views, it is also the legends associating Rennes-le-Chateau with the Holy Grail that attracts many visitors here See guide
Rennes-les-Bains
Rennes-les-Bains is a traditional spa town in the Aude countryside See guide
Saint-Hilaire
Saint-Hilaire is a pleasant village that is dominated by the lovely Abbey of Saint-Hilaire, built in the 13th-14th century See guide
Saissac
In Saissac the highlights include the views from the top of the village and the castle at the bottom of the village See guide
Sigean Nature Reserve
Sigean is a very popular wildlife park where thousands of animals such as lions, zebras nd rhinoceroslive in semi-freedom See guideFor more information see the Aude guide
Market towns & days in Aude
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Bram: Wednesday
Carcassonne: Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday
Castelnaudary: Monday all day
Coursan: every day except Monday
Esperaza: Thursday & Sunday
Fleury: every day
Gruissan: every day except Thursday
Leucate: Saturday & Monday & Wednesday & Thursday (high season only)
Lezignan-Corbieres: Wednesday
Limoux: Friday all day
Narbonne: Sunday
Narbonne: Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday & Monday (high season only)
Port-la-Nouvelle: Saturday (high season only)
Port-la-Nouvelle: Wednesday
Quillan: Wednesday & Saturday
Sigean: Tuesday & Friday
Tourist attractions to visit in Aude
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Zoo or wildlife park
African reserve of Sigean: See tourist guide
Towns of Art and History
Narbonne: See tourist guide
Sites of Natural Beauty
Gorges de Galamus
Gouffre de Cabrespine
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Carcassonne: See tourist guide
Narbonne: See tourist guide
Religious Monuments
Abbaye de Fontfroide (Narbonne): See tourist guide
Regional Natural Parcs
Narbonnaise en Méditerranée
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Limoux: See tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Lagrasse: See tourist guide
UNESCO world heritage sites
Carcassonne: See tourist guide
Grand Sites of France
Carcassonne City: See tourist guide