Surroundings
Our beautiful domain is set in the rolling Lauragais countryside in the Aude department and the Languedoc-Roussillon region (which has been called Occitanie for a number of years).  At the end of the quiet country road to our domaine, the view stretches across golden-yellow fields of wheat and sunflowers on one side, and over the green wooded foothills of the Montagne Noire on the other. Nature is overwhelmingly beautiful and definitely worth exploring. Domaine Les Armengauds is also located in the beautiful Pays de Cathare, the land of the Cathars famous for its turbulent history and its ancient fortresses. The most famous is the Cité of Carcassonne. Besides the beautiful nature and culture, there are also many cosy villages near our domaine with markets and brocant shops, cool lakes for swimming and many opportunities to be active and sporty. Below we give you an impression of the possibilities. Of course, we will gladly give you more tips as soon as you are there!
Cool lakes and fine beaches
Just 5 kilometres from our domaine is the beautiful Lac Saint Ferréol. This beautiful lake was created in 1967 by Pierre Paul Riquet. The 67-hectare park spreads over 3 departments and 4 municipalities. You can swim, picnic, surf, sail, play tennis, ride horses and walk around the lake (about 4.5 km) or walk to the waterfall or geyser. It is also an ideal place to enjoy the beach, have a good meal at the many restaurants or an ice cream on a terrace. A day trip to the Mediterranean is also definitely a possibility. The beautiful sandy beaches here are fortunately not yet overrun by tourists. About 120 km away, about 1.5 hours' drive, is Narbonne plage and a little further away the more touristy Gruissan plage. Saint Pierre- la-Mer at 133 km has a naturist beach.
Nice towns, markets and brocantes
Nearby Labécède is a picturesque village that is definitely worth a visit. Just 6 km from our domaine is the lively town of Revel, known for its fun and large Saturday market. At 12 km you will find the lively town of Castelnaudary with its lively Monday market and all the shops and amenities you can think of. For those who like to drive a bit further for a special experience, the medieval town of Mirepoix with its hippy-like market on Mondays is highly recommended. In the Montagne noir near the village of Durfort, which has been famous for its copper and wrought iron since the 16th century, you will find not only nice copper shops but also the grotte du Calel and the plateau de Berniquaut. Especially in the early and late season, there are often flea markets and antique markets on weekends, We find the vide greniers in the small towns the most charming. For beautiful antiques or art, you can visit a flea market or one of the many brocante shops. In high season, there are also culinary evening markets that are worth a visit.
Culture, shopping and going out
The famous Canal du Midi, a man-made connecting canal between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, passes through Castelnaudary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this canal also provides water to the beautiful Lac St. Ferréol. Also UNESCO World Heritage-listed is the world-famous medieval city of Carcassonne La Cité. This beautifully restored castle fortress with 52 towers is 50 km and less than 50 minutes from our domaine and should definitely not be missed on your list. The town of Sorèze is also well worth a visit, especially because of the famous Abbaye école, the famous royal military academy where, from the 17th century until 1991, boys from all over the world attended. You will also find the museum of the devoted monk Dom Robbert with its many famous tapestries. For culture, nightlife and shopping, Toulouse, the pink city, is just under an hour's drive away. Stroll through the beautiful city centre, visit the Capitol that houses the town hall or one of the many other museums. Eat in one of the numerous restaurants or have lunch on a cosy terrace. Don't forget the cosy quaysides and banks of the Garonne where street musicians and artists can often be found. Just over an hour's drive from our domaine is the beautiful city of Albi with its famous Sainte-Cécile cathedral and the Toulouse Lautrec museum. Both Toulouse and Albi have an extraordinary architectural history.
Active and sporty in nature
The area around Armengauds offers hiking, cycling and much more. There are many VTT routes and hiking trails. Walking through the Montagne Noire, you will enjoy the peace and pure air. Along the way, there are many authentic villages where it seems as if time has stood still. For the real hiker, the GR7 (grande randonnée) which crosses the haute Languedoc is 3 kilometres away. Within an hour you are in the Pyrenees where the possibilities for hiking are endless. Along the Canal du Midi you can also hike, cycle (cycle path) and mountain bike. L' oppodium de Berniquaut is a brisk walk that starts in the village of Sorèze. As you climb, you will come across a Romanesque road that has left its mark. At the top, a magnificent 360-degree view of the Lauragais awaits. This hike is worthwhile but requires a bit of fitness. On the lakes in the area, the possibilities are endless: pedalos, supping, canoeing, catamaraning.
Golf with a view
There are many beautiful golf courses in the area. So you can enjoy nature while being active. The nearest, about half an hour from the campsite, is the 18-hole Golf des etang de Fiac. If you want to combine golf with a visit to Toulouse, you will find Toulouse Téoula with 18 holes and Toulouse Seilh with 36 holes. A slightly smaller golf course with 9 holes is Lou Verdai 9 holes about an hour's drive away.
Wine & gastronomy
Our domaine is close to several wine regions such as the Minervois, the Corbières and the Malepère. Wine tasting at a château is also definitely a possibility. For all your culinary needs, visit the Michelin-starred restaurant in Saint Félix le Poids Public or one of the many small restaurants nearby. Also, don't forget to taste the special local specialities at the many markets. Or strike up a bargain at a local market or in the many fine specialty shops in the area and dive into the kitchen yourself.
