Domaine de la Trille

Lake Montbel (25 minutes’ drive) is the place for a day of swimming, fishing or paddleboarding – all with spectacular views of the Pyrenees. There are also bouncy castles and a tree-climbing park for kids, plus 10 miles of trails to explore on foot, by bike or on horseback. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Carcassonne (45 minutes) is famed for the fortified walls and towers that enclose its medieval citadel. The Museum of the Inquisition explores the history of religious intolerance and details gruesome torture methods used on supposed heretics. Known as the Pink City on account of the delicate hue of its historic buildings, Toulouse (an hour) sits on the banks of the Garonne, where the Terrasse du Bazacle is an observation deck with views of the river and its bridges. Stroll through the monumental Place du Capitole, and check out the artworks at Georges Bemberg’s Foundation — Hotel of Assézat or the archaeological collections at Musée Saint-Raymond.