Les Cabanes d'ErbeFol

If you choose to abandon the car, there’s much to occupy you around Les Cabanes d’ErbeFol. Stroll into the village of Ansignan to see the ancient Roman gateway, or have a meander along the Agly River to the stone arches of the Pont-Aqueduc d’Ansignan (20 minutes’ walk), built in the third century to carry water to crop fields. Here you can cool off with a dip in the river. For more adventurous pursuits, cycle to the Gorges of Saint-Jaume (an hour by bike) and then walk the looped trail through the ravine, passing waterfalls and viewing points along the way. If you fancy testing your head for heights, try out the via ferrata rock-climbing courses (10 minutes’ drive) in Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet; there are trails suitable for all levels of ability. Slightly further afield, striking Cathar castles wend their way across the Pyréneés foothills; start your exploration of these medieval defence fortresses at Château de Quéribus (half an hour), where you can walk around the three rings of ramparts. Also close by is the landmark Château de Peyrepertuse (50 minutes), standing on a limestone bluff and accessible by a steep path.