Domaine de Castel Fizel

As Domaine de Castel Fizel sits at the foot of the Corbières Massif, it’s a doddle to get out onto mountain-biking trails direct from the pitches. Steep circular loops lead through pine forest and there are also family-friendly jaunts along the Boulzane river valley (20 minutes’ cycle). Likewise, walkers find much to please them in valleys planted with vines, along the way-marked Sentier Botanique de Vira (25 minutes’ drive), a great trail for spotting wild flowers, or through the dramatic Gorges de Galamus (20 minutes), which is also scene of high-octane canyoning, rafting, hydrospeeding and kayaking through white water. The Pyrénées-Orientales region is home to several Cathar castles dating from medieval times: Château de Peyrepertuse (45 minutes) sits on a limestone cliff and is open for self-guided tours, and you can walk around the defence walls at Château de Quéribus (half an hour). The clifftop remains of the castle at Puilaurens (20 minutes) are accessed by a steep footpath for views over snow-clad peaks. Alternatively, see these castles and more from the comfort of the Cathar Region Red Train, which runs from April to mid-November and stops at Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes (five minutes).