Domaine de la Vitarelle

Start your explores close to home: there are several hiking and bike trails that run through the area around the park, taking in woodlands and waterfalls along the way. Several horse riding outfits are in the local area too, and the team on site can advise on winery visits and Canal du Midi boat tours if you’re after something a little more leisurely. On a warm day you may well fancy throwing yourself into the open waters of Lac de la Cavayère (half an hour’s drive) – there are swimming areas over here, with an inflatable obstacle course for the daredevils to tackle. Alongside are picnic areas, pedalo hire, a treetop adventure park and a miniature golf course, so there’s plenty to fill a full day out. Among all of this it’s worth finding time for a trip to the medieval citadel of Carcassonne (half an hour) to take in the castle, the ancient bridge and the 53 towers and gateways of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO have given their blessing to another site locally too: the Cabrespine Cave, one of the largest chasms in the world that’s open to the public.