Useful Links

The region's tourist authority has its own site (in French and English). The Conseil Général (local administration) also has a site, but you'll need a fast connection to get the full benefit!

You can also visit the Sun France site for information on tourism and accommodation throughout Languedoc-Roussillon.

The mediaeval city of Carcassonne: unmissable! This site will tell you what you need to know.

An attractive site maintained by a Canadian who loves the Aude ... OdeToAude.com.

You can find everything you ever wanted to know about the Cathars, and then some, at www.cathares.org (in French).

An interesting and very atypical site about life in Languedoc is Midi-Life.com. As well as the usual tourist information, you'll find up-to-date news and comment of a political and economic bent. Worth bookmarking!

This site about the neighbouring region of the Quercorb is in French, but I couldn't resist including it here. My "coup de coeur" : the inimitable voice of Gérard Depardieu reading a poem about Puivert written by one of the site's creators.

Should you stray over the western departmental border into the Ariège, you could check out www.ariege.com.

And for Provence, try the excellent Beyond the French Riviera.

Another local site is The Southern France Guide -- an eclectic mix of property for sale or rent, canal boats, wine, restaurant reviews and more.

Accommodation

Travel agencies and tours

Discover the Corbières and its Cathar castles on horseback at Cheval Cathareor the Ferme Equestre de Gautare (both sites in French).

Travelling from the US? Virtually There is a vacation booking service which specialises in independent travellers to Europe, especially France. They have a good collection of links on their site too.

Food and wine

It used to be difficult to find sources for good quality Corbières wines outside the area, but it's getting easier all the time. Here are our favourite sources:

If you didn't manage to lug enough wine home with you, Château Online offers a selection of wines, including some Corbières.

There's also now a UK-based e-commerce site that specialises in wines from the Languedoc: Terroir Languedoc. Great if you are looking for a specific wine that you enjoyed while you were here.

Having recently visited a Majestic Wine store in the UK, I feel I must mention them, as they had an excellent selection of southern French wines, including a few very good Corbières and vins de pays d'Oc. Minimum order is a case of 12 bottles, but you can mix them.

For a taste of France (but not necessarily the Corbières) at home, try France Gourmet Fromages.

And for a truly regional speciality, try the renowned Cassoulet de Castelnaudary (in French; English version planned).

Miscellaneous

A site with a difference: find out about the snakes, lizards and other reptiles of the Corbières.

Want to brush up your French before you go? Take a look at Bien-Dire.

If you are visiting Paris, Adrian Leeds' Insider Paris Guides could be essential reading. A discerning diner, Adrian has produced downloadable guidebooks to a host of Parisian bonnes adresses. And if you'd like to spend a little time in Paris, be sure to check out Glenn Cooper's delightful, centrally located apartments for the true Parisian experience -- much better than staying in a hotel!

If you enjoy independent travel, you could check out the quarterly illustrated print newsletter France on Your Own, which publishes regional features, travel tips and more. It aims to "assist the independent traveler to France to plan and design his or her own unique vacation."

Any comments about or suggestions for the site? Please email Webmaster@archetype-it.com