Roquebrun, this village is just over a half an hour's drive from the Chateau. The river Orb flows through the village and has created a very pleasant and safe place to swim. To get there, turn right on the main road in the direction of Olargues, shortly after passing the village of St Martin d'Arcon, turn left and cross the bridge du Tarassac you are then on the right road. In addition the village has its Mediterranean Garden just five minutes walk from the centre. There are bars and a good restaurant Le Petit Nice. On the way back stop off at the Le Lezard Bleu in Vieussan for a cool drink or snack.

Further afield and inland, a full day can be spent by visiting the fortified village of La Couvertoirade (a miniature Carcassone without the tourist gloss). To get there, the quietest and most pleasant drive is to go to Hérépian and Bédarieux, do not turn off in Bedarieux, but continue towards Le Bousquet d'Orb and Lunas, then you follow the signs for Les Rives and Le Caylar. After an hour after a climb along the top of the plateau you will arrive in Le Caylar. This is the village which has magnificent tree sculptured into the shape of a person. Le Couvertoirade is just 7 kms from there.

Le Viaduc de Millau is worth driving across as well as underneath by visiting the town of Rodez. To get there follow the above instructions for La Couvertoirade, but stay on the A75, it is, just under half an hour from Le Caylar to the viaduc.

Vélorail is the tandem or foursome bike that fits on to a standard railway track. You peddle hard or not and you will arrive at your destination imagining that you are an engine driver. This new experience is to be found on the disused railway line from Roquefort to Larzac. To get there follow the above instructions for La Couvertoirade, continue along the A 75, but turn off at the next service station service station next to the little airport and head for Le Hospitalet. Le Vélorail is to be found at the station of Ste Eulalie de Cernon. Just in case you wondered, when you get to the end of the line; there is a device to help you turn round your Orient Express on bike wheels. You will need to book as in the high season they are often booked at least three days in advance.

La Mer, the Sea. We have not as yet mentioned the sea, as to where to head for is a personal choice. The nearest resort Valras Plage is the other side of Béziers. Slight more sophisticated, with good beach facilities, snack bar and restaurant is Cap d'Agde. You can park immediately behind the beach, at this resort head for Les Plages Richelieu, close to the yachting centre.
One word of advice, at the weekend, the world and his wife are there, and unless you go early morning or mid evening, you will have problems getting to and from.
To get to Valras Plage, head for Béziers, and the A9 motorway entrance and then follow the signs. To get to Cap d'Agde, take the same route to Béziers past the motorway entrance towards Valras, but at the big roundabout turn on to the N112 it will take you all the way there.

If you would like to go underground, then the Grottes de Clamouse are well worth a visit. They are to be found close to St Guilhem le Desert. To get there, got to Hérépian, then right to Béziers, at the top of the hill at Faugères turn off to Pézenas. In Pézenas follow the N113 towards Meze, but shortly after crossing the river l'Herault about 3 kms for Pézenas turn left towards Gignac, in Gignac, follow the signs for St Guilhem, the Grottes are just before you arrive in St Guilhem. If you want to return by a different route, drive back via Clermont Ferrand and Bédarieux

Much closer to home we have our own two Gorges. The first in this village of Colombières sur Orb and the second the Gorges d'Heric. To get to the Gorges d'Heric , drive towards Olargues and you will find the entrance to the gorges at Mons La Trivalle.

If you would like advice as to where to walk just ask and we will provide you with some written guides and tell you where to go.

Tree Walking Arbracadabranche If you and or your children want to go walking in the trees, then just five minutes away from the Chateau you will find just the thing. Jean Louis Raynal offers just that at La Pomarede. Turn sharp right at the bottom of the lane, do not go on to the main road and follow the signs for La Pomarede. To book call 04 67 95 80 42

Da Vinci Code There is a direct link in the intrigue of the Dan Brown book to the mystery of the priest and his fortune in the hilltop village of Rennes le Château. The village of Rennes le Château is to be found in the département of L'Aude south of Carcassone. Take the D118 from Carcassone in the direction of Limoux (home of the bubbly) and Quillan. Continue to the village of Couiza some 17 kms. beyond Limoux. In Couiza turn left and almost immediately turn right uphill on to the D152, this climbs up to Rennes le Château.

Carcassone perhaps the star in the crown of this region is about an hour and three quarters drive. Take the cross country route either via Mazamet or via St Chinian and enjoy the Canal du Midi en route. Most times of the year there are a lot of tourists visiting the old city called le Cité. There is good parking. One of the best views of the fortified town is to be had on the road to Limoux from the layby at the top of the hill.
You could combine a visit with one to Rennes le Château

Steam and Tourist Railways. There are several to be visited. Nearest From Narbonne to Bize is the little diesel railcar which mender its way to the village of Bize en Minervois. Further south is the Diesel Railcar train from Rivesaltes near Perpignan along the valley towards AXAT. Then there is the Le Petit Train Jaune, the little yellow train which takes you up to the Pyrenees where you can walk into Spain. This train is regular SNCF service but with open top carriages in summer. Steam is to be found at St Jean du Gard north of Nimes. This is one of the best run lines in France.
For details of any or all of these lines, just talk to Chris who has a few tips to pass on.

If you extend your stay in the Pezenas area you can find additional advice on how to keep the family entertained from a website.