Carcassonne

 Although Carcassonne is the préfecture town of the Aude, and in the charming and thriving centre there is a lovely square with restaurants, cafes and shops, it is the Cité that people must visit , a double walled and turreted medieval, fortified, castle next to the River Aude.

 Limoux

 South of Carcassonne, with a rail line from Carcassonne , Limoux stands on the River Aude.  It is well worth a visit and has a large Friday market in the very pretty Place de la République.  It is known for the excellent sparkling  Blanquette de Limoux and there are lots of places to stop and taste the wine!

  Narbonne

 Sitting on the Canal de la Robine this is a very attractive town with its tree lined avenues and lovely squares.  Visit the Gothic Cathedrale St Just et St Sauveur as well as the historic horreum, a Roman site consisting of 2 s mall ‘streets’ underground.

 Quillan

 Nestling in the Aude Valley , Quillan is the last large village before entering the Gorges Pierre Lys  the gateway to the ski resorts of Puyvalador, Les Angles and Font Romeu , the town of  Perpignan , or the spa town of Ax les Thermes.

Places to visit: Alet les Bains, Rennes les Chateau, all the Cathar castles such as Queribus, Puilaurens, Peyreperteuse, Lastours etc., Fontfroide

Markets : Limoux : Tuesday and Friday a.m., Quillan: Wednesday and Saturday a.m.  Esperaza: Thursday and Sunday a.m.