Castelnaudary

Visit Castelnaudary, Languedoc-Roussillon

Castelnaudary is a town in the Aude department of Languedoc-Roussillon, between Toulouse and Carcassonne. a pleasant town to explore, The most interesting part of the town for visitors centres around a large port area on the canal du Midi called the Grand Bassin.

Historically Castelnaudary is said to have been the birthplace of the cathars, a religious movement popular in the south of France in the 12th century until it was brutally suppressed by the Albigensian crusade (see cathars for information). The town fell in the hands of the cathars in 1211, to be recaptured by the catholics in 1221.

More importantly the town is also said to be the birthplace of cassoulet, the delicious local dish made primarily from confit de canard and white beans. Be sure to try it in a restaurant when you are travelling near Castelnaudary, it is one of the highlights of traditional French cuisine.

Exploring Castelnaudary

The old town is centred around the Place de Verdun, historically the market place of Castelnaudary, and still a shady square surrounded by shops and cafes. The square and surrounding streets also contain some interesting and decorative 18th - 19th century grand townhouses (the tourist office has a useful guide to where the best examples can be seen).

The section of the town around the Grand Bassin - the old 'canal port' - is scenically the most impressive part of Castelnaudary, although the rest of this pleasant yet untouristy town also deserves to be explored. The port has been awarded the 'pavillon bleu' award (also called the 'blue flag' award, this is more commonly associated with beaches than inland harbours).

Much the most important monument here is the Collegiale Church of Saint-Michel, a substantial 13th century church originally built in the roman style of architecture popular at that time although numerous later modifications up to the 19th century have resulted in the modern structure being largely in the gothic style.

Another interesting religious monument is the Chapel Notre-Dame de la Pitié, which contains some exceptional wooden carvings depicting the life of Christ, while the building known as the Présidial was the 16th century centre of the courts in Castelnaudary (and now contains a small local museum).

The town is also an important port on the Canal du Midi. You will see lots of pleasure boats tied up here in the port, as the canal is very popular with those taking a barge holiday in France.

Places to visit near Castelnaudary

Boat trips around the bassin and along the canal du midi are a very popular excursion from the town, with excursions typically lasting one - two hours.

In the region around Castelnaudary there were once numerous windmills (the Aude department is one of the windiest in France) and the one at Cugarel, recently restored and standing on a hill overlooking the town, is worth visiting for the views it provides. (The Aude department is now an important centre for wind produced energy using the much larger modern aeolian windmills.)

Tourist classifications for Castelnaudary: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 1*;

Suggested places to visit near Castelnaudary, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Camon 33km; Carcassonne 35km; Pamiers 36km; Limoux 36km; Castres 39km; Foix 48km; Rennes-le-Chateau 50km; Montsegur 50km; Toulouse 52km; Gorges de l'Aude 53km; Quillan 53km; Rennes-les-Bains 53km; Carbonne 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Castelnaudary

Castelnaudary tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Parc aux Bambous - remarkable garden (25km) : Jardin et parc du château de Loubens - remarkable garden (31km) : Jardin de l'Évêché - remarkable garden (39km) : Gouffre de Cabrespine - site of natural beauty (41km) : Fontaine Intermittente de Fontestorbes - site of natural beauty (46km) : Jardin des Martels - remarkable garden (51km) : Jardin Royal de Toulouse - remarkable garden (51km) : Jardin japonais de Toulouse - remarkable garden (52km) :

French version: see Castelnaudary (Francais)