In the surrounding countryside there are tennis courts (free access for the residents), swimming pools and a network of signposted paths. You can discover all the charms of the Cathar country with its vineyards and gastronomical delights as well as the exceptional tourist sites in Aude such as the Canal du Midi, Carcassonne and its medieval city, the Cathar castles, the Cistercian Abbeys, Montolieu Book Village, Brousses paper mill, a deer farm, etc. You can also taste our favourite local produce: wines, honey, "Cabardises", deer pâté, preserves in our wine cellar upon your arrival. The Cabardès region The name comes from the Lords of Cabaret who named the area after the "Châtellerie du Cabardès". The Mediterranean climate, the "garrigue", the castles (Lastours, Saissac, .), the forests and lakes (Saint-Ferréol, Lampy, Laprade, .) are waiting to be discovered on foot or by bicycle. Holm oaks, olive trees, fig trees and cypress trees take you to where the Cabardès joins the Montagne Noire. On your route you will come across the "capitelles" (small shepherd's shelters) built in dry stone, caves (The Cabrespine Grotto, .) and vineyards producing wines for A.O.C. Cabardès, Appellation d'Origine Vent d'Est, Vent d'Ouest. This region was a sanctuary for the Cathars who were searching for purity. They have left us many remains, in particular their fortresses. A.O.C. Cabardès Cabardès is the only label to blend a minimum of 40% of Atlantic grapes - Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc - a minimum of 40% of Mediterranean grapes - Syrah, Grenache - and a maximum of 20% of Cot and Fer Servadou grapes. This particularity makes an original, balanced, harmonious wine with a rich colour. Truffle country The truffle-producing oak trees of Moussoulens were left untouched at one time, but they are now again being harvested and producing high quality truffles. The "Association des Trufficulteurs Audois" and the Chamber of Agriculture of Aude control the quality of the truffles sold at the truffle market in the village. Local events: Last weekend in January (St Vincent): Ampélofolies in Cabardès: truffle and Cabardès wine fair held at Moussoulens. Mid-March: "Printemps du Cabardès" at the "Prieuré d'Aragon". mid-April: Cabardès Literature Prize Giving Ceremony. "Printemps du Livre" (book fair) and judging of the "Montolieu Book Village vintage" . Last weekend of July: Cabardès Festival, Les Juliettes du Cabardès : Latin music and dance A.O.C. Cabardès wine competition , shows and readings. End of September: "Cabardièses", International Piano Festival Last Saturday in October: Musical Grape Picking, a concert with choir in Aragon Church, followed by a wine tasting session of A.O.C. Cabardès wines at the Prieuré. First weekend in November: Chestnut, New Wine and Cathar Country Lamb Festival at Villardonnel. From Easter to September: programme of cultural events organised and presented by Jean-Claude PIROTTE and the Association "Lire en Cabardès".