The Cathar Country in Camping-Car: advice, areas, routes

Want to discover a region full of history between heretics and knights? Go explore the Cathar Country by camping-car!

What better way to discover the heritage and natural riches of the Cathar Country than the motorhome? To you the freedom to create your own itineraries, to stop in enchanting places while enjoying your own accommodation! Economic and practical, camping-car is the ideal way to fully enjoy the wonders of this region.

The Cathar Country is a relatively recent term to designate a geographical entity covering mainly the department of Aude. It refers to the dissenting religious movements, which appeared in the Midi of France, during the 12th century. The “Bons Hommes”, as the heretics claimed, wanted a religion closer to the original principles, in opposition to the opulence of the churchmen of the time. Benefiting from the protection of the local seigneurs, they left many vestiges such as defensive castles, medieval cities and abbeys.

Wanderlix guides you between Mediterranean and Pyrenees to take full advantage of a trip to the Cathar Country by motorhome!

Ideas of itineraries in Cathar Country by motorhome

Located in the region Occitania the Cathar Country is nestled between the Mediterranean and Pyrénées Orientales . The coastline, as well as the Narbonnais and Minervois regions, offer a landscape of valleys, while the altitudes rise as we approach the Pyrenees in the south.

De Carcassonne , between 100 and 250 m of altitude, in the Pays de Sault and the Château de Montségur culminating at 1,210 m, embark for a journey in the footsteps of the “Bonshommes” and “Bonnes Femmes” that marked the history and left a strong mark in this small corner of France.

Three to six days on motorhome in Cathar Country

Do you have a week to visit the Cathar Country in motorhome? Several suggestions are available to you to discover historical monuments.

From Carcassonne, go to the discovery of Cathar castles with a 3-day loop:

• Start by Terms and Gorges de Caune-Pont ;
• Then discover Aguilaran ancient strong square that marked the border with Aragon;
• Then set the course west to admire the Castles of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse ;
• Your last medieval castle will be that ofArques, in the heart of the high valley of Aude, before going to return your motorhome to Carcassonne.

If you have a few extra days, go to explore the southwest, which will take you to the south Ariège :

• You descend first towards Limoux and its vineyardsbefore approaching your first cathar castle: Puilaurens ;
• You then head west and Puivert before reaching an emblematic place: the Château de Montségur, the ultimate refuge of those considered heretics. Its terrible siege will mark the end of catharism, the movement never recovering from the loss of this monument and the few 200 people burned alive;
• Stay in Ariège to visit Mirepoix and Lagarde Castle ;
• Then back to Aude to discover Castelnaudary, another high place of catharism, and gastronomy.

Two weeks in motorhome in Cathar Country

Do you have two weeks or more? You can combine the two circuits above or choose to expand your motorhome trip in Cathar Country. This loop can be performed both from Carcassonne and Carcassonne Narbonne . It includes the following steps:

• Narbonne ;
• Lagrasse and his abbey;
• Cucugnanmade famous by Alphonse Daudet and his famous parish priest, and the surrounding castles : Puilaurens, Puivert, Montségur, Foix, Avignonet-Lauragais, Lastours and the four fortresses;
• Carcassonne ;
• Minerve and return of the motorhome in Narbonne.

Driving in Cathar Country by motorhome : traffic rules to know

Driving a motorhome in Cathar Country meets the same rules as in the rest of the Hexagon. You only need a car license to take the wheel of a motorhome less than 3.5 T, the most common. Beyond that, the heavy weight permit is necessary.

However, the size and weight of the vehicle should be taken into account and its driving accordingly. Also, the following precautions are necessary:

• You'll need one. longer distance to slow down and stop your vehicle;
• Manoeuvres require more attention, mainly because of the side door, the distance between the wheel axis and the end of the vehicle. This one is more important in a motorhome and can interfere when you run a backwalk or take a slightly tight turn;
• Note the height of your camper before you start, it will be useful for places where it is limited like parking. It is usually between 2 and 3 metres;
• Treat the donkey back with care, to avoid touching the chassis or unbalance the fragile objects inside;
• Slow down or stop when wind speed becomes too high ;

Parking rules are the same as cars. Unless it has clearly indicated layouts, you are not allowed to spend the night on a parking lot.

If you take the motorway of the two seas (A61) or the Languedocienne (A9) during your stay on a camping-car in the Cathar Country, Learn about the category to which your vehicle belongs . It is probably category 2 or 3, which influences the cost of toll and the line you need to take to get to the barrier.

Péage en Pays Cathare : what price for your camper category?

Which says travelling, often says toll fees. Good news, however, are the departmental roads that serve most of the Cathar cities and villages! Indeed, during a stay in the Cathar Country, the journey is as admirable as the fortified cities and testimonies of a past time. Open your eye on the road, you could discover a hilltop or nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees.

However, several hundred kilometres separate the main cities of the Cathar Country, Narbonne, Perpignan and Carcassonne, and it is both easier and more comfortable to reach them by the highway. These are the highways. A61 and A9 which travel the region, as well as the rapid path that extends A66 south of Pamiers to reach Foix.

Here you can find a few prices to connect the main cities of the Cathar Country from Narbonne, Perpignan and Carcassonne. In fact, for category 2 vehicles, the most common for motorhomes, you will spend:

• Narbonne Sud – Perpignan (A9) : 6,70€ ;
• Narbonne Sud – Carcassonne la ville (A61) : 8,70€ ;
• Perpignan – Carcassonne the city (A61): 16,00€ ;
• Perpignan – Foix (A61): 18,90€ ;
• Narbonne Sud – Foix (A61 – A66): 13,70€ ;
• Carcassonne – Foix (A61 – A66): 19,15€.

Note: Carcassonne’s bypass and access to Narbonne have strong slopes that can make it difficult for your camper to manoeuvre.

How and where to rent a motorhome in France?

Would you like to visit the Cathar territories in motorhome, but you don't have a vehicle? Now it is very simple to rent these vehicles between individuals, especially in France. Many platforms allow this type of rental, online, as Yescapa For example.

How does it work?

• At first, you have to choose the motorhome in your city (For example Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Paris, Montpellier or Marseille).
• Be careful choose unlimited mileage, to check the number of beds available and if travel abroad is possible.
• Do your work online rental request and share your travel information (dates, rental options, mileage, etc.) to the owner.
• If your request is accepted and after payment, you will have access to the owner's contact information to organize a First meeting.
• Day J, present your driver's license and pour bail.
• One. status of premises is executed and a lease is signed between the two parties. You will have to sign it as soon as you return from South France, and once done, the tour is played!

Campsites in Cathar country : where to park ?

You have taken the route of the castles and cathar paths on board your camper, it is good to worry quickly about choosing the location where you will make your first step. The Cathar Country is well equipped in areas you will find the list on the site of the Tourist Development Agency of the Aude.

However, to keep the spirit of freedom given by the motorhome, you can also choose to install for the night on a free site, in the middle of nature. By definition, all places where it is not explicitly prohibited to camp, are suitable to park its camper. There is no question of leaving tables and chairs around a delimited parking space. It is advisable to choose places in nature, where you will not bother anyone.

Try to arrive early enough , near your excursion, or visit the next day. You can thus be the first to present yourself at the window or to start on a hiking path.

There are now collaborative applications that tell you the best free locations. This is especially the case of Park4Night, which lists all the “spots” where it is possible to settle for the night. This application will also indicate where the water supply and wastewater disposal stations are located. Everything is indicated on an interactive map, with GPS coordinates, you just have to follow the directions.

Attention: The number of places is limited – it is a good part of their interest – so it is better to arrive early on.

What is the best time to travel by motorhome in Cathar Country?

The climate of the Cathar Country is predominantly Mediterranean: warm in summer and mild in winter. The presence of reliefs, however, tempers these conditions, especially since winds are sometimes violent. The snow can be at the rendezvous in Pays de Sault, at the foot of the Pyrenees. Spring and early summer are good times to explore the Cathar Country by camping-car. Between March and June, you will enjoy pleasant temperatures and sunny days. It is not uncommon, however, to suffer averse, especially in April!

Summer is much dryer, and temperatures sometimes high, without being uncomfortable, except perhaps in the city. Fortunately, with your camping-car, you will be able to evade and go get the freshness along the cathar paths. Autumn is also a pleasant period, but it does not prevent you from experimenting with big storms.