The Knights Templar, soldier knights, returning to France from the Holy Land, made Mas Deu their administrative and religious headquarters in Roussillon.
This Conflent cave is an amazing, animated dinosaur experience.
A day out in the High Vallespir is always a pleasure.
The Cathar religion flourished greatly in Southern France during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Thuir, lively little town in the Aspres, is probably most famous for the Caves Byrrh.
With quaint, cobbled streets, pretty squares, lively shops, restaurants, and bars, and art and music museums, there is certainly enough temptation to hang around the town, but there is plenty going on around and about too.
A high drive circuit from Céret, along winding, sometimes narrow roads, through unexploited countryside, remote hamlets and villages with great walking opportunities and superb views.
Chateau Fort Liberia is perched above the beautiful village of Villefranche de Conflent.
We were waiting on the platform for Le Train Jaune.
If you like visiting ruined châteaux, head north to the valley of the Orbiel. Just twenty minutes from Carcassonne is the village of Lastours. High on a ridge above the village, four separate châteaux stand in a line: Cabaret, Tour Régine, Surdespine and Quertinheux.