France
Aude

Carcassonne is the capital of the Aude department. One of the most notable cities in the world, it boasts one of France's greatest attractions, Europe's best-preserved medieval fortress, the Cité de Carcassonne. Narbonne is another of the important cities of Aude. It experienced its heyday under the Romans, who built the city in 200 BC. The city is mostly associated with the impressive 13th-century Archbishop's Palace. Other towns and areas worth visiting are: Limoux, Quillan, Lézignan, Corbières, Lagrasse, Sigean and Leucrate

Limoux is located in the Haute Vallée de l'Aude, 24 km south of Carcassonne. It is best known for producing the region's specialty, la Blanquette de Limoux, a sparkling wine that is almost indistinguishable from Champagne and highly classified. Quillan is a small, charming village 27 km further south, also in the Haute Vallée de l'Aude. Lézignan-Corbières is on the main road between Carcassonne and Narbonne. It is the capital of les Corbières. Lagrasse is a small fortified village in the heart of les Corbières. It is so captivating that it deserves more than a cursory visit. Sigean is 18 km south of Narbonne. The biggest attraction of the city is a large African nature reserve. Leucate is a charming mountain town 30km south of Narbonne. Known as Leucate-Plage, the town has spread to the coast and is a popular holiday resort.

Les Corbières is the area between Carcassonne and Narbonne to the north, Carcassonne and Quillan to the west, the northernmost of the Pyrenees to the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the east. Wonderful and varied landscapes, a wine appellation that has worked its way up between the great Qatari country of ruined castles perched on craggy cliffs. There is plenty to look at here. This area is heavily influenced by Cathar history and offers a variety of exciting Cathar castles, most notably: Quéribus and Peyrepertuse.

The climate in Aude varies greatly depending on which part of the department you are in. Montagne Noire in the north and Pays de Sault in the south have a "mountain climate" with very low temperatures in winter and not very high temperatures in summer. In the western part of the department, the climate is under the influence of Aquitaine in the west with very extensive rainfall, while the climate in the eastern part of the department has a temperate coastal climate with high temperatures in summer and relatively mild weather in winter. The Limouxin, Carcassonnais and Razès areas in the central part of the department are often exposed to strong winds. Aude is also the department in France where it blows the most.