A nature getaway in the Corbières

Fabrezan 1 day

localisation-fabrezan
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Tried and tested for you by

Marie

Corbières Minervois Tourist Office

Try a new experience, exploring by electric bike and discovering scenery to take your breath away. Swim, enjoy nature, visit a listed village, a gem of Cathar Country…
Amid vines and garrigue, the region of Corbières invites you to meet the winegrowers, taste our wines and take some home to your cellar!

  • Nature
  • Slowtourism
4,5/5

Highlights

  1. Take to the saddle!
  2. Tastings and authentic encounters
  3. Lagrasse a Medieval gem
  4. Fun in the water

01 Highlight

Take to the saddle!

Exploring the Corbières mountains

Under the early morning sun we’re off for a mountain Ebike excursion in the Corbières mountains. We head for Fabrezan to meet Hugo, our MTB guide.
Armed with helmet, memorised instructions and plenty of enthusiasm, we’re ready to explore the Corbières paths.
Rando vélo dans les Corbières ©Gilles Deschamps

The itinerary is perfect for this, with hills, garrigue and grapevines… The gentle climb takes little effort (thanks to the Ebike) and the scenery is superb! The vineyard spreads out below Mount Alaric…

The descents get the adrenalin flowing, our faces are cooled by the fresh air, our bodies warmed by the sun, and scents of garrigue, lavender and thyme surround us… Pure pleasure!

So what’s an Ebike?
The electrically-assisted bike has an engine, a battery and a bicycle drive equipped with a sensor. The idea is to get maximum enjoyment of the scenery with minimum effort.
Rando vélo dans les Corbières ©Gilles Deschamps

02 Highlight

Tastings and authentic encounters

Sylvie et Laurent du Domaine des Cascades

Time to stop for a taste

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Ecole de kitesurf Glisse et Kite

DOMAINE LES CASCADES

RIBAUTE

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A well-deserved break at Domaine des Cascades in Ribaute. Young winegrowers Sylvie and Laurent welcome us with a smile to their organic wine and beer tasting cellar. They are delighted to share their passion for working the land. Wines, organic vegetables, and craft beer brewed on the estate in a copper cauldron… These are amazing winegrowers!

The Domaine des Cascades, a producer of excellence, boasts the following quality labels:

Alternative info

At Domaine des Cascades, the weeds are in for a challenge:
Petrus the sheep and the donkeys Margaux and Pinot are awesome natural mowers!

Rando à vélo à travers les paysages de Hautes Corbières ©Gilles Deschamps

Stunning panoramic views

Direction Lagrasse. The electrical assistance proves to be a necessity on the final ascent. But the reward at the top is a picture postcard landscape of the village nestling at the bottom of the valley!

Panoramic shots and selfies done, the descent becomes a mad race to the bottom where the last to arrive has to buy the coffee!

Le village de Lagrasse et son Abbaye ©Gilles Deschamps
Balade à vélo dans les Hautes Corbières ©Gilles Deschamps
Randonnée à vélo avec vue sur l'Abbaye de Lagrasse ©Gilles Deschamps
Randonnée en famille en direction du château de la Bouisse ©GIlles Deschamps

03 Highlight

Lagrasse
a Medieval gem

Balade en vélo à Lagrasse ©Gilles Deschamps

Most beautiful villages in France

Now on foot, the cobblestone alleys of Lagrasse suggest a medieval walk out of time. The abbey and narrow streets are an invitation to wander. A waymarked itinerary leads to the heart of the town. Behind a majestic door, the Maison du Patrimoine hides a little-known treasure: its painted coffered ceilings This is a total immersion in the Middle Ages.

Abbey and medieval towns

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Lagrasse,
the largest Benedictine abbey in Medieval Languedoc

An Lagrasse, the abbey stands opposite the village. The abbey and medieval towns are now all part of a “Sites of Cathar Country” network.

Abbey living quarters, chapel, dormitory … well worth a visit !

Find out more

Remember to download our apps

To enhance your visitor experience, you can follow in the footsteps of the Cathars with our mobile apps: “Guide to Cathar Country”, for an in-depth, interactive tour of the site, or “Castrum”, to make culture fun.
An invitation to further explore the main sights of Cathar Country.

Togetherness at the market

You’ll be drawn to the musical accent and the southern feel as the market unfurls in the Medieval market halls! The mouthwatering sight of seasonal fruit and vegetables, charcuterie, cheese and honey… A chance for the local people of Corbières and Minervois to meet and catch up on the latest gossip. So there’s chatting galore as the shopping baskets fill up to the brim!

Pique-nique au bord de l'eau à Lagrasse ©Gilles Deschamps

A lazy moment

The bell tower clock strikes midday, time for a picnic on the shady banks of the Orbieu river. An idyllic setting to taste the food purchased at the market and admire the Abbey of Sainte Marie d’Orbieu. After a meal of all-local ingredients, washed down with a bottle of Corbières, it’s time for a nap in the shade of the ancient ashes.

04 Highlight

Fun in the water

Baignade à Ribaute ©Céline Deschamps
Baignade à Ribaute ©Céline Deschamps

Batteries recharged, we head for Ribaute. Shush … this village has a heavenly little secret spot. Below are some amazing natural pools. A quick balancing act across the rocks and you’re right in the middle of the river. This is the refreshing bit. Under the hot sun, a swim and a water fight are just what’s needed! Time stands still in the Corbières…

Did you know?

The Orbieu river takes its name from the Occitan term “Or blau”, which means “Blue Gold”. Water is a precious resource here in the Corbières.

L'Abbaye de Lagrasse ©Edgar de Puy-ADT de l'Aude

Hugo Blanquier

MTB instructor

What the expert says

As manager of Languedoc VTT Evasion, Hugo Blanquier proposes guided MTB excursions to discover the gems of Aude, Cathar Country. Sports lovers, wine enthusiasts and fans of local produce will find just what they’re looking for in the array of itineraries available. Hugo can also provide baby seats.

My tip: For your excursion, remember to wear suitable shoes and bring a bottle of water, as well as sun cream in the summer season.

Try the experience yourself...

The itinerary between Fabrezan and Lagrasse takes you exploring many features of this land of riches.

LANGUEDOC VTT ÉVASION

Cycles NARBONNE

From 15€

The whole information from Corbières-Minervois
Tourist office

MUSÉE CHARLES CROS

Museums FABREZAN

ABBAYE DE LAGRASSE

Religious site LAGRASSE

From 7,50€

ENTRE LES VIGNES AVEC CARLOS

Cultural activities LAGRASSE

Getting here

By car

From Carcassonne, the D3 road is much more picturesque than the motorway. After passing Trèbes, you can reach Fabrezan by crossing the rolling vineyards of the Dagne Valley.

Electric charging stations

(See the electric recharging points in the municipality)

Get directions :

Something to take home

Local produce

A selection of Corbières PDO quality wines.

Unusual vinegars from the Cyril Codina’s vinegar factory.

Goat cheeses from Montagut Farm in Thézan-des-Corbières.

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