In the Aude you can exercise your favourite sport throughout the whole year and
discover the magnificent landscapes. The varied landscape from the Pyrenees till
the Mediterranean with its beaches, lakes, forests, rivers, canyons and mountains
offers plenty of possibilities. Below an overview of sports and links(most of the websites
have an English language version), these 3 websites are updated regularly, and you will
find all nescessary information on them : http://www.audetourisme.com;
local sport clubs https://www.tourisme-corbieres-minervois.com
1.Water Sports Swimming-beaches
All beaches have surveyed areas. In general dogs are not allowed in these areas.
Outside the surveyed zones( eg.the beach from Port La Nouvelle direction La
Palme and La Franqui)you can access to the beach by car, walk your dogs, fish
and surf. Windsurf, kite, funboard
Leucate and Gruissan are famous spots for surfing, gliding, kite and funboard.
The lakes and beaches, always dominated by wind, are ideal for advanced adepts
and beginners. Throughout the year there are several events like the championship
of funboard, le Mondial du vent, etc…
You will find yacht harbours in Fleury, Narbonne Plage, Gruissan plage, Port
la Nouvelle and Port Leucate. Starting from there, you can make trips across
the cricks direction Spain.
There are sailschools and possibility to rent catamarans, Port Mahon is a charming small harbour at the lake
of Sigean, ideal for beginners
links : https://www.tourisme-leucate.fr;
http://www.gruissan-mediterranee.com/;http://www.port-mahon-voile.com/
Diving
From Narbonne plage till Leucate, the sandy beaches are ideal for initiation
and beginners. Around Leucate, the sea offers a rich underwater fauna and flora. https://www.tourisme-leucate.fr/
Canyoning, rafting, kayak
Raftin, kayak and canyoning is possible in the wild rivers of the Haute Vallée, region
of Quillan. You can follow the river stream of the Aude over 170 km, divided
in several stages of 12 to 61km, category 1 to 4. And Canyoning in the Corbières, gorges from Galamus and Termes http://www.audetourisme.com et https://www.oxygen-aventure.com/
Cruise on the Canal du Midi
Boat rental, no licence needed, with sleeping cabins, in different locations
at the border of the Canal. From one day till one week, you can discover the
canal passing different sluice-gates on your own rhythm, enjoy the shade of
the platane trees and numerous stops at charming villages having grocery stores,
bars and restaurants. https://www.tourisme-corbieres-minervois.com/sports-et-loisirs.html
2.Hiking, mountainbike, cycling and
horse back riding
Throughout the region many paths invite you to discover the nature and culture.
Between vineyards, rocks and canyons, these paths guide you to the cathar castles,
ruins, springs, small villages, all surrounded by impressive landscapes.
The majority of these paths have access by foot, mountainbike and horse.
2 GR paths cross the region, the "sentier cathare" is divided in 12
steps, "Les tours des Pays" disposes of 4 different tracks, and each
village has its own path, the "sentiers PR" well indicated and maintained,
starting from 1 h till maximum 1 day walk.
Info and tips : http://auderando.fr/index.php http://www.tourisme-corbieres-minervois.com/
Be very careful with fire, nature is very fragile, please respect it ! 1. The GR paths
GR7 (coming from the Montagne Noire, through the Canal du Midi, and crossing
the Lauragais, Fanjeaux and Mirepoix)
GR36(part of a European path, E4/Swiss-Spain), crosses the Aude from north to
south, you will pass the Pic de Nore, the Canal du Midi, Carcassonne, Lagrasse,
the magnificent Corbières and several Cathar Castles like Villerouge, Termes
and Peyrepertuse).
Signs in red/white marks, these paths take several days. Be prepared to have
sufficient food, water and sleeping bags. http://www.audetourisme.com;
2.The sentier Cathare :
One of the most famous in France. Takes you to a journey in time. Starting from
the coast till Montségur, through paths already used by the Cathars, you will
pass historical places like Queribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Puivert, Montségur
and Foix. . The path can be done by mountainbike and horse and has a total distance
of 200km, divided in 12 steps. Possibility to select only one lap having an
average of 4 till 8 hours walk. http://www.audetourisme.com;
3. The Tours de pays
4 different circuits in different regions of the Aude
-Le Tour du Pays Lauragais (134 till 190km) laps from 15 till 35 km
-Le Sentier du Golfe Antique: 75km path devided in 5 laps who guide you through
the lagoons of the Corbières; Bages and Sigean. Already used by the Romans,
these lagoons were close to the road linking Italy to Spain, the famous “Via
Domitia”, used by Hannibal and his elephants http://www.audetourisme.com;
4. The walks around the villages, called "sentiers PR"
Around the towns and villages you can find a broad network of paths called “les
boucles” or sentiers PR. Well maintained and having a yellow sign, the majority
of these paths are accessible by foot, moutainbike and horse and taking you
to nice spots of the area. These paths start in the villages and a panel informs
you of the level of difficulty and the average time(between 1h and 8h).
There are many of these paths, best is to inform you at the local tourist office
or at the mairie.
You have a large choice in the Corbières and La Montagne Noire
https://www.tourisme-corbieres-minervois.com/randonnees-a-pied.htm et
http://www.tourisme-montagnenoire.com/que-faire/randonnees-en-montagne-noire;
A path where modern art is exposed:
sentier sculpturel mayronnes;
Mountainbike and cycling
29 indicated mountainbike and cyclingtours(all levels) in the Corbières-Minervois: http-road cyclinghttp-mountainbike
Family cycling along the Canal du Midi and around Narbonne:
https://www.af3v.org/
QUAD: guided trips and courses in Paziols, english spoken: Petrolhead
3.Speleology,
Climbing, Hang-gliding Speleology
Situated between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, the Aude disposes of a
large underground network of grots, canyons and rivers. Besides the grots open
for the large public(Cabrespine et Limousis), you can also (under surveillance)
discover the mysterious under ground world in other areas
info: http://www.speleoclubdelaude.fr//,
http://grotte-aguzou.com accompanied
visit of min 3h, at 600m depth, beautiful walk and visit of 3 rooms) Climbing
Region of La Clape (Narbonne) and Haute Vallée (Quillan) http://www.audetourisme.com Hang-gliding:
Discovery flight in biplane : depending on the weather in Leucate, Tuchan and Argeliers
ULM airport in Lézignan-Corbières :
4.Fishing and hunting
Hunting on wild boar in (Corbières and Montagne Noire)
info: Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de l'Aude(tel: 04 68 25 07 42)
The large diversity in nature offers also a large diversity on fish from the
river (pure water), lakes or the sea. Fishing is regulated, you can ask a day or week permission
at:permis de peche ; and in some tobacco shops
You can also accompany the fishermen on their fishing craft , seeking the big
"Tuna" fish in Gruissan, Leucate and Port La Nouvellepeche au gros Leucate;
thon club gruissan;
peche étange et cotière-gruissan;
5.Winter sports
ski, snowboard and cross-country skiing in the Pyrenees https://www.ski-camurac.com/;
http://www.ax-ski.com ;
http://www.lesangles.fr
; http://www.font-romeu.fr/
