Photo: by Guillaume PaumierIf you read this blog, you will know my favourite area of France is the Languedoc-Roussillon. So naturally this post about Quillan at TravelBite caught my eye. Here is an extract: Skiing in the winter, whitewater rafting in the summer or exploring the nearby Cathar Castles – there’s a host of activities to keep you occupied in the French town of Quillan all year round.Situated at the foothills of the Pyrenees, not far from the Spanish border and about 70 miles to duty-free Andorra (the sixth smallest nation in Europe), Quillan is a picturesque, rustic town with a population of a few thousand or so. According to local tradition, the town got its name from the three craggy hills, the Trois Quilles (the Three Skittles) which surround it.As it is located in the of region Languedoc-Roussillon , the town is within short driving distance to many majestic Cathar Castles, which were erected nearly a thousand years ago to protect the Cathars from invasions from the north. Some of the castles are rundown, but others like Carcassonne have been well kept and still serve as popular tourist attractions. Carcassonne city, which is a 45-minute drive from Quillan, is the only fortified town in Europe still inhabited. It is also home to the closest airport, followed by Perpignan, a large town near the Mediterranean coast, which is an hour’s drive away. You can get the train or bus from Carcassonne to Quillan, but you may prefer to hire a car at the airport. The nearest castles to Quillan are about 10 miles away (including Carcassonne Castle pictured below), including one in Puivert, a tiny town with a lake and man-made beach, which is great for a cool down in the high summer heat. In the summer a week-long Folklore Festival is held, where dancers, musicians and singers from around the globe perform during the day and evening on the town square of Quillan.Other cultural and sporting events such as music concerts, cycling races, motor racing and canoeing competitions take place in the town all year round; however, the busiest time for this is March to September. Read the full article: Quillan: delights of a small French townReferences:Quillan Tourism
Quillan Properties Video: Quillan from the Air!
No comments:
Post a Comment