Area Hotspots

The Musée de la Chapellerie, about two hundred metres away, tells the story of the hat industry that shaped Espéraza. Old machines still demonstrate how felt was shaped and pressed, and the collection of hats from different eras is surprisingly entertaining. It takes about an hour and explains why the town looks the way it does.

A little further, around six hundred metres from the house, Dinosauria presents the fossils found in the upper Aude valley, including remains of titanosaurs excavated near Campagne sur Aude. The museum is well designed for children and adults alike. Visitors interested in palaeontology can ask about the excavation sites that open to the public in summer.

On Sunday morning, the market fills the streets of the centre. Local cheese, charcuterie, honey, organic vegetables, bread and wine share space with crafts, second hand books and musicians. It is one of the most atmospheric markets in the department and attracts people from the whole valley, so arriving early is advisable.

The riverside itself offers simple walks along the Aude under the trees, and in summer canoeing and kayaking are possible on the calmer sections of the river. Anglers also appreciate this part of the Aude, and fishing permits can be bought locally.

For dinner, the small centre has a few restaurants, including Italian options such as Le Tyrex a short walk away. In the valley around, simple bistros serve cassoulet, duck and trout, with local wines from Limoux, where the sparkling Blanquette de Limoux is said to predate champagne. The hosts can recommend which places are open on a given evening.