There are events and activities to enjoy throughout the year, with each season bringing new charms. This list gives some of the highlights, and there are many more listed on local tourist information sites.
Regular events
Markets:
Chalabre - small Saturday produce market
Quillan - markets on Wednesday and Saturday mornings
Espéraza - Sunday morning market for a large range of food, crafts, clothes. Street food and live music
Mirepoix - large food market on Monday morning
Limoux - Friday market in the arcaded Place de la République and around
Wine:
Visit wine producers, taste and buy if you like. Many can be visited without an appointment.
Cinema:
The cinemas in Quillan and Lavelanet show films in their original language (with French subtitles) on Thursday and Monday evenings.
Information:
Quillan - Mondays at 1800 at the Tourist Office: free presentation of the area, and a chance to sample local products. Wednesdays at 0945: guided walking tour (small fee, reserve in advance on 04 68 20 07 78). Drop in for advice and information any time.
Summer events
The Tour de France route will be going through Puivert (about 500 metres from Horizons Verts) on 21st July 2019.
Click here for more details.
Night markets in July and August, all with food stalls and live music
Monday - Espéraza
Tuesday - Limoux
Wednesday - Puivert
Thursday - Quillan
Friday - Léran
L'Escale buvette by Puivert Lake has live music twice a week in summer, and there are also regular live music events at the brasserie in Puivert village.
Near Montbel village - bar L’écume des jours: live rock and jazz by the lake on Tuesday and Saturday evenings in July and August.
Medieval re-enactments through July and August in the Chateau de Chalabre, along side its normal 'medieval theme park' activities
Carcassonne Festival, Throughout July: one of the top festivals in France with music, theatre, ballet, opera and more performed by French and international artists
Puivert, Musée du Quercorb has free activities for children throughout the summer, and regular music and cultural events for all ages.
And in addition we can introduce you to activities like these:
Horseriding/ trekking - with experienced guides from a stable close by.
Rafting and other watersports from specialist centres on the river Aude above Quillan.
Sailing - hire a boat (or just a canoe) from the marina on Lac de Montbel.
Fishing - on Puivert lake or fly fishing in the Aude near Quillan.
Gliding - Puivert gliding club offers experience flights as well as pilot training, with English-speaking instructors.
Just ask us for more information!
Events by month 2019
27th January - 7th April Limoux Carnival: For over two months, every Saturday and Sunday and the Day of Mardi Gras, the Limoux Carnival, whose origins date back from the sixteenth century, is celebrated on the Place de la République in the centre of the town.
Click here for the full programme.
March
30th: Limoux Carnival of the World - groups from around the world parade and dance, accompanied by local troops.
31st: Limoux Carnival - all the bands from this traditional Carnival parade and dance together under the Medieval Arcades of the Place de la République. 600 masked dancers accompanied by 200 musicians perform their traditional dance, carrying their famous "Carabène" wands.
April
Quillan Flower Market with various animations, face-painting, food stalls
Quillan Carach bike race: This MTB Cross Country race takes place every year and brings together the best riders in the region. This is a difficult race, but it remains open to all!
May
1st - De Ferme en Ferme: Farmers in Couiza, Quillan, Axat and Belcaire open their farm to visitors to show their work and products. Lunches are organised at the farms
1st to 5th - Limoux Brass Festival
19th - Camon Fête des Roses - The narrow streets of the pretty fortified village are filled with roses, stalls and activities
30th May to 2nd June - Artistes à Suivre: 59 art exhibitions and a variety of events and music in 10 villages
Quillan Fête du Cheval: horse shows, music and activities
June
Fête de la Randonnée brings together amateur and experienced hikers for discovery trails in the Upper Valley of the Aude
July
2nd to 31st July - Carcassonne Festival. National and international artists, free and paid-for events. Music, theatre, ballet. In 2019 Joan Baez and Sting will be part of the line-up
13th Quillan - evening of the Fête Nationale (“Bastille Day”) - torchlit procession, live music and fireworks
14th Carcassonne - spectacular Fête Nationale fireworks
Quillan - Guitar Festival: free open-air evening concerts in Place de la République
Mirepoix - grand medieval festival takes over the squares and streets of the town.
Puivert, Musée du Quercorb: medieval music concerts and demonstrations
Chalabre - Grande fête médiévale in the castle
Puivert - Fête du Lac - dining, live music and spectacular fireworks by the lake
August
15th-18th - Chalabre en Sérénade: Music festival organised by international jazz artist "Vinx" - national and international singers gather for a "soul kitchen", jazz in the streets, concerts, and a grand finale.
Mirepoix - MiMa International Marionette Festival: a popular festival with marionettes large and small, traditional and modern, paid-for shows and free entertainment, stalls, food and activities.
Quillan jazz weekend. Free live concerts in Place de la République in the evenings
Peyrepertuse castle - medieval festival including jousting, archery, falconry and much more.
Fête de Quillan - Processions, open-air music, fairground, and a cycle race (“Critérium cycliste”) around town, with participation of well-known names from the world of cycling
Puivert, Musée du Quercorb: medieval music concerts and demonstrations
Quillan Criterium Bike Race: The best racers from the Tour de France compete in this one-day road race in the town centre
October
Quillan 3 mountain bike competitions: a long one for specialists, a middle distance one and a short one for everyone
Mirepoix Fete de la Pomme - a celebration of autumn, with apple juice making, a market, music, dance and a tractor parade
Espezel regional fair: animals, farm equipment, local produce, markets