From beautiful “Maison des Illustres” to lesser-known buildings, Camping La Pinède offers you a short tour of the houses in the Aude region that have a story to tell. A plunge into the little stories behind the big story that will fascinate young and old alike!
Charles Trenet’s birthplace
The man affectionately known as “le fou chantant” was born in Narbonne on May 18, 1913. Narbonne . He died in 2001 at the age of 87. Twenty years after his death, many admirers make the annual pilgrimage to Narbonne to visit the birthplace of the world-famous singer. Located at number 13 avenue Charles Trenet, the “house with green shutters”, now a Maison des Illustres, has remained in its original state. Each room has its own story, its own song, and features an audiovisual and interactive scenography, animated by numerous archive documents, the artist’s personal souvenirs, period objects, the living room with its piano, the singer’s old TSF… A very moving visit!
- Address: 13 avenue Charles Trenet, 11100 Narbonne, open daily 10am-1pm and 2.30pm-6pm, admission €6/adult, €4/child over 10.
The Occitan Truffle House
In the heart of the Minervois region, the Maison de la Truffe d’Occitanie offers an interactive tour to discover the history of truffles and the secrets of the Black Diamond in Cathar country. The 300 m2 museum houses several themed rooms with slide shows, audiovisual aids, tastings and culinary workshops. Learn all about the precious mushroom of gourmets and enthusiasts, its environment, cultivation, harvesting, marketing and gastronomy. Children are not forgotten. To spice up the visit, a treasure hunt allows the youngest visitors to share an exciting and original experience with their parents.
- Address: 32 avenue du Jeu de Mail, 11160 Villeneuve-Minervois, open daily from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6.30 pm, prices: €6.50/adult, €3.50/child aged 7 to 15, free for children under 6, www.maisondelatruffedoccitanie.com
La Maison de La Clape in Vinassan
Founded in Vinassan in 1991, the Maison de la Clape is the place to discover the Clape massif, managed by the Regional Nature Park (PNR). Thanks to films, a photo exhibition, interactive tools and touch screens, visitors can discover the flora and fauna of the massif (a Natura 2000 site), human activities over the centuries (pastoralism, beekeeping), sites to visit and the La Clape hiking trails to explore, as well as the products for which the region is famous (wine, honey, olives, saffron, salt and shellfish).
- Address: 24 rue Jean Jaurès, 11110 Vinassan, open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, free admission, www.maisondelaclape.com
Maison Déodat Roché (museum of Catharism)
Nestled in the Corbières mountains, in the small village of Arques, the birthplace of philosopher and historian Déodat Roché (1877-1978) houses a permanent exhibition devoted to Catharism. We learn a great deal about the moral, spiritual and political culture of this medieval Christian religious movement, a dissident of the Roman Church and highly influential in Languedoc until the 12th century. Take the opportunity to visit the https://www.chateau-arques.fr an ancient fortified house built at the end of the 13th century in the heart of the Haute-Vallée de l’Aude.
- Address: 3 Rue Déodat Roche, 11190 Arques, open from early March to mid-November, prices from €2.00.
La Maison des Mémoires – Centre Joë Bousquet in Carcassonne
During your visit to Carcassonne discover the home of surrealist poet Joë Bousquet (1897-1950). Housed in a former 16th-century town house, now a “Maison des Illustres”, the museum features a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the Aude writer and friend of Paul Valéry, Aragon, André Gide and Simone Weil. The documentation center is also a venue for scientific meetings, training courses, exhibitions, conferences and publications, focusing on the history of human sciences, ethnology, heritage and territories.
- Address: 53 Rue de Verdun, 11000 Carcassonne, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm (except public holidays), free admission.
The Maison du Patrimoine – château d’Usson
Wedged between the Aude and Ariège rivers, on a rocky promontory on the banks of the Aude, the Cathar castle of Usson is home to the Maison du Patrimoine. Over 700 m2, visitors can discover the long history of Usson and Donezan, from prehistory to the present day, through exhibitions, slide shows, archaeological objects excavated from the castle, and a reconstructed traditional mountain habitat. All summer long, guided tours, lectures, storytelling walks, falconry shows, treasure hunts and historical re-enactments bring the ancient Cathar fortress to life. Don’t miss the panoramic view of the mountains and Aude valley from the top of the castle tower.
- Address: Hameau d’Usson, 09460 Rouze, free guided tour Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, 2 – 4 pm (July and August), price: from €4.50, ww.patrimoines.hauteariege.fr