Activities
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On the farm
La Gigude is a real working farm and so you will find quite an array of animals here, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, chickens, horses and our part time lodger, Mr toad who returns each year to take up residence in the milking parlour. If you visit the farm during feeding time, you may even spot a sanglier (wild boar) They often come to share the troughs with the goats
Bird lovers maybe interested to know that the LPO (league protection oiseux) have installed a feeding platform on the farm to encourage the reintergration of a particular rare breed of vulture the “pecnoptère” Although there has been only one sighting of this variety, the “fauve” vultures have been known to come in large numbers (up to 80 at one time) between the months of April and the end of August.
Please visit the cheeserie and taste our cheeses. You can also purchase our farm products to eat during your stay or take home with you such as cheese, yogurt, eggs, jam and honey
The best times for visiting are between 9am and 11am when we are milking and making the cheese.
Things to see
Châteaux Cathares (Peyrepertuse, Quéribus, Puylaurens)
Château Peyrepertuse
Thought to be the most important and well preserved of the cathare castles with sheer drops on either side, at an altitude of 800m, this fortress can be dated back to the 1st century BC when it was occupied by the Romans. In 1258 the castle divided the border between France and Aragon and continued to do so for 4 centuries.Château Queribus
Spectacularly balanced on a rock with breathtaking views across to the sea and Canigou mountain.
Gorges de Galamus and Ermitage
This amazing gorge marks the border between Aude and The Pyrenees Orientales and can be crossed by car or by foot.
Saint Antoine
The small monastery- St Antoine carved from the rocks during the 7th Century is definitely worth visiting.
Prehistoric museum in Tautavel
With its exceptional archeological collections including the oldest man in Europe discovered in 1971 who is thought to be 450000 years old.
Mineral museum in Cubières
Dinosaur museum in Espéraza
The first French museum to be entirely dedicated to dinosaurs.
Rennes le Château
Try to find the hidden treasure believed to have been buried by Berenger Saunière.
Pyrenees and ski stations only 1.5 hours away
Perpignan and the Mediterranean sea an hour away
Spain 1.5 hours away
Things to do
Swimming
Several watering holes can be found in the area. You can take a dip in the river at Soulatge or Rouffiac, visit the amazing cascades at Duillac.
See: http://www.chateau-
peyrepertuse.com/lesGorgesDuVerdouble.aspxThere is an open air swimming pool (free) and resturant at Maury and a little further afield, a choice of beaches to suit every taste along the Mediterranean coast.
The long sandy beaches of Canet and Argelès are a tourists dream and the shops and cafés a nature lover's nightmare.
Shingle beach with huge market where we sell our cheese (Sunday) at Barcares.
Naturist beaches at Elne and Leucate. Rocky rugged coves at Collioure, the most beautiful beach town, near Spain.
Horse riding, Mountain walking, VTT
La Gigude is the perfect choice for walking, cycling and riding holidays ideally situated at the cross roads of the two most important footpaths across the Corbières the GR36 and the sentier Cathare, the Chateau Peyrepertuse (1hr) and the Gorges de Galamus (2,5hrs) can be reached by footpath directly from the farm. See for walking routes and other info: http://fcorpet.free.fr/duilhac/topoball.html
Rock climbing
At Tautavel and Vingrau.
Parapente
For a completely different perspective of the Corbières, why not fly off one of our spectacular mountain ridges with Didier, you can choose from three locations - The Chateau Peyrepertuse at Duillac, Mont Tauch at Tuchan or Ceret (near Spain).
ULM
For another novel way of viewing the Corbieres, take a flight in Pascals biplane (Tuchan).
