LIMOUX

'Limoux' is a market town and ''sous-préfecture'' in the French ''département'' of Aude, a part of the ancient Languedoc province and the present-day Languedoc-Roussillon ''région''. It lies on the river Aude about 30 km due south of Carcassonne.

Contents

Culture

Sights

Markets

Places of interest

Miscellaneous

See also

External link

Culture

The town is perhaps best known for its Winter festival called ''Fècos'', often referred to (inaccurately) as a Carnival or ''fête''. It is generally referred to as ''Carnaval de Limoux'' in French language. This takes place between January and Easter and is conducted in Occitan, the traditional language of the area (In Occitan the word ''Fècos'' is the name of a dance characteristic of the festival).
The cafe scene is dominant in Limoux where food and drink represent the dominant cultural pastime.

Sights

The heart of the town is the ''place de la République'', a wide square with some fine stone arcading and a number of timber framed houses. Limoux straddles the River Aude and the banks are lined with grand houses, especially on the eastern side, the so-called ''Petite Ville'' (lit. "Small City").
Limoux is an attractive place with a wonderful sense of fun. The town likes to party in a most unself-conscious way and for its own pleasure rather than for the sake of tourists. While worth visiting in itself, it is also an excellent base for discovering the history of the region and is ideally placed for exploring the coast, the mountains and some of the finest walking country in France.

Markets

★ Weekly Market every Friday (or Thursday if a public holiday falls on a Friday).

★ FleaMarket or ''Brocante'' every first Sunday of each month on the Promenade du Tivoli.

★ Evening Markets on Tuesdays in July and August.

Places of interest

★ The Musée Petiet (Tourist Information Office),

★ Musée du Piano (Museum of the piano)

★ CathaRama (a history of the Cathar movement).

★ Winery tours at Sieur d'Arques and Aimery.

★ " La Bouichère " - Flassian, 2 hectares of gardens which is home to various collections of increasingly rare plant varieties.

Miscellaneous

Limoux was the birthplace of:

★ Francis de Gaston, Chevalier de Levis (1719-1787), Marshal of France

★ Alexandre Guiraud (1788-1847), poet, dramatic author and novelist

See also

★ Limoux Grizzlies, a rugby league club from Limoux

★ Blanquette de Limoux, a sparkling white wine produced in the area

★ Site de la Bande de Carnaval de Limoux ’Les Limouxins’

External link

★ Limoux photos and holiday attractions