Address: Languedoc France
Phone: +33(0) 468 20 82 79
Website: http://cathar-tours.com/

We are a small, exclusive, family run tour provider based in the Languedoc Roussillon region of South West France. We are located in the department of Aude close to the Pyrenees Orientals, which is ideal for the tours we operate. We cater for small groups of up to 8 people plus instructors and/or guides where applicable.

Cathar Tours guided walking holidays in Aude, Languedoc, South West France are based and designed primarily for couples of varying ages and abilities. The department of Aude occupies the bottom right of the region of Languedoc and takes its name from the river that runs through the department rising in the Pyrenees where it makes its dramatic descent through the gorges in the high valley (Haute Vallee) after which it meanders across the plains to finally meet the Mediterranean at the ancient roman city of Narbonnne. The departmental administration is based in Carcassonne where within a short walk can be found the magnificent ancient Cité of Carcassonne surrounded by not one, but two high ramparts and boasts an incredible 52 towers. Aude is also the land of the romantic Cathar castles which are in abundance from which we have taken our name.

Audes spectacular and varied landscape makes the area ideal for walking. The high mountain paths and meadows, the plains and the coastal nature reserves offer walking at all levels and abilities making it one of the most popular walking areas in France. One important factor that contributes to the popularity of the area with walkers is the climate. The region benefits from a late autumn, early spring and a short winter. This makes it possible for us to walk virtually all year with just a short break between mid July till early September due to excessive temperatures (around 35/40 deg C).

We offer a varied selection of holidays and tours in an attempt to help you discover the region, they are broken down as follows.

Walking Holidays - Designed for those that want to walk both guided or on their own. We have a large selection of approved walks designed for all abilities.

Health and Beauty - For ladies that want to be pampered or for those people who suffer from aches and pains this could be a unique experience for you.

Water Sports - Be it a gentle paddle down the river to ‘full on’ White Water Rafting our region can offer it all.

Wine Tours - For the beginner to the connoisseur the Languedoc offers some of the finest wines in France. Areas include Aude, Languedoc Roussillon and South West France.

Historic Languedoc - The Languedoc is a region full of history dating back thousands of year through to the Cathars and Knights Templar whose castles scatter the landscape. Walled towns and cities, the most famous of which is Carcassonne, ancient hermitages build in to the sandstone cliffs high in the high valley of the Agly.

Spiritual Tours - Languedoc is an extremely spiritual place for many people with the sacred Bugarach mountain just a short drive away. People are attracted from all over the world to this peaceful and spiritual region of France.

Combination Breaks - Basically a combination of two or more of our tours giving you the opportunity to get a taste of Languedoc, the activities and holidays we offer.

The Languedoc Roussillon region is ideal for people who like to walk and caters for all levels of walkers. There are around 440km of documented walks  representing some 168 hours of walking in the region with over 80% of them being circular. The routes vary in length from a modest 1km to around 17km. Each walk is graded for difficulty using a range of colours, Green (the easiest), blue, red and black (the most difficult). There are 19 green walks, 15 blue walks, 19 red walks and 9 black walks making 62 walks in total. All the walks have been graded and signposted by the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre
  
The walks cover various terrains and interests from mountain to town and even cities. Each one is unique and many help unfold the fantastic history and natural beauty of this spectacular landscape. Of course with a name like Cathar Tours you should expect a visit to at least one of our magnificent Cathar castles.