Les Canelles is a major spring at the mouth of a narrow gorge, where water forcefully resurfaces beneath jagged rocks. Together with the trails and chapels, this landscape gives a stay in Embres-et-Castelmaure a special character.
Spring and Hiking Trails
The La Sauveille route starts beside the town hall and is a yellow-marked PR trail covering 7.3 kilometres. From a section along the ridge, you can see the Corbières range and the village. The route also follows the shaded course of the Grave and crosses the stream at a ford before returning to the village. A detour to Les Canelles spring takes 20 minutes for the round trip; there is a designated picnic area there. The 20 minutes refers to this detour, not to the entire route. Check local trail and facility conditions before setting out. Water and trail conditions at the ford may vary depending on the season.
The Castelmaure loop also leads to a ridge. From there, you can see the surrounding rocky basin and the nearby Corbières peaks. Following the fire in August 2025, the Castelmaure trail was closed and impassable. Check its current status before planning to take the trail.
Churches and Chapels
The Church of Saint-Félix stands at the foot of the imposing ruins of the castle and the abandoned village of Castelmaure. It was built in the 11th century under the influence of Lombard masons. Its single-nave interior has four bays; the building also includes a transept and a semicircular apse. The small village church of Saint-Étienne has a different history: its roof collapsed in 1933 after a lightning strike and was subsequently poorly restored.
The Chapel of Notre Dame de l’Olive probably dates from between the 8th and 11th centuries. It has long been a place of pilgrimage. The religious celebration held annually on 8 September is associated with prayers for rain during the grape harvest. Check the current programme before travelling. The Circuit des Cols et des Chapelles loop passes the chapel and continues to Castelmaure and the Chapel of Saint-Félix.
Mountain Biking and Regional Trails
The Circuit des Cols et des Chapelles is a difficult, black-marked mountain bike loop covering 31.6 kilometres and starting in Embres-et-Castelmaure. The Col de Bent in Embres-et-Castelmaure is designated as a viewpoint on this route. Check current trail conditions before setting off.
On a broader regional scale, the Contrée de Durban-Corbières mountain biking area has a marked trail network covering 212 kilometres across 14 municipalities; this includes a route starting in Embres-et-Castelmaure. The VTT-FFC area also uses part of the Sentier Cathare. Some sections of this trail are considered very technical and physically demanding.
Wine and Crafts
You can taste wine at the SCV Castelmaure wine cellar. Check the current opening arrangements before your visit. The Atelier de la Source on the Route des Canelles in Embres-et-Castelmaure is a ceramics and sculpture workshop. Visits are possible by prior appointment; confirm your appointment before you arrive.
Discover more destinations: Félines-Termenès, Brugairolles, Belvianes-Et-Cavirac, Villebazy, Saint-Nazaire-D'aude, Lignairolles, Villegailhenc, Camps-sur-l'Agly.
For the broader travel guide: Aude.
