For a stay in Montlaur, the church and fortress offer tangible points of reference for exploring the area’s cultural history. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider whether architecture, nature or wine is your main interest. The “Nature et Patrimoine en Alaric” route has a precisely named starting point; vineyard tours require a reservation. The options therefore differ not only in subject matter, but also in their practical requirements.
Church and fortress: two historical perspectives
The church of Montlaur is dedicated to Saint Eulalia of MĂ©rida. It is Gothic, in a pure pointed-arch style. A large part of the building dates from the 14th century; the old bell is dated to 1399. The dedication and architecture offer different ways to understand the church: the dedication names the saint, while the description of the pointed-arch style highlights its architectural language. The dates add further context, with the 14th-century date applying to a large part of the church.
The Château de Montlaur was built around 1160 on the rocky outcrop of Pech Matus. Its fortifications consisted of an outer enclosure around the rock and a second wall with three gates and a barbican. Today, only the “portail de Bissens” gate remains of the medieval fortress. This clearly distinguishes the fortifications’ original layout from what survives today: the individual elements of the complex tell of its former arrangement, while the surviving gate marks the only preserved part of the fortress.
Route and natural setting
The “Nature et Patrimoine en Alaric” route starts at the car park at Col du Fer à Cheval, between Capendu and Montlaur. It lies in the “Corbières occidentales” Natura 2000 area. These two details answer different orientation questions: the car park identifies the starting point, while the area’s name places the route within its natural setting. Check the current route information before setting off, and follow the rules for using the trail. The Parc du Domaine de Montlaur also holds the EBTS label.
Wine tastings and cellar tours
Cellier des Troubadours is a cooperatively run winery where four winegrowers make wine together from their grapes. The winery is located in a former wine cellar dating from the early 20th century. The site thus combines the history of an older production building with the cooperative processing of grapes. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings and guided tours of the winery, both individually and in groups.
Another option is a discovery tour through the vineyards, available on foot or on horseback by reservation. When planning, distinguish between the tasting, the guided winery tour and these tours, which require a reservation. Since these are current visitor activities, confirm their availability before your trip and book the vineyard tour in good time. This lets you explore the wine theme in a way that suits the activities on offer, without confusing the different types of visit.
Discover more destinations: Pradelles-En-Val, Greffeil, Roquetaillade, Olonzac, Pomas, MĂ©zerville, Caux-Et-Sauzens, Leuc
For the broader travel overview: Aude.
