Villebazy offers several specific reasons to visit: hikes to the Crausse and Crausse-Rabassié forests, a winegrowing identity in the Blanquette de Limoux production area, and local history dating back to the 9th century. If you are weighing nature, local history and wine as different interests, these themes offer a way to get to know the town. A circular hike from Villebazy offers a chance to discover the Crausse Forest; a hike from the village offers a chance to explore the Crausse-Rabassié state forest. There is also La Ferme de Lamoure, with its equestrian and educational activities. This means your travel plans can include not just one activity, but a combination of landscape, local history and horse riding.

Hiking and the Villebazy landscape

A circular hike from Villebazy offers a chance to discover the Crausse Forest. This forest was formerly owned by Saint-Hilaire Abbey. The hike therefore combines a specific landscape with a historical connection.

The Crausse-Rabassié state forest can also be explored on a hike from the village. The hiking routes have different focuses: one is defined by its circular route, while the other emphasizes the starting point in the village and the state forest as its destination.

Villebazy itself is located on a small rocky hill overlooking the surrounding area. The village’s location adds a specific topographical feature to the forest themes. The town can therefore be understood both through its own setting and through the named hiking destinations.

Local history between castle and church

Villebazy’s origins date back to the 9th century. The village had a fortified castle that successively belonged to the Counts of Carcassonne and later to Saint-Hilaire Abbey. No traces of the castle remain, so it is part of Villebazy’s history, not a surviving building.

Saint-Hilaire appears in two different historical contexts: the abbey formerly owned the Crausse Forest and later became one of the castle’s owners. This connection brings together the landscape and local history. During a cultural outing in the past, visitors also stopped at the small Church of Saint-Fructueux to admire its restored paintings. This adds a specific art theme to the local history alongside the castle and abbey.

Winegrowing as a local feature

Villebazy is a winegrowing village in the Blanquette de Limoux production area. Wine is therefore both part of the local character and a clearly defined regional feature. For the Toques et Clochers event, announced for 23 March 2013, Gardie and Villebazy joined forces. Visitors were to discover the exceptional beauty of the landscape, the distinctive hillsides and that year’s wines. The event context at the time brought together wine, landscape and hillsides.

Horse riding and visits at La Ferme de Lamoure

La Ferme de Lamoure is an equestrian and educational farm in Villebazy. Activities include half-hour pony rides leading the pony by hand, one- or two-hour horseback rides, and half-day or full-day riding tours. The different time options make it easy to distinguish a short activity from a larger part of the day spent riding.

The activities go beyond horse riding: they also include informal visits, guided group visits and animal-assisted learning. So, if you are interested in the farm’s educational side, there are other options besides the rides.

Discover more destinations: Thézan-Des-Corbières, Saissac, Azille, Marseillette, Caves, Saint-Ferriol, Axat, Cailhavel

For the broader travel overview: Aude.