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Mouthoumet - built from the stones of the south
The little village of Mouthoumet is found in the Aude department of Languedoc-Roussillon, in the south of France. With its narrow streets and houses built from ancient stones, Mouthoumet epitomises this inland region of the south, unassuming, peaceful and seemingly little changed over centuries. The landscapes around Mouthoumet include the vineyards of the Corbières wine region and rocky scrubland rich with wild lavender and rosemary. The latter are filled with herds of goats that produce the excellent cheese AOC Pélardon.
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Mysterious connection
Mouthoumet lies close to Rennes les Châteaux, which draws many visitors all keen to try to solve the age old mystery connected with the Cathars, the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. There are some researchers who believe that there is a connection between this mystery and Mouthoumet, as the little village church possesses the fourteen stations of the cross that are remarkably similar to those of Saunière's Mary Magdalene Church in Rennes les Châteaux. Whether there is a connection or not, the little church is very beautiful, with its rustic stone interior and religious artwork.
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Mouthoumet has an excellent restaurant
Mouthoumet is tiny, but it does have some basic village amenities as well as a restaurant that attracts people from some distance away, so good is the food. On the menu you will find the superb locally produced goats' cheese, and many duck based dishes typical of the region. Don't forget to try the local Corbières wines too, which are spicy full bodied reds, perfect for enjoying with hearty rustic fare.
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Amenities in Mouthoumet
Mouthoumet has a school, and there is also a small general store for basic provisions, a bakery, a post office, a petrol station and a café. Larger shops and facilities are found nearby at Couiza (25 minutes), Quillan and Limoux (40 minutes).
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Out and about
There are many places of interest to visit in the region, and these include, of course, Rennes les Châteaux with its centuries old mysteries. Rennes les Bains is a small spa town with natural hot springs and a great swimming pool, handy for entertaining the kids on those long, hot summer days. The fairytale city of Carcassonne is just 70 kilometres away, and both the Mediterranean coast and the ski resorts of the Pyrénéan Mountains are near enough for sports and days out. Fans of white water and adventure sports will find lots of fun to be had near Mouthoumet, with rushing rivers for canoeing, rafting and canyoning.
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How to get there
It's quite easy to get to Mouthoumet from the UK as the travel links to the area are well established. Ryanair provides a very good budget service to Carcassonne and Perpignan, whist there are several airlines flying from the UK into Toulouse and Montpellier, including easyJet, bmibaby, flybe, British Airways and Jet2. Train travel is also possible as there are TGV stations at Toulouse and Montpellier, and a station at Carcassonne. A car is a necessity here, though, as the village lies in a rural area by the D613, the nearest major auto routes being the A9 and A61. Driving from the northern ferry ports can be done in a round twelve hours.
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Property prices and availability in and around Mouthoumet
The Aude, especially the smaller towns and villages that lie inland, offer some interesting properties at very reasonable prices. Character properties abound, many with fantastic views, and unlike in some areas there are still realistically priced renovation projects to be found.
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HOTELS IN MOUTHOUMET
* online booking & great prices
* up-to-the-minute availability
* unbiased hotel reviews
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AGENTS WITH PROPERTY IN THIS AREA |
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