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Montréal

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Aude

Montréal - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Aude
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Bourg of about 2000 inhabitants in the Aude, Montréal takes place between Carcassonne and Mirepoix. Under oceanic and Mediterranean influence, it is more than 400 meters high for its highest points, not far from Arzens, Cailhau and Alzonne.

Occupied since the Bronze Age, the territory of Montréal has also had a strong Roman influence. The city developed in the Middle Ages, especially with the construction of a castle. Heart of the Cathar country and fief of the lords of Laurac, it was particularly the seat of the Cathar councils and the dispute between Catholic and Cathars in the early thirteenth century. In full swing in the 14th century, the village will also suffer many ravages during the wars of religion.

Formerly an important center of gunpowder production, Montréal is today a more peaceful city and mainly turned towards tourism. The wealth of its architectural and historical heritage, and its proximity to some of the most beautiful sites in the region make it a place not to be missed in the area.

Geographical information

MunicipalityMontréal
Postcode11290
Latitude43.1998270 (N 43° 11’ 59”)
Longitude2.1406250 (E 2° 8’ 26”)
AltitudeFrom 117m to 443m
Surface area55.03 km²
Population2171 inhabitants
Density39 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureCarcassonne (18.9 km, 23 min)
Insee code11254
IntercommunalityCC Piège Lauragais Malepère
DepartmentAude
TerritoryLanguedoc-Roussillon
RegionOccitanie

Nearest cities & towns

Villeneuve-lès-Montréal4.5 km (7 min)
La Force4.8 km (6 min)
Cailhavel5.6 km (9 min)
Arzens6.5 km (8 min)
Bram7.2 km (10 min)
Brézilhac7.6 km (12 min)
Cailhau7.7 km (13 min)
Villesiscle8.1 km (11 min)
Alzonne8.2 km (12 min)
Lasserre-de-Prouille8.9 km (10 min)
Ferran9.3 km (14 min)
Alairac9.8 km (13 min)
Fanjeaux9.9 km (11 min)
Sainte-Eulalie10.1 km (13 min)

Things to see and do

Listed as a Historical Monument, the Saint-Vincent Collegiate Church is a 13th-century church built in the 14th century by Pope John XXII and in southern Gothic style. Outside, you can admire on the southern facade a magnificent carved porch, while inside you can enjoy the unique nave twenty meters long, and wooden stalls of the seventeenth century finely carved. Several paintings also take place in the collegiate, like the seven canvases of Jean-Baptiste Despax retracing the life of Saint Vincent, his ordination, his preaching, his arrest or his martyrdom. In the chapel opposite the front door, it is also possible to see paintings by Jacques Gamelin depicting Saint Peter healing a paralytic and Saint Roch rescued by an angel.

The oppidum is the other great tourist site of Montréal. The city has gradually built on this building of Celtic origin. Dating approximately from the 3rd or 2nd century BC, it leaves remains scattered in the old center.

Places of interest

Natural sites

Events and festivities

A bandas festival is held every year at Pentecost with various local and national groups.

Every two years, in odd years, in July, the town hosts the Festival of International Folklore which is an opportunity to attend a cultural exchange between several countries.

In August, an organ concert is offered at Saint-Vincent Collegiate.

Photos

Montréal
Montréal
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Organ of the 18th century
Organ of the 18th century
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Montréal
Montréal
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Montréal
Montréal
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Weather

Tuesday 7 may
Min. 10°C - Max. 14°C
Day
Night
Wednesday 8 may
Min. 11°C - Max. 20°C
Day
Night
Thursday 9 may
Min. 12°C - Max. 24°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Many hiking trails passable by foot, bike or horse can discover Malepère.

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Ticket - Castle and ramparts of the city of Carcassonne (40 minutes from Toulouse)
Culture and education11 € Carcassonne (18.1 km)
Rafting on the River Aude
Sports sensations35 € to 40 € Alet-les-Bains (24 km)
Seated amma massage
Well-being15 € to 35 € Mazamet (37 km)
Canyoning in Montagne Noire
Sports sensations42 € to 69 € Mazamet (38 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Visit to Saint-Hilaire Abbey
HikeEasy3:00Verzeille (16.9 km)
The Wonders of the Cathar Country
Car itineraryEasy9:00Verzeille (16.9 km)
From the city of Carcassonne to Lake La Cavayère
Cycling itineraryEasy5:00Carcassonne (17.3 km)
Versants of the Hard
HikeIntermediate5:30Cuxac-Cabardès (22 km)
The Green Line
Mountain bike itineraryIntermediate8:00Mirepoix (25 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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