Castelnaudary, located in the Aude department in Occitanie, is a town rich in history and culture. Known for its famous cassoulet, this charming town offers much more than culinary delights. Rolling hills as far as the eye can see, an unimaginable palette of colors, the remains of castles and ancient pastel and flour mills - this is the Castelnaudary landscape. In every nook and cranny of the old town, with its southern charm, traces of a rich past are revealed. In this article, we present our top 11 must-see sights.
1. Visit the tourist office
The Castelnaudary Tourist Office offers guided tours of the town's monuments and local specialties. It can also advise you on the 42 other communes in the Castelnaudary Lauragais Audois Community of Communes. Book a tour to explore Castelnaudary's monuments and discover the region's know-how and specialties. Learn more about the Naurouze threshold, one of the technological wonders of the Canal du Midi, or the Abbey of Saint Papoul, with its 12 centuries of history. Consult their online cultural calendar or contact them to organize your stay in the capital of cassoulet.
2. The collegiate church of Saint-Michel, a must-see in Castelnaudary
The Collegiale Saint-Michel in Castelnaudary is a Southern Gothic building constructed between 1240 and 1270. Listed as a historic monument since 1910, it features a nave lined with nine chapels and an 18th-century high altar in white and red Caunes-Minervois marble. The bell tower, with its carillon of 35 bells, stands 50 meters high, making it one of the largest in the country. The building impresses with the grandeur of its nave and the sound of its great organs, listed in 1969 and maintained by the association Les Amis des orgues et du carillon de Castelnaudary.
3. Visit the Musée du Lauragais in Castelnaudary
The Musée du Lauragais in Castelnaudary is housed in a historic 16th-century building, the Présidial, a former civil and criminal court. This emblematic monument was built on the initiative of Catherine de Médicis, Countess of Lauragais, when Castelnaudary became a seneschaussée. Inside, you can visit the Saint-Pierre chapel, which houses two magnificent 18th-century reliquaries. You can also discover the exhibition "Dans les Saveurs du Patrimoine: Le Cassoulet de Castelnaudary", as well as the temporary exhibitions located in the former cells.
Discover our article dedicated to What to do, what to visit in Aude? Top 19 must-sees.
4. Visit the Curagel windmill
In the 17th century, Castelnaudary was home to 32 windmills. Built of local stone, this surviving mill is typical of Lauragais windmills, with its truncated cone shape. With the creation of the Canal du Midi, Castelnaudary became the only major port between Toulouse and the sea, facilitating the export of cereals from the Lauragais region. Active until 1921, the mill was restored in 1962 and retains its millstones and rotating framework, allowing it to be oriented according to the wind. It offers a panoramic view of the Montagne Noire. A must-see on the Canal du Midi!
5. Take a boat trip on the Canal du Midi
To discover the Aude landscape with 18th-century eyes, come aboard the Le Boat fleet! Enjoy a bucolic cruise on the Canal du Midi, the long stone and water route built in 1667 by Pierre-Paul Riquet. Lovers of pleasure and discovery will be able to explore typical local landscapes at their own pace, thanks to the rental of boats without a license. River tourism offers a diverse ecosystem, with plants, locks, stone and water structures, as well as the Grand Bassin, the largest navigable body of water in the town of Castelnaudary.
6. Notre-Dame de Pitié chapel
The Notre-Dame de Pitié chapel in Castelnaudary, located at the foot of the Collégiale Saint-Michel, is one of the oldest and most beautiful chapels built outside the town walls in the 16th century. Considereda jewel of Baroque art, the chapel is adorned with ten panels illustrating the Passion of Christ, from Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem to the Crucifixion. These works, by three different masters, are of exceptional quality. During the French Revolution, to avoid the chapel being sold off as national property, some 30 residents of the Saint-Antoine district acquired it. The gilded, polychrome wooden Virgin of Pity (16th century), the panelling and the altarpiece were classified as historic monuments on September 30, 1911.
7. Stop off at the Cave du Canal
La Cave du Canal is a charming restaurant located on the banks of the Canal du Midi, just before the Grand Bassin. This friendly place offerscuisine based on local produce, as well as platters to share. Evelyne and Gilles, the owners, emphasize local products while offering specialties from elsewhere. From April onwards, you can enjoy gourmet platters featuring preserved vegetables, anchovies, melon, chorizo and salads. In the off-season, the Coustelous cassoulet is also on the menu. La Cave du Canal is a real place of life, delighting locals and visitors alike, and one of the best restaurants in town.
8. Stroll along the Grand Bassin
Castelnaudary's Grand Bassin is a must-see spot in the Occitanie region for family walks, bike rides, jogging, sunbathing and picnics. Inaugurated in 1681, it was once surrounded by craftsmen working on the Canal du Midi. It's an ideal place to relax, listen to birdsong, admire the swans and imagine the mills of yesteryear. A postcard from 1904 shows the large basin lined with three windmills. The Île de la Cybèle, built as a breakwater, was home to a guinguette until the 1940s.
9. Take a tour of the Bel Air Distillery
The Distillerie Bel Air, located in Castelnaudary in the Aude department, is an artisan distillery specializing in organic essential oils. Visitors can discover the traditional, artisanal know-how of the distillers, who are passionate about local, organic aromatic plants. Workshops and training courses on well-being and essential oils are also offered.
10. Taste cassoulet at La Maison du Cassoulet
La Maison du Cassoulet is a fine brasserie serving traditional bistro cuisine and excellent cassoulet. The concept is simple, elegant and effective: local cuisine, two dining rooms and a large shaded terrace, a young team and late service. The chef will delight you with his signature dish, cassoulet with pork and duck, as well as with South-Western classics revisited in original ways. Don't miss the crispy duck confit and warm goat's cheese with honey, as well as the traditional cassoulet, one of the most typical dishes in French gastronomy. A fine selection of Aude wines will accompany your meal. Themed and festive events are organized in season.
11. Stroll around Castelnaudary's marina
Located in the Petit Bassin, near the heart of the town, this Blue Flag and Tourisme & Handicap-labeled marina offers a host of services on the quayside and in the river office. You'll find a logistics service, a water point, electricity and Wi-Fi connection for pleasure boats, as well as a laundry area and bike storage. In addition, a resource area offers cycle-touring maps for trips along the Canal du Midi. The port is flanked by two bridges emblematic of the Canal du Midi's heritage: the Pont Vieux, dating from the late 17th century, and the Pont Neuf, built in the 18th century.
Where to stay in Castelnaudary?
Castelnaudary, located in the Aude department in the Occitanie region, offers several accommodation options for visitors. Here are a few suggestions:
- Le Centre Hôtel : Go here to book a room in this hotel located near the canal and 5 minutes from the Grand Bassin. Rooms offer all the comforts you could wish for, and there's even a gourmet restaurant serving traditional cuisine downstairs!
- L'hôtel du Canal : Click here to book your stay in this beautiful, character-filled mansion, where the atmosphere is one of calm and serenity, on the banks of the Canal du Midi and close to the town center. Rooms offer breathtaking views of the canal. Ideal for a family reunion or corporate seminar!
- L'hôtel de France : Click here to book your stay at this hotel-restaurant , where the chef will delight the taste buds of even the most discerning palates, with cassoulet of course taking pride of place. Take a look at the guestbook, where Sacha Guitry wrote in the 1930s : "Le Cassoulet de Castelnaudary was so good, that when I ate it, I thought I was eating myself!
What are the beautiful villages to visit around Castelnaudary?
Languedoc-Roussillon is a region rich in history and historic buildings. During your stay, be sure to visit the surrounding villages and their monuments. We recommend
- Saissac, 30 km from Castelnaudary, with its medieval castle dating from the 11th century.
- Saint Papoul, with its abbey, a remarkably well-preserved jewel of Romanesque architecture in France.
- Fanjeaux, with its breathtaking scenery and rich Catholic past.
- Cathar castles: Château de Montségur, Château de Quéribus, Château de Peyrepertuse, Château de Puilaurens and Château de Termes. See our article on the 15 most beautiful Cathar castles to visit in Occitania.
Just 35 km from Castelnaudary, the town of Carcassonne, famous for its medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a must-see destination. It boasts an exceptional architectural heritage, a captivating history and a dynamic culture.
What to do in Castelnaudary when it rains?
When it rains in Castelnaudary, there are several indoor activities that can make your stay enjoyable:
- Visit museums and historical sites such as the Musée du Lauragais, where you can discover the region's history and local traditions through temporary and permanent exhibitions. Go to the Collégiale Saint-Michel to admire the southern Gothic architecture and works of art inside, or to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pitié, a jewel of Baroque art with its magnificent panels illustrating the Passion of Christ.
- Taste local cuisine at the Maison du Cassoulet, a brasserie renowned for its cassoulet, or at the Cave du Canal, where you'll find planks to share and local dishes in a convivial atmosphere.
- Go shopping at the Marché couvert, stroll through the stalls of local and artisanal products, explore the downtown stores for souvenirs and regional products.
- Take part in workshops and training courses at Distillerie Bel Air, for example, to learn more about organic essential oils and participate in wellness workshops.
