Visit Tarn and Occitanie from Carcassonne to Albi
The campsite is situated at the centre of Toulouse, Carcassonne and Albi, at the feet of La Montagne Noire. It is the perfect starting location to visit the most beautiful sites in Occitanie; hiking and discover a wonderful preserved nature, and practice sports activities (canoeing, cycling, horse riding…).
Do everything without a car: visits right next to the campsite
The campsite La Rigole is at the heart of nature, 2000 feet high in the mountain. There is nothing more to envy for walks, peacefulness, sports and having fun.
But first: what is the Rigole de la Montagne?
The campsite owes its name to La Rigole de la Montagne. This channel has been built to feed le Canal du Midi with water. Pierre Paul Riquet was the architect of the all project, which ended in 1686. The canal, dams, lakes, channels… constitute a work that has been UNESCO classified.
In Les Cammazes, a tunnel-vault was built in 1686 so that La Rigole can run under the main road of the village. La Rigole flows in le Laudot river up to the lake Saint Ferréol. You can walk / cycle along the channel for 28km from les Cammazes to la Prise d’Alzeau.
Come and discover this magical and calm place!
Télécharger le Guide Les Rigoles du Canal du Midi
Walking or cycling excursions starting from the campsite
La Rigole de la Montagne
La Rigole de la Montagne is 300m from the campsite. There are 28 km flat paths to wander by foot or bike.
It is a true heaven for walkers and cycle tourists. There are the only ones allowed to enjoy these paths along the water and the centenary trees.
The lake des Cammazes
The lake is only 400m from the campsite.
You can walk or cycle around the lake (16km).
There are several amazing viewpoints.
Marked trails
There are 5 marked trails right from the campsite.
The forest of l’Aiguille (2 circuits: 5 km and 8km), Vauban vault and la Montagne Noire waters (7,5km), Around Les Cammazes lake (16 km), Sor valley (12 km), Le Circuit des Croix (5km)
UNESCO classified sites
Le Canal du Midi
Le Canal Du Midi was built in the XVIIth century in order to join the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea to make quicker slat transportation.
Actually, Le Canal du Midi runs from Sète to Toulouse (by Carcassonne and Castelanaudary). The second part from Toulouse to Bordeaux is called « Canal latéral à la Garonne ». Nowadays this piece of work is quiet place for walks and enjoy some fresh air. It has been UNESCO heritage classified in 1996.
The water comes from the Montagne noire in Tarn. Around the campsite are the first and some of the most impressive steps of the work: the Vauban vault, locks, dams, lakes in Lampy and Saint Ferréol, la Rigole de la Montagne.
Carcassonne
You can’t miss to visit the medieval city of Carcassonne: the castles, fortifications…
Carcassonne is in the department Aude, just 40 minutes driving from the campsite.
Do not hesitate to ask a map at the tourist office at the entrance of the fortress.
Castelnaudary
Castelnaudary is the town Pierre Paul Riquet has chosen to build the main basin of the Canal du Midi: between Toulouse and Sète.
Castelnaudary is also the capital of Cassoulet!
Albi
Albi historic centre is a marvel. Each street corner reveals a surprise: Saint Cecile Cathedral, the Old Gate; the view from the Tarn over the town and river… Albi hold a function in the XIIIth century during the war against the Cathars.
Toulouse
La Ville Rose offers the quiet rhythm of southern city of France. It is very pleasant to wander in its narrow and irregular small streets surrounded by the Garonne and the Canal du Midi.
Must-see in Toulouse: Saint Sernin basilic, Capitole square, banks of the Garonne river, la place de la Daurade…
Toulouse is the world capital of the Aeronautical and special industries. There is an open sky huge museum you can visit.
Must-sees in the surroundings
Montolieu
Village of books and bookshops.
Saissac and its Cathar castle
It highly dominates La Montagne Noire. The view over the Pyrenees is breath-taking. Saissac is only 10 minutes driving from the campsite; no excuse to miss this panorama.
Durfort
Anciennement Village du Cuivre, Durfort est aujourd’hui le Village des Artisans Créateurs : cuir, vannerie,cuivre,bois verrerie, peinture et sculpture, à découvrir à seulement quelques minutes du camping.
Saint Férreol
We explained that the basin in Saint Ferreol was built in order to be a water reservoir for the Canal du Midi. But the Lake of Saint Ferreol is also a place to relax, chill, swim and have fun for local people coming from the all Occitanie region and holiday makers. It is only 3 miles from the campsite.
- Landscapes are peaceful and wonderful: at the feet of the mountains surrounded by pine trees.
- You can enjoy many activities in Saint Ferreol: pedal boat, canoe, kayak, mini-golf
- Swimming and beach rest
Revel
Revel is situated in the local area called Le Lauraguais in Haute Garonne. The town is right down the mountain, 20 minutes from the campsite with car. Every Saturday morning, under the covered market built in the XIVth century takes place the market. It was elected among the 100 most beautiful French markets.
Discover a large range of local products in a friendly atmosphere: cheese, vegetables, fruits, wine, meat…
Sorèze
Soreze is a pretty small old city where you can visit the school-abbey. There is also a tapestry museum and glass material museum.
Le Sidobre
Ses blocs de granit et ses paysages insolites qui semblent sortir d’un livre fantastique forment une œuvre géologique unique. A pied ou à vélo, parcourrez cette zone parsemée de gros rochers biscornus à l’ombre de la forêt de la Montagne Noire.
Castres, the small Venice
Castres is called the small Venice. Stop by on the return from the natural phenomenon Le Sidobre.
Sports activities on the campsite
Canyoning in the Montagne Noire
Discover white water rafting in the amazing Gorges of the Montagne Noire. Starting near Mazamet (Tarn), you will slide in ravines, waterfalls and natural slides once walking, swimming or climbing.
Speleology in the Cave of Calel, in Sorèze
This is an unusual experience: exploring natural caves, close to the great sites of Midi-Pyrénées (Sorèze).
Mountain biking
Enjoy the 28km cycling paths along the channel La Rigole de la Montagne. It is quiet and charming with nature. On your way you can stop by UNESCO classified sites forming the Canal du Midi: Vauban vault, the Aiguille forest, Lake of Lampy, basin of Saint Ferréol…
Pétanque
Free competition every week on the campsite!
Canoeing on the Lake Saint Ferréol
Come and have fun at the Lake Saint Ferreol thanks to many activities offered: sports, water sports or relaxing ones.
Hiking
We suggest several hiking paths in Haut Languedoc Natural Park starting from the campsite: Discover Les Cammazes and the greatest sites of Midi Pyrenees.
Horse riding
In the village, “L’Etrier de la Montagne »offers short and long horse ridings in the Natural Park and the mountain.