La Vitarelle

    open from April 15th to 0ctober 15th

       Lat    43.21256

       long  2.19120

english

Situated 25 km to the north of Carcassonne on the south facing slopes of the Montagne Noire, La Vitarelle is in the heart of Cathar country, close to the Haut-Languedoc.

At 500 m above sea level, it enjoys both Mediterranean days and cool, pleasant nights. La Vitarelle offers naturist holidays as close to nature as possible.
There are merely 25 pitches within its 13 hectares (30 acres), surrounded by vaste tracts of pine, chesnut and other woodlands.

                          A large pool is sheltered from any wind so you can     swim and sunbathe, snooze or chat.

                            a peaceful pitch among the  trees

The surrounding area boasts meandering streams, impressive waterfalls (including the 90 m high falls at Cubserviès), the legendary Cabrespine pit (deeper than the Eiffel tower), and wild, ancient landscapes.

A collective barbecue allows you to grill your own meats and, once a week, a group evening meal is prepared for those who wish it. You can organise activities if you wish, and evenings can be spent in convivial company, around the fire and under the stars.

Walking or VTT (mountain biking) are possible on site or in the vicinity
Lake Laprade (90 ha) only a few kms away, allows sail boarding.
All main services are on hand at Cuxac-Cabardès, 4 km away. There is a doctor, nurse, post and telecommunications, and a shop). Bread is delivered daily to the camp site. Cans, bottles and other waste materials are sorted on site.

  CATHAR COUNTRY :  A RICH HISTORY OF FREEDOM

Occitania has a rich history of freedom and has always provided refuge to those were persecuted. These included the Cathars, Sepharadic Jews, Camisards, Spanis refugees and the Maquis to mention but a few. One group worth mentioning are the Cathars. They were a religious group, which were fonded in the eieventh century. By the thirtheenth century, Catharism was the main religion in Occitania.

Fearing the spread of this christian religion, Pope Innocent III, together with the King of France, sent a papal crusade to Occitania.

The crusade was sent for two reasons: to defend catholicism and to annex occitanian lands to France. After forty years of war against the Cathars, during which five hundred thousand men, women and children were slaughtered, Occitanian lands became part of France.

Although, Occitania has never been politically liberated, it is distinguished and united by the language, as well as by  a large number of cultural specificities seen in the food, architecture, attitudes and way of life.

The Occitanian language is spoken by 1,5 million people in the "Midi". Occitania is also unified by its flag featuring the Occitan cross.

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tariff

to drive to la Vitarelle

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The area has many interesting cultural activities.

• Carcassonne, the citadel with the 26 towers was classified by UNESCO in 1997 as a World Heritage Site. There are medieval architecture, Cathar castles such as Montségur, Aguilar, Lastours (nearby), Quéribus,Puivert, Peyrepertuse...
  
• Montolieu, (the Hay-on-Wye of France) is the City of the Book, with calligraphers, engravers, printers, bookbinders, and sellers of new and second hand books.
  
• There are 11 abbeys (Fontfroide, St Hilaire, Lagrasse, Baraigne, St Papoul...) and more than 20 Romanesque churches
  
• Canal du Midi
  
• Visit Font-Romeu, with it geant solar oven and the unique little yellow railway of Cerdagne -with request stops- !
  
• the Pyrenees and Spain are an hour and a half away by car ; the Med less than an hour.
  
• There are festivals of music and theatre (Festival de Carcassonne)
  
• Impressive caves and pits (Limousis, Cabrespine, Aguzou...)
  
• excursions, rivers trips, sailboarding, parapenting, fossiling, climbing, horse riding, rafting.
  

                    The sea-shore is only one hour far away from la Vitarelle by car.

So, rather than to pay a pitch 30% more than a pitch at la Vitarelle, if you choose a campsite just by the sea, it seems it could be a better idea to plan your holidays at a quiet place such as la Vitarelle.

And, if you really wish to visit the shore to taste the Mediterannean sea, you can drive in the morning, and then to come back to la Vitarelle in the evening to enjoy a peaceful and stillness night.

( You have to note that the prices in a campsite at the sea are around 30% more expensive than the prices in the land or at the mountain.)  http://naturisme.franceserv.com/tarifs.html

MAJESTIC ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURE AT ITS BEST

Carcassès ( the country around Carcassonne) is a region of plains located between the Black Mountain, where you will find la Vitarelle, and the Pyrénées, including the Cabardès, the Minervois, the Corbières and Carcassonne.

This ancient medieval city lies on an important route linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean sea and Spain to France and Italy.

Carcassonne is known worldwilde for its medieval city an architectural complex unique in Europe. The amazing walled city has 52 towers and two defence walls surrounding the inner castle.

Carcassonne is a world heritage site with plenty to see and to do, including festivals in the city from 5 th to 30th of July.

Don't worry, it's not an usual scene to see a crocodile swimming in the pool !

  In the Spring, at la Vitarelle, the grass is as green as a Scottish golf-course! But it's not guaranteed in summer. Of course!

Domaine de la Vitarelle