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Espéraza

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Aude

Espéraza is a commune in the Aude department, in the Occitanie region, 20 km south of Limoux.

Its territory of more than 10 km² is located in the upper valley of the Aude, whose course crosses the locality from south to north.

In the heart of the Pyrenean Piedmont, Espéraza has preserved a green environment, wooded, shrubby and herbaceous environments constituting 49% of its area and agricultural areas covering another 37%. Several sectors are protected for their biodiversity, renowned in particular for sheltering nesting areas.

Seigniory belonging to the Aniort family during the Middle Ages, Espéraza was renowned under the Old Regime for its "carrassiers" and "rafters" who carried floating trains of logs to the sea via the tormented course of the Aude. This wood is used for heating, housing and for shipbuilding from the 17th century.

Later, the commune specializes in the production of wool felt hats. An industry that employed several thousand workers in the 19th century but declined after the Second World War.

Nowadays, Espéraza which only has 1800 inhabitants (against double during the inter-war period) still has a diversified leisure offer. With its historical and natural heritage, it is not lacking in interest for visitors and vacationers.

Geographical information

MunicipalityEspéraza
Postcode11260
Tourism label
Latitude42.9358460 (N 42° 56’ 9”)
Longitude2.2199090 (E 2° 13’ 12”)
AltitudeFrom 229m to 480m
Surface area10.52 km²
Population1742 inhabitants
Density165 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureCarcassonne (44 km, 51 min)
Insee code11129
IntercommunalityCC Pyrénées Audoises
DepartmentAude
TerritoryLanguedoc-Roussillon
RegionOccitanie

Nearest cities & towns

Val-du-Faby2.4 km (6 min)
Montazels3.3 km (7 min)
Campagne-sur-Aude3.4 km (8 min)
Couiza4 km (7 min)
Antugnac4.4 km (7 min)
Granès6.3 km (12 min)
Saint-Ferriol6.5 km (12 min)
Luc-sur-Aude6.8 km (11 min)
Coustaussa7 km (13 min)
La Serpent8.6 km (14 min)
Rennes-le-Château8.7 km (15 min)
Saint-Jean-de-Paracol9.3 km (15 min)
Quillan9.4 km (13 min)
Serres10.1 km (15 min)
Saint-Just-et-le-Bézu10.7 km (19 min)

Things to see and do

In terms of heritage, the parish church of Saint-Michel was erected for the first time in the 12th and 13th centuries, on the banks of the Aude, in a Romanesque style. During the Wars of Religion, fierce fighting took place in 1575 when Protestant troops entrenched themselves in the village. The church was then destroyed with the exception of a few sections of walls which were integrated when a new building was built in the first half of the 17th century. These old masonries are located at the level of the bedside. Very high quality murals were unearthed in 1956, on a wall of a chapel that had become a sacristy. These decorations date from the 12th century. More recently, an 18th century statue was discovered under the paving. Listed in the Inventory, restored between 1995 and 2007, the building had been altered somewhat in the 19th century due to its proximity to the river: a protective wall, on the river side, was added and the entrance at the foot of the tower was walled up. Finally, we notice on the pediment the republican motto "Liberté, Egalité, fraternité", as well as the mention "Communal property", additions engraved in 1906.

In another genre, another site is protected as a monument historical. This is the "Pont Vieux" which spans the Aude. Composed of three arches, it would have been made in the 18th century having then integrated previous elements. In the 20th century, the apron was widened and a railing installed. It was also preceded by the reinforcement of the foundations of the piers. The fact remains that the structure has withstood all the floods of the Aude and is one of the oldest bridges in the valley...

However, it is not only the heritage that reflects the past (even very distant) of the common.

This is how two museums are located on Espéraza. The first is "Dinosauria" (the Dinosaur Museum), a unique establishment in France because it is entirely devoted to dinosaurs and their "contemporaries". It was founded in 1992. In a modernist architectural setting (a shell of glass and steel), are presented on 2000 m² of collections which allow us to go back to the origins of life on earth, 3.5 billion years ago. of years. Parts of skeletons or even whole skeletons unearthed in particular in the region, life-size reconstructed models, films lead the public to understand the evolution of the giants of yesteryear and more generally to apprehend the notions of biodiversity, geology and evolution of life. Created by top scientists but designed for the general public, the museum includes a research center. Paleontology workshops and events are regularly scheduled, especially for children and teenagers. Open all year. Price: 6.50 and 9 euros. Information on +33 4 68 74 26 88.

In an obviously different genre, the other local museum is devoted to millinery, which was also created in 1992. Documents (photos), objects, video projections and machines present the hat-making techniques but also explain how the industry developed from the 19th century to the aftermath of the Second World War. In Espéraza, when the era of craftsmanship gave way to industrial factories, the millinery employed up to 3,000 workers and in terms of production, a record was set in 1949 with 1.4 million hats made! Yet soon after, fashion returned hats to the rank of obsolete accessories. The industry was collapsing. Only this museum remains to testify to more than a century of know-how. Open every day. Price: 2 and 3 euros. Information on +33 4 68 74 00 75.

As for culture again, activities are regularly offered at the media library. Contact on +33 4 68 74 13 51.

For sports enthusiasts, note that a skate park track, bowling alleys (one covered and another outdoors), tennis courts and stadiums with football and rugby pitches. Information on +33 4 68 74 10 01.

Fishermen for their part have a "spot" of choice with the course of the Aude: find out about the regulations on +33 4 68 25 16 03.

The territory, following the valley and the banks of the river as well as the sometimes rugged hillsides and summits, lends itself to hiking. Maps and information on +33 4 68 20 07 78.

Places of interest

Transport

Events and festivities

Weather

Tuesday 19 march
Min. 10°C - Max. 20°C
Day
Night
Wednesday 20 march
Min. 11°C - Max. 19°C
Day
Night
Thursday 21 march
Min. 10°C - Max. 20°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, hikes, horse, donkey and pony rides, acrobatic circuits, natural labyrinth of common Nébias, Lake Puivert, gorges Galamus, Limousis cave, Cave of the Aguzou, Chasm Cabrespine, Cathar castles, natural hot springs of Alet-les-Bains, Lake Cavayère near Carcassonne, a medieval city of Carcassonne, Carcassonne Australian park, the eagles of the city in Carcassonne, Limoux wine cooperative for a tasting of the famous Blanquette de Limoux, African reserve Sigean, beaches of Narbonne ...

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Rafting on the River Aude
Sports sensations35 € to 40 € Alet-les-Bains (7.5 km)
Ticket - Castle and ramparts of the city of Carcassonne (40 minutes from Toulouse)
Culture and education11 € Carcassonne (32 km)
Family canyoning
Sports sensations39 € to 79 € Prades (39 km)
Discovery canyoning
Sports sensations44 € to 64 € Prades (39 km)
Tour of the Canalettes caves
Nature and the great outdoors6 € to 12 € Villefranche-de-Conflent (41 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Around Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes
HikeEasy1:00Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes (18.6 km)
On the Roman road
HikeEasy4:00Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes (18.6 km)
Our Lady of the Lord
HikeEasy30 minFenouillet (21 km)
Madrès Peak
HikeIntermediate3:00Roquefort-de-Sault (22 km)
Pic du Midi
HikeIntermediate3:30Roquefeuil (22 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
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