Things to do in the Languedoc:   Land Sports:   Horse Riding (Fr Equitation, US Horseback riding)

The area is ideal for horse riding (or walking or cycling or mountain biking) all year round.  There are many routes to discover in the Pyrénées and the Corbières.  Among them are:

Le Sentier Cathare.  From Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean Sea along the Pyrénées to Foix in the Ariège.  This is the most famous track in France.  Along it you will pass the ancient fortresses of Queribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Puivert, Montségur and Foix.

The Transéquestre. The Transéquestre crosses the Aude département from North to South, from the Black Mountain to Carcassonne then Limoux and to the castle at Puilaurens

More information : Equipyrène, Pyrénées without frontiers, horse riding guides. Or contact:   Comité Départemental du Tourisme Equestre,   Maison Départementale des Sports,   8 rue Camille Saint Saëns,   11000 Carcassonne,   Tel: 04 68 20 58 36

More Information, contact:   Fédération Française d'Equitation,   Mme Picard,   Domaine du Grand Robert,   route de Gruissan,   11100 Narbonne,   Tel: 04 68 32 02 07

Riding centre at Mas Constantin in the Camargue. A ranch that caters for all levels of expertise and organises treks into areas of the Camargue that cannot normally be visited. Ten minutes from the Mas is the beach. There are cycles for hire, as well as horses. http://www.frenchconnections.co.uk/accom/1631.html

Riding Vacations. Rides in the Languedoc, from the Luberon to the Camargue, and in the Haut Languedoc.

Horseriding. Ceret. Tel 04 68 87 62 42

Le Cheval N'Arquois. Quiet rides suitable for inexperienced riders around hills of the the Aude département. Based in Arques. +33 (0)468 69 86 65,

Domaine de Blanchefort Cassaignes +33 (0) 462 74 06 42, www.pays-de-couiza.com

Les Chevaliers du Sel Sougraine. Sougraine. +33 (0) 468 69 85 39, leschevaliersdusel@free.fr