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Espéraza, once the capital of French millinery, invites you to visit its museum of Millinery, reconstruction of a small factory, with machinery from local factories, allowing you to discover this knowledge that was developed in the Upper Valley Aude and was a real golden age for economic de-industrialized the region today.
The museum Hat wants the testimony of those halcyon days, you can discover all the steps that turn a few hundred grams of wool felt hats...
Our museum has managed to reconstruct the whole chain production of wool felting to the gilding of lace which will dress the cap, through dyeing, the crowd, forming... |
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Specialities
The museum and the association "Friends of the Museum of the Hat" are happy to welcome you, thanks to its dynamic team, concerned above all else to make you share his passion for the art of hat that was once rich this friendly village Aude.
Wealth that is also not quite part of ancient history, fabrication shops still remaining, notament "The Hats of France" to Montazels, whose works are offered for sale in the shop near entry.
To complement your visit, the Museum invites you Chapellerie Espéraza in his shop, located at the entrance of the museum. You can then leave with the head covering for you...
The hats are sold in the shop for some of them the only plant that survived the deindustrialization of the Upper Aude Valley. This factory (Chapeaux de France) is based in Montazels, Espéraza's adjoining village.
Hats off to these resistant workers!
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Opening Musée de la Chapellerie - Espéraza:
- The museum opens its doors throughout the year (except Christmas and New Year's Day)
- From January to June and from September to December: 10:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:30
- July and August:
From 10.00 to 19.00 without interruption
Equipments and Services: |
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* Parking
* Projection room
* Shop
* Pedagogical visits
* Unguided individual visits |
* Groups accepted
* Individual guided tours
* Group guided tours
* Unguided group visits
* Disabled reception |
Rennes-le-Château
Carnaval in Limoux, "Los Fecos"
Musée des Dinosaures d’Espéraza - Espéraza
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Limoux is best known for its sparkling wine, Blanquette de Limoux. This is reputed to be the oldest sparkling wine in France and dates back to 1531 when Benedictine monks from Saint Hilaire Abbey discovered that the wine they had laid down had fermented and formed bubbles. This was the beginning of Limoux’s bubbly - the Blanquette de Limoux which was the first AOC to be created in the Languedoc area. The process (the locals say) was stolen by Dom Perignon who went on to create ‘champagne‘. however the Limoux sparkling wine is a very high quality champagne substitute and Crémant, which was developed in 1990, has a top class reputation. Now a prestigious event attracting buyers from all over the world, “Toques & Clochers” puts up for auction the most promising barrels of AOC Limoux. A share of the proceeds are then used to finance the renovation of bell towers in surrounding villages. Every year the auction is hosted by one of France’s great chefs popularly referred to as a “Toques”, the traditional white chef’s hat....
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History tells us that Blanquette de Limoux, the world's first sparkling wine,
dates as far back as 1531. At the time, the monks of the Benedictine abbey of
Saint-Hilaire, near Limoux, were producing a somewhat unusual white wine in
their cellars. Inside its glass flask, with a cork top - very rare for wines at
this time - it acquired a natural sparkle. This was the forefather of the brut
which is tasted today at the world's most prestigious tables. Since they first
started cultivating vines, the growers of Limoux have aimed at maintaining the
originality of the Blanquette de Limoux growth and developing its quality. The
region's surrounding hills protect it from the extremes of the Mediterranean and
Atlantic climates, with the area enjoying a microclimate particularly suitable
for making quality white wine. The vines classified in the appellation are
always planted at the top of southern-facing slopes, giving the best exposure.
The soil here is shallow and sparse, full of chalk and stone....
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This restaurant is nestled at the foot of Rennes le Chateau and bathes the mystery of Abbé Saunière. They offer all their passions with gourmet foods, a mixture of authentic cuisine and local gourmet cuisine. Actually like the Chef! ! Alain Ibert-Jorge . Rich in the kitchen of these origins, it also acquired its gourmet cuisine during his many years in Paris. It is not uncommon in Veronique and Franck , the seafood gratin lobster sauce Béarnaise Garbure borders on the space of a weekend on their slates suggestions. But do not forget what has served as an alibi the decoration of this place "a Savoyard chalet" the inevitable "specialties Savoyarde" squeegees , tartiflettes , melted and reblochonnade....
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Abbaye Sainte-Marie d'Alet (more commonly known as the Abbey of Alet les Bains), is situated between the Aude river and the Pyrenees mountains in the heart of Cathar country. The abbey is considered by some to be the most beautiful ruin in France. To see: Resplendent in its mountainside setting, the ruined abbey is characterized by warm colors that soak up the sun. Of the original abbey, remains of two towers can still be seen, St. Michael's Tower (north) and Notre-Dame Tower (south). The small chancel is well-preserved. The pillar capitals are ornately decorated with vegetation and geometric patterns....
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In the heart of the Cathar castles and the beginnings of the Pyrenees, between Blanquette & Corbieres, we have a wonderful little restaurant with an honest, fine cuisine in the country. Situated in the square if the Village of Rouvenac between Esperaza and Chalabre. It has a good reputation with locals for consistent quality and first class ingredients. All the meat is organic and there are imaginative vegetarian options. A moment to relax with family and friends at the Auberge du Faby in Rouvenac. An unforgettable culinary expirience with all the flavors and charm of the Haute Vallée awaits you...
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30 km away from Carcassonne, the world’s most beautiful medieval city, nestled in the heart of the Cathars country with its castles, you will be greeted at a charming hotel, once the site of an ancient bishop’s palace.The Hostellerie de l’Eveche, with its 30 comfortable rooms, sits on a park of three hectares. Neighboring our rooms, you will enjoy the ruins of the roman abbey, with the Aude River running alongside. L’Hostellerie de l’Eveche will also provide you with a large variety of "rural" gourmet products ("produits du terroir"), mostly homemade on our family estate. You will have the opportunity to savour those products from our range of standard to gourmet’s menus...
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Hostellerie
de
Rennes les Bains |
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Hostellerie de Rennes les Bains situated in Cathar Country. Enjoy your stay at this welcoming, comfortable and very peaceful hotel. The hotel has 6 rooms and 1 suite available, all rooms have private WC, and bathrooms with shower/bath. Adapted for handicapped guests (lift available). The Restaurant provides excellent service and cooking. Rennes les Bains is a spa resort of Roman origins, made famous by Blanche de Castille. Visit the archaeology museum, with objects and remains from the Roman baths (2nd and 3rd centuries)...
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Château des Ducs
de Joyeuses |
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This listed 16th century chateau is located on extensive grounds on the banks of the River Aude. The ancient fortress-turned-hotel subtly blends medieval tradition with modern confort - and it has an excellent restaurant too (it is important that you reserve a table in advance). The house was built by Jean de Joyeuse, first Governor of Narbonne and Lieutenant General in Languedoc, between 1540 and 1550, and his son, Guillaume III assumed the job of completing this magnificant chateau after he died. With a beautiful courtyard where one can dine in the summer months, the castle is a very special place to stay. With a swimming pool and tennis court, the hotel is a perfect base to combine relaxation with good food. Close to Cathares and 30 km to Carcassonne, there many cathedrals and historic monuments to visit. The Chateau does not have an elevator, so if you have a problem with stairs this may not be the best choice for you....
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