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The Museum of Palaeontology and Prehistory is a private collection. This is the result of the passion of an amateur who has been fortunate to benefit from the complicity of his wife and towards the end of his professional life, could expose a part of his collection.
You are new or school: you will discover the world of fossils and of prehistory.
You are a collector: Ability to identify your fossils using samples of the various collections representing almost all the stages and groups.
Are you a teacher, head of a cultural, elected: Possibility to organize school activities on various topics, conferences...
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Specialities
More than a showcase of the museum in Villeneuve-Minervois, this site is invaluable for your determinations. Thus you will find: - an album of the main fossils of the Aude, but also from France (currently over 750 specimens). - a help in the determination.
- a service exchange of specimens.
- service newsletters keeping you regularly informed of the news site and the museum.
- a support forum (response museum curator).
- a book that you can use to give us your impressions (no response is given, use the forum for questions).
But also to see - a catalog of some exceptional specimens.
- a small virtual tour.
Language(s):
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Opening Musée de Paléontologie de Villeneuve-Minervois:
- 01 january to 31 december - The museum opens by appointment only
Equipments and Services: |
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* Public Parking * Shop * Pedagogical visits * Unguided group visits |
* Groups accepted * Unguided individual visits * Library reception |

Palet de Roland dolmen at Villeneuve Minervois

Moulin de Pech Rouzaud ou de Benazeth

The Châteaux de Lastours
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The Minervois is one of the most ancient vineyards of the Mediterranean region. Indeed, its land was chosen by the Romans as providing ideal conditions for the first vines they planted in Languedoc Roussillon. Its name comes from the ancient city of Minerve, a stronghold built by the Romans and dedicated to the goddess Minerva. Since that time, many amphora shards and vestiges of cellars have been discovered, testimony to the importance of this vineyard. The region, austere in winter and redolent with sunshine in summer, has survived over the centuries its invasions by barbarians, Arabs and Christians. The essence of Minervois la Livinière, as in so many Midi appellations, is the blend; a marriage of different grape varieties that adds subtle nuance of flavour to the whole. Natural alcohol level must reach a minimum of 12% without enrichment (so no chaptalisation) and maximum yield is a modest 45 hl/ha. Ageing may be in barrel or vat, and unlike basic Minervois, the wine must be bottled at source, so cannot be sent off to a négociant elsewhere in France...
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Randonnée Les Quatre
Châteaux de Lastours |
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This little walk of an hour is suitable for the whole family. The path leads along the four castles and the Belvedere with its beautiful views. Walk is doable and marked and starts in Lastours.
In the heart of the Montagne Noire, 15 km from Carcassonne formed four medieval castles the castle of Cabaret. The site is strategically located on the road from Narbonne to Spain. The castles have been included since 1905 in the list of Historical Monuments. The oldest known remains date back to the Bronze Age, around 1500 BC. In a cave has been found the grave of a girl nicknamed "Princess with the necklace". Her body was covered with objects including amber beads and jewelery from the Mycenaean and Egyptian art. Since the Middle Ages, Lastours is an exceptional property which is built at 300 meters altitude, on top of a rocky promontory. For the Crusades against the Cathars, there were three castles on the site of Lastours (Cabaret, Surdespine and Querthinheux), but under a different form than what they look like now...
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Maison de la Truffe Villeneuve-Minervois |
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In Villeneuve Minervois is born the first and only fraternity Languedoc, dedicated to the truffle, the fungus also known by gourmets "Black Gold". Thus, the Maison de la Truffe was born in this village in the Minervois. Installed on 300 square meters, it has 4 themed rooms that lead the public to the discovery of the truffle.... The truffle markets of Villeneuve Minervois: In December, January and February as markets are held, full harvest period of the nose. It is then that its flavors are more intense and the most delicious truffles...
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Auberge de Clamoux, a small inn that serves a fine three-course weekday menu at 13€. Go ahead and try the salad with gesiers (duck gizzards, a regional favorite) or sample the offering of charcouterie (hams, sausages, etc). The main course is generally meat, duck or salmon, and the desserts are impressive. One lunch time here, the main dining room had been converted to a huge table seating several dozen French men and women in their 70s and 80s, plowing through huge platters of food and liters and liters of wine. Every meal in France is a celebration. Count on at least an hour and a half...
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Campsite le Moulin de Sainte Anne |
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Just a few years ago le Moulin Sainte Anne was a vineyard but, with much hard work by Antoine and Magali Laclive and the backing of the Mairie, there is now a flourishing campsite on the edge of the town. There are 45 level grass pitches of a good size and hedged. All have water and electricity and are terraced where necessary and landscaped with growing trees and shrubs. The facilities are modern, well kept and in keeping with the area. They include a heated pool and a very attractive entertainment area. There is close co-operation with the village and villagers are welcome to the evening entertainment...
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Aventures Parc -
Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine |
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Unique!
For the cave addicts, an acrobatic course located at the foot of the great hall of the Gouffre Giant Cabrespine. View the cliff of the 80-meter-high iron staircase, before you enter the big discovery line, to reach the zipline of fear of heights and you will reach an acrobatic bridge 40 meters above the void on the pearl platform. After a visit to the sanctuary of bats, a Nepalese bridge will allow you to dominate the bottom of the large hall of the Gouffre. For the bravest of you, try the ultimate experience with the zipline of hell and jump 90 m above the vacuum to reach the great petrified waterfall with a total height of 120m. The lower part of the Gouffre Giant of Cabrespine is home to nearly 25 km of galleries, much of which is traversed by a majestic underground river also called the secret river. A new exploration formula called "Rivière Souterraine" will allow you to follow the trail of first explorers...
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Welcome to « la Demeure du Pareur », a substantial 18th century house which was completely renovated during 2008. Great care has been taken to preserve the original character of the house and we hope that our visitors will enjoy the calm and cool rooms with their classic décor...
La Demeure du Pareur offers so much more than just overnight accommodation. Guests are welcome to explore the garden and solarium. The terrace is used for breakfast when appropriate and for quiet evenings there is a well stocked library and board games. In addition there is free WIFI and toys for the children...
Villeneuve Minervois is in the heart of Languedoc with it’s long history and tradition of wine making.
We hope that like us, you will be charmed by the area and return to it time and again...
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The history of Grotte de Limousis goes back to the mists
of time. It was a shelter under the rock used by both prehistoric men and Cave
Bears. It has always been a refuge for men. Fancy a bit of freshness? We invite
you to discover the cave Limousis, 20 kilometers northeast of Carcassonne and
penetrate into the bowels of the earth. Discovered in 1811, the cave, carved by
a river has been electrified and fitted in 1935. However, it was modernized in
1973 to its current appearance. The eighth and final room contains a unique
mineral formation, a chandelier of aragonite to 4 meters high and 10 meters in
circumference, a real treasure...
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