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Just 17 kilometres north-west of Carcassonne, perched on a rocky outcrop between the Dure and Alzeau gorges stands Montolieu, village of books.
For the past 20 years, all year round, its second-hand and antiquarian bookshops have been welcoming visitors who are keen readers and book lovers.
The
Museum of Book Arts and Crafts is open throughout the year and offers a fascinating journey through the history of books, from the earliest writing and developments in writing media, right down to the invention of printing. |
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Specialities
Entering Montolieu, the magic begins.
Surrounded on three sides by rivers and the forth by a chateau built in 1146, it is much like falling into a French “Brigadoon”, a whimsical mountain top hide-away with a population of 800, completely isolated from the twenty first century.
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Opening Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre:
- 01 january to 31 march
- Monday - Tuesday -
Wednesday - Thursday -
Friday - Saturday -
14:00 to 17:00
- Sunday - 15:00 to 17:00
- 01 april to 10
november
- Monday - Tuesday -
Wednesday - Thursday -
Friday - 10:00 to 12:00 / 14:00 to 18:00
- Saturday -
14:00 to 18:00
- Sunday - 15:00 to 18:00
- 11 november to 31
december
- Monday - Tuesday -
Wednesday - Thursday -
Friday - Saturday -
14:00 to 17:00
- Sunday - 15:00 to 17:00
Equipments and Services: |
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* Parking
* Groups accepted
* Shop
* Pedagogical visits
* Group guided tours |
* Groups accepted
* Individual guided tours
* Unguided individual visits
* Disabled reception |
Montolieu, the famous book and graphical arts village
The Châteaux de Lastours
Le Moulin à Papier de Brousses
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The Cabardès region is situated to the west of Languedoc and to the south of the central massif, a geologist's dream, balanced between east and west, the sun and the coolness, the heathland and the mountain. It is here that the winds cross. They bring the intense mediterranean heat necessary for southern "cépages" (grape types) such as syrah and grenache, and the cool atlantic humidity for the ocean "cépages": merlot, cabernet-sauvignon, cabernet-franc, cot and fer-servadou, to prosper. The vineyards and wines of Cabardès have been recognized as AOC since february 1999. The quality of the grapes, the wine-making, the blending of the "cépages" and the keeping of the wines has allowed us to obtain the best balance between fruit and structure, fullness and complexity, intensity and elegance. Cabardès assembles 30 châteaux and domaines over 500 productive hectares spread amongst 18 villages. 20000 hectolitres are produced each year,of which 60% are exported....
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The Château de Saissac is a ruined Cathar castle in the southernmost tip of the commune of Saissac in the Aude département in the north-west of Carcassonne, France. It was once the residence of the powerful vassal family of Trencavel. Today the ruins are protected as official historical monuments of France.
Saissac is mentioned in a legal document (an Acte) from the Abbey of Montolieu
in 958, and again in a text of 960. The village is typical of the Black
Mountains and is built between the ravines of the rivers Aiguebelle and
Vernassonne, just above their confluence. Things to see in the village include
the porte d'Autan, a lavoire built in granite, a second covered lavoire and a
fine echauguette. Vestiges of the city walls (enceinte) are still visible around
the ancient village. These walls date from the Fourteenth century, the same
period that the castle of Saissac was restored...
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Musée des Arts et
Métiers du Livre |
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Leisure - Museum |
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39 Rue de la Mairie
11170 MONTOLIEU |
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Phone +33 4.68.24.80.04
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montolieuvdlatelier@gmail.com
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www.montolieu-livre.fr |
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Basic rate (Unguided visit):
3.50 €
Adult full rate (Guided tour):
5.00 € |
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Service:
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The campsite provides an excellent base for touring the Aude in a picturesque setting at the foot of the "Mont des Oliviers". You can enjoy a tranquil, peaceful holiday or simply spend a couple of nights, as a stop over, relaxing as you travel through the famous wine region of the Languedoc. Situated 15km from the World Heritage City of Carcassonne, with its Medieval Castle and just 90 km from the "Pink" City of Toulouse, 80 km from the Mediterranean and 100 km from the Pyrenees, the campsite "Camping de Montolieu" offers 47 emplacements for Caravans, Tents and Motor homes as well as Mobile-Homes for rental...
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Les Anges au Plafond (literally: the Angels on the
Ceiling... when you visit us, you'll see why) offers both a Restaurant / Tea
Room and a Bed & Breakfast in a charming 19th century house in the heart of
Montolieu, Village du Livre (Booktown). We are recommended by the Guide du
Routard 2007/08 and by the Petit Fûté. Montolieu is located in the South of
France, in the 'Aude', 17 km North-West of Carcassonne, 1 hour East of Toulouse,
1 hour West of the Mediterannean sea...
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A Montolieu book town and Art village near Carcassonne ...
In an old linen factory, Apostrophe welcomes you in the great mansion:
Relaxation lounges, bar lounge, patio, terraces, gardens with trails for
exploring the history of the place but also ... a glass blower, the largest
bookstore Montolieu and the Book Workshop where children and adults learn to
make and print a book. An outstanding site full of history or to live and
relax...
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Casquette et Chapeau is a charming restaurant in the heart of Montolieu, le village du livre.
It is typical of many such restaurants in villages across France, looking unremarkable and unexciting until you sample what it has to offer. Situated in a small square opposite the church, the best tables for lunch are outside under the shade of the plane trees, but the interior is also airy and welcoming.
Service is as it should be, neither too fast nor too slow, and with just the right amount of attention.
Remarkably, for France, customers without a reservation were welcomed at 2.00pm without fuss, which makes this restaurant even more exceptional than most...
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Cactuseraie
d'Escaïre Figue |
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Whether you're an experienced collector, a beginner or just someone who is curious, you will find in the Aude region a place that is quite unique. The setting is exceptional and here nature is still carefully preserved. Here, growing in pots or directly in the ground is a cactus trail; most of them are planted outside, throughout the year in flowerbeds. There are about 2,000 varieties to discover. (Group tours available by prior arrangement.) Sales of plants, garden design advice, etc. It's a unique chance to come and explore a world of little-known shapes and colours....
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A few km from the City of Carcassonne & the Canal du Midi, two sites classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, the cottage "Au fil de l'eau", a charming cottage from the 17th century and completely renovated welcomes you in a enchanting setting! Located at the front door of Montolieu, a typical book village & by the river, this character cottage is composed of a living / dining room with fireplace and convertible sofa, a fully equipped kitchen with a stone vault and a large picture window on a 30m2 sunny terrace with a magnificent view of the river and the garden. This area is perfect for day trips to the Cathar Castles and picturesque villages. For trips to the coast, a wildlife park, the medieval citadel of Carcassonne, or one of the famous caves. For strolls along gentle becks, waterfalls or the calm Canal du Midi with its locks. For a day of leisure at one of the mountain lakes or for mountainbiking or horseback trips...
Afin, ...too much to mention...
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Maison de Mallast is a beautiful old house in the center of Montolieu, the "book village", close to historic Carcassonne. Restaurant, bed & breakfast rooms and a gite with two bedrooms.
In the center of Montolieu, this restaurant offers different dining environments depending on the season. In good weather, guests can dine in the peaceful walled garden or on the terrace next to the charismatic 13th-century house. In winter, the comfortable dining room provides a warm environment for couples or groups. Choose from French or world cuisine, such as traditional duck breast, an exotic Asian curry or a popular British specialty. Children are welcome and vegetarians are also catered for. The wine list offers only wines from the Occitanie region...
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