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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:
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01 january to 31 march - From 14:00 to 17:00
- Monday - Tuesday -
Wednesday - Thursday -
Friday - Saturday -
14:00 to 17:00
- Sunday - 15:00 to 17:00
- 01 april to 10 november - From 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00
- 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 - From 14:00 to 17:00
- 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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There are thousands of grape varieties contributing to a vast array of different wine styles with each variety having its own distinct flavours and characteristics. Varieties can be made uniquely to make a wine, in whch case the wine is known as a varietal, or collectively with other varities, when the wine is known as a blend. The soils and ‘terroirs’ in the Aude area are very varied, from Schist, Sandstone, Marl, Gravel, Pebbles, Limestone, to Granit and Alluvial soil; thus making many marvelous and different styles of wine. Also in this massive area are many different grape varieties, the reds include Carignon, Cinsault, Granache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The whites, Chardonnay, Granache blanc, Picpoul, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermantino, Mauzac, Chenin and Clairette...
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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
Fax +33 4.68.24.80.11
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montolieuvdlatelier@gmail.com
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www.montolieu-livre.fr |
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Basic rate (Unguided visit):
2.50 €
Adult full rate (Guided tour):
4.00 € |
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Service:
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Enlarge |
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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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An abbey that combines the austerity of the Cistercian tradition with the flamboyance of its sculptures and its romantic setting. It has all the charm and poetry of a garden inspired by the middle ages but placed in what was once a monastic enclosure. It offers a fine example of architecture and sculptures that are typical of southern Languedoc Gothic of the 13th and 14th centuries. In garden, enclosed by living osier fencing, cucumber and squash plants spill over the wickerwork and climb to invade the espaliered peach trees. Marrows and old varieties of tomato form part of the decor. On the rockery, plants grow that were used in the middle ages for their medicinal properties or for dyeing or decorations. Ancient tiles form a border to the flowerbeds. The singing of parakeets mingles with the gentle sounds of the fishpond. This unusual and restful garden is somewhere really unique to visit...
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Restaurant
Le Marque Page |
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La Marque Page, meaning ‘The Bookmark’, is a charming family run 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 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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