Minerve
Near to Beziers lies the village of MINERVE one of many Cathar towns. The road winds up the valley from the direction of Beziers, first climbing steeply then falling into the town of Aigues-Vives, that lies alongside the River Cesse. A river that disappears underground, in the heat of summer. Its banks become sharp and defined as we go by La Caunette, tucked under a cliff. Minerve a village perched on the cliff tops over the meeting point of two rivers, the Cessiere and the Brian, where they tunnel through deep gorges. Minerve and its inhabitants were involved in a massacre inflicted by Simon de Montfort during the crusades against the Cathars in France in 1210 With the backing of the Pope, and employing men hungry for loot and blood, Simon de Montfort laid siege, to the impregnable fortress village. And to speed things along, he attacked St Rustique's well, the principal water source for the village, that is found at the base of the village. Four catapults were set up around the village, three towards the city gates and the fourth - the largest named "Malevoisine" (Bad neighbour) to destroy the well.

The village was well protected with double surrounding walls, and overhanging ledges, but this did not stop the fear that Simon de Montfort instilled. Viscount Guilhem of Minerve knew that the 200 men of his garrison couldn't resist the onslaught, if the gates were breached, and St Rustique's well destroyed.
He negotiated the town's surrender and saved the villagers, but the 140 Parfaits who had taken refuge in the village, refused to deny their faith and were burnt at the stake. The burning of the parfaits was a terrible act that was to be repeated for another 34 years until the fall of the Cathar stronghold at Montsegur.
Little is left of the fortress, except for the "candela" - a single slender octagonal tower. The village is a maze of narrow alleys, topped by a simple 12th century church. Around and about the village are wonderful walks that test one's agility. Walks that skirt edges of cliffs, with drops to the churning waters below. The river Cessiere tunnels under a hill next to the village, and one can often walk through when the river dries during the summer months. The natural bridges provide the ideal background to grand spectacles of Son et Lumière in the Summer months.
THE MAGIC ROAD

Between the villages of Minerve and Siren, and set in some interesting but inhospitable countryside is a section of road known to locals as “Le Route Magique”. This section of road has to be seen, to be believed, and then you have to ask the question, is it true? - a phenomenon that shouldn’t be missed if you are in the area.

The Corbieres & Pyrenees

The Corbieres are an extension of the Pyrenees and connect them to the Cevennes Mountains. The highest point is 1231 m. The Corbieres are well wooded, with wild gorges and majestic mountains, and there are many hidden villages. You will find many gorges and one of the best known is the Gorge de Galamus, a short gorge but with extremely steep sides where the road in places has been cut into the side of the cliffs.

There are vast areas of vineyards in this region, producing fruity wines rich in alcohol. The best wines coming from around the villages of Tuchan, and Lezignan Corbieres There are many remains of the Cathar wars in this region with some of the most inhospitable castles nearer to the Pyrenees.
On arrival at the Pyrenean end of the Corbieres you will find many fruit farms. Because of the mild climate these provide the first crops of fruit in France. If you decide to turn right in the direction of Andorra you will pass through the town of Prades, famous for its classical concerts and opera. This is almost the Glyndebourne of France.

Mount Canigou

Mt Canigou, at 3000m, can be seen towering over the countryside in all directions at the southern end of the Pyrenees. The peak is snow covered
for most of the year.
There are special excursions by 4 wheel drive vehicles to its summit. The route is difficult and the ascent is arduous, and requires a whole day. On a clear day the views from its peak are superb. The peak has been the sight of many sporting feats including an ascent by bicycle in 1901, and horseback in 1907 when a police lieutenant rode to the summit without setting foot on the ground.
The Little Yellow Train
Nearby is the walled town of Villfranche le Conflent. This is the start point for the little yellow train that winds its way up to Le Tour de Carol. This train runs throughout the year, but its greatest use is by tourists. The train consists of closed and open carriages, running on narrow gauge track.
Be warned that the temptation to travel in the open carriages is high during the summer months, but remember the sun, in the clear Pyreneen air can burn severely, and there are no connections between the carriages to enable you to escape the sun once the train is in motion
 The Litle Yellow train is an extension of the regular Perpignan railway linking Villefranche les Bains to Latour de Carol.
On June 9, 1883, a convention called for the building of this line,and
The building started in 1903. The fist section of the line, from Villefranche to Mont Louis, was opened on July, 2nd, 1910,AND at the end of June 1911, the line reached Bourg Madame. The last section to La Tour, was finished in August 1927 and established a link with the Transpyrénéen line to Spain.

The 63 km (about 40 miles) length of railway is the highest in France.
Bolquère Eune is the highest station with an altitude of 1592 meters. Over 30 km (about 18 miles) of the track is above 1165 meters with slopes of 60 mm/m (approximately 2 feet per yard).
The whole length of the line is picturesque but irregular. It required the construction of 650 civil engineering works of all kinds, including the driving of 19 tunnels, the erection of 2 bridges.
The Séjourné Viaduct which is entirely in granite, is 65 meters high (60 yards), 230 meters long (250 yards) and is composed of a main arch of 30 meters wide, supporting 16 smaller arches in the Gothic style, above the Têt River.

The Gisclard bridge, built between 1905 and 1908, was considered at the time, to be a technical inovation.
It has a central span of 156 m between two piers and two half spans of 39 m. Its deck has a slope of 6% and is 80 m high. The 32 m high piers support pylons of 30 m. At the top of the pylons are fixed retaining cables. Theses cables are in turn fixed into the mountain. It was the first bridge of a new generation that solved the load bearing problems the railways were having.
Albert GISCLARD, a mathematician and engineer born in Nîmes, was the designer of this new concept. Unfortunately he was killed on October 31st, 1909 during an official test ride across the bridge. His train was not yet equipped with the electric braking system, chosen for this line. The train carrying him ran out of control, and plunged 450 meters to the rocky mountains below.
Since this tragedy, no other incidents have occurred.
To travel on the Little Yellow Train is a wonderful experience.
You will enjoy a fascinating trip, taking you through changing landscapes, from luxurious greenery to steep rocky valleys  passing near to Mount Canigou, Cambre d'Aze, Carlit, Puigmal and the Serra del Cadí. You will discover the sumptuous scenic beauty of this region of France.  
Mont Louis
Continuing further up the Pyrenees, in the direction of Andorra we come to another walled town, Mont Louis. Constructed by Vauban these fortresses were built against Spanish invasions

Because of exceptional weather, and clarity of its air  the only scientific solar industry in Europe is situated in this area. Solar furnaces can be visited in Mont-Louis and Font-Romeu. From a distance the solar oven appears to be a huge satellite parabole made up of mirrors. Rays of the sun are focussed to a central point, and this gives a temperature higher, than that, generated by a nuclear bomb. It has been used extensively in the heat testing of parts for the space program.

This area is a protected region with an exceptional environment.
Ecology is an important public concern in this area. The mix of  Mediterranean climate and altitude, provides a landscape rich in flora and fauna, that offers a wide base of interest for all tastes. Nearby, many locations have sulphurous hot springs, where you can enjoy the pleasure of an outdoor spa even in the coldest periods, and are advantageous to people with breathing problems.

Mont Louis marks the start of the skiing areas of the Pyrenees and here you will see some of the many ski runs and lifts. For lovers of hikeing and winter sports. The "Neiges Catalanes" is a skiing area with nine ski resorts and 160  pistes. A large number of cross-country tracks, representing over 200 Km, are open during the season.
All year round, mountain guides organize hiking on one or several days.

Mont Louis is also the main barracks of the French Parachute regiment