The drive traversing the mountain between Carcassonne and Mazamet takes in part of the Montagne Noire tourist circuit with many sites of historical interest relating to the Cathars strong influence in the area with the castles in Lastours, the medieval village in Hautpoul and areas of natural beauty and interest such as the caves in Limosis and the giant cavern of Gabrespine.
  
Just one hour away is Albi with it’s famous basilica and cobbled streets with road side restaurants and cafes. Albi is home to the Lautrec museum and the hidden gardens so beautiful whatever the time of year.

Within 20 minutes drive is Castres with its riverside houses and town centre is well know for its rugby team Castres Olympique. The charm of Castres can be found In the streets on the right bank of the Agout and, in particular, the riverside quarter where the old tanners' and weavers' houses overhang the water. The centre is a bustling, businesslike sort of place, with a big morning market on Saturdays on place Jean-Jaurès. The former bishop's palace holds the Hôtel de Ville and Castres' Musée Goya, which is home to the biggest collection of Spanish paintings in France outside the Louvre.
L’archipel water park outside Castres is open to the public in the summer months.
 
Outside Castres is the Sidobre region with its unusual granite rock formations.
Burlats good for picnics and canoe hire.
Canal du midi on outskirts of Carcassonne has kilometers of walking and biking tracks
 
Just 80kms from Toulouse there is a daily train service from Mazamet. |