Montolieu, Saissac and Revel guide

Visitez Saissac: gites : hotels : location des voitures | Decouvrir Languedoc

West from Carcassonne, Montolieu and Saissac are in western Languedoc, and Revel is slightly further west, across the border into the Haute-Garonne Department (Midi-Pyrenees region)

When you have tired of the medieval magnificence of Carcassonne, you could head west for a bit of tranquility. The towns of Montolieu, Saissac and Revel all deserve a visit and are along the same road.

Montolieu is a small, pretty village, which prides itself as being a 'village of books and graphic arts', and is a good place to browse through old books - there are perhaps 15 bokshops in the village, as well as a museum on the subject, and the possibility to learn about bookbinding. Stop anyway, even if you aren't interested in books, just for an amble around the village, in an attractive setting on a rocky outcrop between two rivers.

At Saissac the highlight is undoubtedly the chateau, in its fine wooded setting. The Chateau de Saissac is a cathar castle with good views across the Carcassone plains and dating from the 10th century. A significant part of the chateau has been restored in recent years and is now open to the public.

Moving on to Revel, a 14th century bastide town, the original central market hall is still intact (most aren't - see Villereal in Lot and Garonne for another good example), and with a belfry on top. Revel is seen at its best on market day, Saturday. Close to Revel you can also visit Saint-Ferréol - the main reservoir of the Canal du Midi (a UNESCO world heritage site)

Revel and Saissac: tourisme, carte, guide de voyage et gites