or Caunes Minervois (25

or Caunes Minervois (25 minutes northeastof Carcassonne), a medieval town famous formarble, and it’s surprisingly cosmopolitan: ahigh percentage of residents have chosen torelocate here from overseas.To get the most from your buying budget, lookinland away from the coast and the most populartowns, perhaps heading toward the BlackMountains, where the weather’s a little cooler,and the properties are a little bit more rustic.Key townsThe medieval town of Carcassonne (pop.48,000) is one of the country’s most populartourist destinations, welcoming around 2.5million visitors each year. Its star attractionis the medieval town itself, which is utterlyphotogenic and free to visit: explore its 3kmof ramparts and admire its 52 separate towersas you browse the shops within the walls.Running right through the heart of the lowertown which is also fabulous, is the famousCanal du Midi, originally built in the 1600s toconnect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.Hire a pleasure boat to navigate the canal orstroll or cycle alongside, enjoying the scenery.Forty minutes west, Castelnaudary (pop.10,000) claims that this is where engineer,Pierre Paul Riquet, first came up with a planto create the Canal. The town also claims tobe the capital of the dish cassoulet, but hasplenty more to offer: a charming port, clustersof terracotta rooftops and an avenue ofbicentennial plane trees.If you prefer the coast, Narbonne (pop.51,000) is about an hour south, in theheart of a Regional Nature Park betweenMontpellier and Perpignan. One of thewealthiest Roman colonies outside Italy,Narbonne has a wealth of architecturefrom this period, including the Via Domitiacobblestones leading from the main square,while the Narbo Via museum houses morethan 6,000 artefacts and wall paintings.Thirty minutes west of Narbonne is Lézignan-Corbières (pop. 11,000), capital of Corbièreswine country. The town has developed over thecenturies around its Gothic-style church, Saint-Félix, which dates from the 1200s, although achurch has been here since 800 AD. Also inthe centre is an old wine estate, Maison Gibert,where you can see the original cellar as well asthe workers’ quarters and stables.Particular to the areaInland, Lagrasse was officially recognised asone the most beautiful villages in France, andyou’ll immediately see why. Centred aroundthe stunning Sainte-Marie Abbey, Lagrasseis home to cobbled streets, artisans and thepicturesque River Orbieu. It’s also possible totake a freshwater swim either in the river orThinking about relocating to France butuncertain about what you need to know?Our free live webinars provide direct access to ourteam of experts who can address all your questions about thevisa application process, French residency requirements, navigatingFrench bureaucracy, and more aspects of moving to France.Sign up for our upcoming sessions.www.fabfrenchinsurance.com126 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 127