Talairan

Talairan is a small village of only a few hundred people in Aude, a Department of Languedoc-Rousillon in France. Talairan is set in the heartland of the wine-growing Corbieres district.

Understand
The area has been inhabited since ancient times, originally by the Gallic tribe, with the closest large town Narbonne having been settled in the first century BC by the Romans. The Corbieres region has, since then, been famous for its olive plantations and vineyards, and Talairan is a typical village in the area in that respect. Sheep farming and iron mining have also produced work over the years in Talairan and the immediate surroundings.

The natives call the scrubland on the hills surrounding the town La Garrigue and it is famous for its honey, lavender and rosemary. Truffles can also be dug out from the soil in the oak plantations just out of town. This environment makes for a good ramble and there are a number of signposted walks for day hikers.

Summer is the peak time of year for Talairan and all the villages in the area. One by one, each village takes its turn to host a "fete", which is a kind of street party with live bands, entertainment, food and drink. Talairan also holds an annual "feria" in July, which is a town festival featuring horse-riding, cattle-herding and plenty of wine, food and song.

In autumn and winter "chasseurs" (hunters) hunt for small game, deer and boar on the hillsides of the La Garrigue. The meat is often used to make a local specialty, a type of fermented sausage.

By plane
Ryanair flies into Carcassonne (Salvaza Airport) several times a day. From there travel on the autoroute by car towards Lezignan-Corbieres. Hire cars can be arranged at Salvaza Airport.

By car
Exit the A61 Autoroute (Peage) at Lezignan-Corbieres and follow the signs for Fabrezan and Saint Laurent de la Cabrerisse. Talairan is approximately 20 km from the exit.

Get around
Hire a car or a bicycle to explore Talairan and the villages in the area.

Do

 * Visit nearby Saint Pierres des Champs, or Saint Laurent de la Cabrerisse to go swimming in the river.
 * Take a day hike to the Gourg-Gouttonier.
 * Take a day trip to the beautiful walled city of Carcassonne.
 * Get involved in the weekly petanque competition at La Talariane.
 * Take a tour of one of the working wineries.
 * Visit La Cave Cooperatif for local specialty products.
 * Take a day trip to the Mediterranean to soak up some sun.

Buy
Wine! Of course. Visit the cellar doors at the following wineries: Or, perhaps visit the local Mielerie to buy some local honey. For more local products try the Cave Cooperative behind the bar.

Sleep

 * Château Ventenac, 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom 19th-century holiday house accommodates 16 people (ideally 12 adults + 4 children), new cooking facilities, WiFi.
 * Domaine Louis Degrave, 7, avenue du Grand Bassin