The Village of Chalabre
Chalabre is a commune in the Aude department in southern France in the Languedoc Rousillion wine region. It is a relatively unspoiled bastide (a fortified village or town in France) with shady streets and quaint alleyways. As an active agricultural town with an increasing focus on art and culture, it hosts various festivals including the week-long music festival, Chalabre en Serenade, in August. The famous Tour de France is never far away, and on occasion, even comes through the village.
The Lac de Montbel, a 550 hectare lake replete with water sports and swimming, is just a 5 minute drive from Chalabre and brings a steady stream of visitors.
The local land is rich and verdant with fruit growing throughout the seasons. With three rivers forming a confluence through Chalabre, the climate is more amenable than the dry, hotter weather one finds as you approach the coast.
Château Terre Blanche is uniquely placed within the village, with all of its amenities in walking distance. There are two cafes with terraces, two butchers, a bakery and grocery stores which have a great selection of locally sourced fruit and vegetables. There is also a cash distributor (ATM), a full-service bank and a large pharmacy.
There is a restaurant at the Hotel de France, which serves local dishes for lunch and dinner. The village has a small Saturday morning market in the old central market place where you will find fresh locally produced products.
Nearby, you’ll find two other larger markets with fresh produce and local goods in Esperaza on Sunday mornings and Mirepoix on Mondays throughout the year. Other facilities in the village include two brand new tennis courts and dedicated walking paths.
Local activities nearby include water sports, sailing, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, mountaineering, canyoning, caving and hiking.
