9am to 2pm

Sparkling Wine PickUp & LUNCH in Limoux - Reservation Only

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Our shuttle bus will pick us up at my place at 9 for 9:15 departure - Waiting at my favourite "blanquette" and "cremate" cave Guinot, will be either it's owner or his son or daughter to give us the 30-45 minute tour ... It is down a flight of stairs, so I haven't gone on it before, so let's see what happens.

 

Afterwards, back up in their tasting room - a small tasting and opportunity for you to purchase, and we will be picking up all the cases for the party on Saturday.  They have a range of sparkling, white, rose, reds, and dessert wines, plus Eau de Vie, and a teeny tiny selection of local nibbles and treats - such as Violette candies.

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Following the tasting we will head just out of the town to a special estate lunch before we are driven back to Belesta.

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AFTERNOON

Spend the afternoon meandering our little village, or surrounding areas (Montsegur? Fontestorbes? Mountain hike or bike?) or sleeping (me, likely will be).... until...

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7:30PM Reservation (Leave Belesta at 7:15/Sunset 8:40)

Dinner at Dorival in Puivert - Reservation Only

We will be watching the sunset over the chateau of Puivert (picture above) from this exceptional little restaurant run by a couple who winters in Brazil, where they are from. (The restaurant is named after a famous Brazilian musician). I've been going each year since they opened and the fine dining experience gets more elegant each year.

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Side Note: our cousin Craig Pruess (living in the Cotswolds in UK, and most excellent composer of soundtracks for films such as Bend It Like Beckham) recorded parts of the Magdalene Codes in Puivert! Here is one of the tracks on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTPkQXdqwbU

Morning Market in Foix - ends at 1:30

Pictured here. I like to leave by 11, which gives about 2 hours there. Those who wish to leave earlier to spend more time there, are welcome to, and it might be easier to find parking. On the way back from the Market, we will stop for lunch at the house of Ariege's most haute cuisine.

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Lunch at Loustalet in Bastide Sur L'Hers - Reservation Only​

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Optional Activities for afternoon:

Afternoon Drive to La Fontaine de Fontestorbes to walk in the Cave, and drive/small hike to Montsegur, stop at Roman drinking fountain to fill your bottles...

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In the afternoon/early evening the small Brocante (flea market) is OPEN. He calls it this, but it not small or lousy. It's a multi-floor, triple-wide building in Belesta... He is only open twice a week because the rest of the time he is driving all over the region finding amazing little treasures. It is definitely worth a pop in. It's halfway between my house and the Palais Cathare.

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Dinner 7PM

In the trees, right out of town, and across the road from Fontestorbes - K'Bane Restaurant offers a more relaxed menu - no Menu Prix Fixe - but we will need a reservation.

3-6PM Nibbles, Champagne & Cake (but mostly Champagne & Cake) Celebration of all who made it! And a Birthday...

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6-7:30 - rest, repose, or maybe music and dancing - who knows??

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7:30PM Dinner at Palais Cathare - Reservation Only

OPTIONS, Weather Dependent: Drive to Montsegur (the last stronghold of the Cathars), or Hike with my Uncle Salvador in the Pyrenees (not for the faint of heart), or put up your feet and rest, or Walk-N-Roll around the outer village fields along the river with Bella to work off some calories... 

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Dinner TBD - 

My Favorite: The Mirepoix Market - from which came the name of the Mirepoix Mix, a fundamental flavor in French Cuisine. We will stroll the Market from about 10:30am - then stay for Lunch. We can take the scenic drive home past Chalabres, and Lac Montbel. 

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Prepare to pick up food for your dinner at the Market, or the shop in Chalabres, the Carrefour Grocery in Belesta, or eat at Palais Cathare. Monday dinner out can be very hard to find.

MORNING MARKET is right in Belesta. Small, but some sweet little items to grab - usually some bakes goods - as well, the boulangerie is right there.

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On this departure day - for those of you heading East - I highly recommend a stop at Carcassonne and/or along the Mediterranean at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where Mary Magdalene was thought to arrive by boat from Palestine.

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For those heading Southeast - ask me about a hotel and friends to visit in Collioure in the very Southern French Mediterranean, and in Altea, south of Valencia, Spain -

 

In General, ask me if you need any other ideas for an extended stay in Europe. I love this triangle of the world!