Campagne-Sur-Aude: Templar Fort, Promenade and Fossils

Campagne-Sur-Aude combines traces of history with a landscape along the Aude and a distinctive paleontological focus. If you are looking for a hotel, consider which themes matter most for your trip: the Templar site, the Bellevue fossil site, hiking options, or regional produce. For practical planning, the duration of activities, seasonal market dates, and reservations for a cellar tour are also relevant.

The Aude, Vineyards and Local History

The Aude borders Campagne-Sur-Aude and formed the village's original historical boundaries. The village also lies on the river's shady banks, among slopes covered in vines. The river and vineyards therefore come together as distinct features of the landscape; the Aude also served as a historical boundary. When getting to know the area, it is worth distinguishing between these two roles of the river: it is part of both the landscape described here and the village's early history.

Templar Fort and Former Fortifications

Campagne-Sur-Aude is home to a circular Templar fort, dominated by a keep. The church dedicated to Saint Sébastien was the former place of worship for the Templar site. Its architecture, keep, and former religious function offer different ways to explore the history of the complex. A circular promenade follows the site of the former moat, which has since been filled in. This is a different historical trace from the fort itself: here, the point of reference is the site of the former moat, while there it is the Templar site with its keep and church. Anyone interested in local history can consider these architectural and landscape features as two distinct aspects.

Bellevue Fossil Site

The Bellevue excavation site is one of France's richest fossil deposits. Remains of turtles, crocodiles, and other animals and plants have been found there. This focus differs considerably from the medieval history of the Templar site: Bellevue is centered on fossils and finds from the animal and plant worlds. If you are planning your stay around particular themes, the site therefore offers a distinct natural-history focus alongside the fort, church, and moat.

Walks, Hikes and Bivouacs

For 2026, Cathar Rando offers walks as well as half-day and full-day hikes. The options differ in duration, so you can decide whether a walk, a half-day hike, or a full day's hiking fits your plans. Cathar Rando also supports bivouac stays and sections of the Sentier Cathare. The company rents essential equipment, including tents and mattresses, and offers luggage transport on the Sentier Cathare. When planning, you can consider equipment and luggage transport separately: the rental includes items such as tents and mattresses, while the transport service covers luggage along the route.

Producers' Market and Cellar Tour

The gourmet producers' market in the village center takes place on Tuesday evening during the week of July 14 and on Tuesday evening during the week of August 15. Products on offer include poultry, veal and mutton, jams, and fruit. Check the dates before your trip if the market is important to your plans. This allows you to take both seasonal time slots into account.

Maison Salasar offers guided cellar tours in Campagne-Sur-Aude by reservation, at a price of 10 euros per person. Be sure to make a reservation. The market and cellar tour differ both in timing and in how they work: the market takes place during specific weeks, while the cellar tour requires a reservation.

Discover more destinations: Bages, Peyriac-Minervois, Comus, Gincla, Pomas, Sainte-Colombe-Sur-l'hers, Laurac, Tourouzelle.

For the wider travel overview: Aude.