Let’s start with the truth, because it makes the visit much more interesting: the Cathar castles were not built by the Cathars. Catharism was a religious movement, without any architectural style of its own. Most of the fortresses you are going to see were built after the crusade, by the King of France, to hold the border with Aragon.
From Le Clos Fleuri, the distances are considerable: Saissac is 26 minutes away, Carcassonne 34 minutes, Lastours 52 minutes, Montségur 1 hour 10 minutes — but Peyrepertuse is 1 hour 53 minutes away and Quéribus 1 hour 54 minutes, making for a round trip of nearly four hours. These articles explain which ones can be visited as day trips and which require an overnight stay.
They also recount what happened just twenty minutes from here: Bram in 1210, the siege of Castelnaudary in 1211, and Prouilhe and Fanjeaux, where Dominic of Guzmán preached against the Cathars before the crusade took a different turn. There’s nothing to visit there. But you’ll be sleeping on it.
Le Clos Fleuri is an independent hotel with a family-friendly atmosphere. We welcome:
Travellers passing through on the Toulouse–Carcassonne route
Our hotel has 32 rooms (please adjust to the exact number), comprising single, double, connecting and premium rooms.
Each room has been designed to offer comfort, tranquillity and practicality.
The Clos Fleuri restaurant is open to hotel guests and visitors from outside the hotel.
It’s a popular spot in Castelnaudary for:
Le Clos Fleuri is a convenient base from which to explore Castelnaudary, the Canal du Midi and the must-see attractions of the Lauragais region. The hotel offers easy access to Carcassonne, Cathar Country and the Montagne Noire, whilst providing comfortable accommodation on site.
Yes. The hotel welcomes both holidaymakers spending a weekend or a holiday in the Aude and business travellers. You can enjoy a pleasant setting, essential services and a straightforward booking process, whatever the length of your stay.
Yes. At the Clos Fleuri restaurant, you can enjoy a meal right there on the premises, in a friendly atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to round off a day spent on the Canal du Midi, a visit to Carcassonne or a trip to the Cathar Country.
Depending on the time of year and the offers available, packages including meals (half-board, overnight stay with dinner, etc.) may be available. It is best to check availability or contact the hotel with a specific enquiry.
Yes. Our team can suggest ideas for walks, must-see attractions and top spots around Castelnaudary, depending on what you’re looking for (family, nature, heritage, food).
