Published in French News in April 2005

All That Razz

 

The Razès, south west of Carcassonne, is a quiet backwater of vineyards, hills, steeply sloping fields and deserted narrow roads. The locals stare in amazement, surprised to see visitors. It’s calm, relaxed and off the beaten track. Yet, just up the road, Limoux is one of the most attractive and livliest towns in the south west and the spectacular, medieval fortress of Carcassonne is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France. The Mediterranean and the ski station at Camurac are about an hour from Limoux.

The vineyards of the Razès start off AOC Blanquette de Limoux and become Côte de la Malpère. Blanquette is the local champagne, the first ever champagne-type wine in fact developed by Benedictine monks at the abbey of St Hilaire. Villages are surrounded by the vineyards. Many of them are circular in development, called circulades. One of these is Alaigne, an ancient village with tight streets lined with compact village houses, turning about the round central place. There are also a couple of medieval gates. Outside the gates are some bigger properties with land.

The house prices in this area are very reasonable. There is a village house 80m2, two bedrooms and garage, requiring renovation, for 42 000 euros. A small village house, 50m2 total, requiring complete renovation, is being sold for 20 200 euros. On the other hand there is a magnificent maison de maître, 220m2, with 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 WC and a pool for 594 000 euros.

If you like the idea of living in the Aude near to the vineyards and Mediterranean, but are looking for somewhere quiet and authentic the Razès is a good choice. It is also near the slopes and during the winter there is the carnival at Limoux, held every weekend from January to Easter, the longest carnival in France.

Linda Rano, Couleurs de France

Property agents Couleurs de France offer property search in the SW and support for buyers.

Tel. 05 61 09 54 39

info@couleurs-de-france.com

www.couleurs-de-france.com