Corbières (mountains)

The Corbières ( Catalan: les Corberes; Occitan: Corbièras ) are a natural spatial unit within the Languedoc -Roussillon.

Geography

The sparsely populated Corbières is located in the department of Pyrenees- Orientales and Aude. They extend from the Cap Leucate, the Mediterranean coast, and the Etang de Leucate up to 130 miles inland, where the Corbières the Pyrenees and the Pays de Sault are cut off from the Aude river. To the south the mountains bordering on the aglycon, to the north of the Aude; most important river in the Corbières is the Orbieu.

The highest point of the Corbières, Pic de Bugarach of (1230 m) is located about 20 km ( air line) east of Quillan; to the Mediterranean, the terrain drops off more and more - the mountain peaks reach heights of only about 400 meters. Most places are located in 150 to 300 meters.

The Corbières maritimes are in Corbières, Corbières interieures (also called Hautes Corbières ) and Corbières atlantiques divided. The Montagne d' Alaric in Carcassonne is also expected to be the Corbières. The geographical differentiation of the Corbières is based largely on physical- geographical criteria, and especially climate- geographical and topographical features are essential. For example, the Corbières maritimes are representing the Ostabfall the Corbières to the Mediterranean or in the Etang de Leucate, equated with the thermo- Mediterranean vegetation belt.

Botany

The Corbières are very strongly influenced by the Viticulture ( monoculture ). In recent years, the wine actually declined, so many vineyards lie fallow and renature slowly. Due to the relatively dry and windy Mediterranean climate that prevails here, reforestation broom is predominantly by holm oaks, etc., so the typical garrigue plants. Larger contiguous forest areas, such as in south-western France, is not here.

Parts of the area are located in the Regional Natural Park Narbonnaise en Méditerranée.

Agriculture and Viticulture

In the valleys and in the foothills of the Corbières can also be operated farming. Viticulture, apiculture and sheep farming are the main agricultural products of the Corbières. The Corbières share in the following AOC wine -growing regions:

• Fitou
• Corbières
• Rivesaltes
• Maury

Prehistory

Near Tautavel there is the cave of Arago ( la Caune de l' Arago ), an internationally renowned fossil site, which also bones of Homo erectus have been excavated. In addition, neolithic buildings (Find dolmens and menhirs ) of Mediterranean megalithic cultures.

History

For a long time was the barren mountains of the Corbières away from the story. Only as a place for skirmish between Franks and Saracens as well as a retreat for world refugees ( monks and Cathars ) it seemed to suck. The 13th century saw renewed clashes between the French crown ( Louis IX. ) And the Kingdom of Aragon. In the Treaty of the Pyrenees of 1659, the Roussillon and thus the Corbières fell finally to France.

Important cities and settlements

• Aude department: Lézignan -Corbières, Portel -des- Corbières, Lagrasse, Leucate, Durban -Corbières, Tuchan, Sigean, Port-la -Nouvelle.
• Department Pyrénées -Orientales: Salses- le -Château, Tautavel, Maury.

Attractions

Megalithic

In the Corbières, there are several dolmens and menhirs dating back to the megalithic cultures (see links).

Churches and monasteries

• Former Cistercian Abbey of Sainte -Marie de Fontfroide
• Former Benedictine Abbey of Sainte -Marie de Lagrasse
• Former Priory St- Martin Saint-Martin -des- Puits
• Chapelle Saint -Laurent de Moussan
• The Gorges de Galamus with the Hermitage of Saint -Antoine
• The Ermitage Saint -Victor at Fontjoncouse

Fortifications

• Ruins of the Château de Queribus
• Ruins of the Château de peyrepertuse
• Ruins of Castle Termes
• Ruins of Castle Durfort
• Ruins of the castle Durban
• Ruins of Castle Padern
• Ruins of Castle Aguilar
• Castle Ville -Termenès
• Castle of Arques
• Fort Salses