le site cathare de minerve

We visited in October, it was quiet and not much open but we didn't go there for shopping. The scenery and the gorges were fantastic. Make sure you walk all the way through the tunnel by the viaduct and a little further on you will find a 2nd tunnel. Well worth a trip especially out of season.

I should begin this by saying that we visited Minerve on a weekday in October so perhaps the town is a bit livelier during the high season. It is a picturesque village set in a remote area in the Languedoc region in France. Allow an hour to drive there from Carcassonne. The town is built onto a cliff between forks in the gorge of the river. All cars must park above the town (pay lot) and you must walk down into the town. Remember, you must also walk back up to the parking lot at the end of your visit! It does have a number of gift shops with local artists peddling their wares. There were a few restaurants but most seemed to be closed for the season. I would say that, if there are more major attractions in this area that might be closer to where you are staying, do those first and save Minerve for if you have extra time at the end of your vacation.

you must go and also hike down the canyon to truly feel the whole city. it is a gem to discover. Prenez votre temps et savourer tous les moments a la cite.

Just a short drive from where we are staying in Olonzac is the historic town of Minerve. After listening to these two shows on the Cathars on CBC's Ideas, I have been intrigued with this region.http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2011/05/04/amor-v-roma-part-1/ http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2011/05/05/amor-vs-roma-part-2/Minerve was the location where the first mass burning of heretics occurred. The history of the Cathars are interesting and their challenges to the doctrine of the church still relevant today (as we can see with the issues of fundamentalist Islam at this point). This was a grand trip out, unexpectedly rich and well worth it.If you want the full experience, be prepared to walk about 6-8 km and lots of steps. Sturdy shoes required. And if you have the time, stop for lunch and sample the delicious local Grenache wine.As for parking, carefully follow the instructions on the machine - they are very confusing. If you do not get a receipt after paying, rescan again.

A delightful little town with challenging walks either along the gorges or along the river bed. Excellent Tourist information offering helpful advice about suitable walks

Small city Minerve has its own unique charm and river with incredible gorges around the city makes this place unforgettable. it is really beautiful and tasty! there are very good shops for local wine! it is super tasty. also there are good restaurants with Michelin stars! so, you have all in one: to see&visit cit, Cathar cite', plus river gorges, you have choice to eat well, to drink, to buy souvenirs or local food/wine/lavanda... and to make lots of photos!

Have been to this place 3 times and each time I find or see something different. Took the kids for the first time and parked at the parking around the back side for 3 Euros. We walked through the town, down to the natural bridge and had a picnic on the other side. A good little hike. For those wanting more you can hike up to the other side or through the river bottom for a ways. First time we've been through the place in season and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to caters for most wants I imagine. Out of season it is a literal ghost town which is OK too if you want to feel like you are exploring the place on your own.This place is rich with history and things to do and see. I recommend it.

This is an old Cathar cite that was sacked by those helpful English storm troopers fighting in the name of religion. Oh not recently, a long while ago. They even welcome English tourists.The Cite is a small town that sits atop a peninsula between 2 river gorges that run dry in the summer. There is a very ancient church. You can visit that by paying to go into the natural history museum. On the opposite side of the gorge is a replica trebuchet and if you are feeling very fit you can walk down one side and back up the other to view it close up. It is a bit hair raising to walk down to the bottom of the gorge and look back up at how the cliff face is undercut with house right on the edge. Finally there is a very small Cathar museum that is well worth a visit plus there a number of pleasant cafe around the town.

We have been to Minerve several times over the years. (designated as "one of the most beautiful villages in France) As one drives along the windy roads towards the village from either direction, it is truly impressive to see this charming village perched on top of the rock surrounded by the gorges of the river, Cesse, and up above, to see the vineyards that surround. The tragic history of Minerve and also of the whole region, is very interesting to read about. One can find out that not much has changed in 900 years.One used to be able to park in the small lot by the bridge but I think it was too small... so they built a larger one down the road (with bathrooms.) it is 3 euros for the day but sometimes they don't charge. Park and follow the path down to the village, and get a great view. It is steep but well paved. If one has a disability, I guess one could be dropped off at the bridge. But, the few streets of the tiny village are quite steep and cobblestoned or up and down stairs, so one would still have to deal with that, in any case.As mentioned, the village is tiny. There are a few shops which seem to come and go over the years.. I believe there is one nice restaurant (with views from the balcony), and a small hotel and some "Gites." it would probably be fabulous to spend a few days or more, renting there and exploring the region.One shop that seems to have managed well is the bookstore/coffee shop. The Orange Pressé is delicious. There are also a couple of wine tasting places.There are a few designated hikes around here, which can be found online. This last trip, we walked down to the gorge (on the other side of the village) and through the tunnel. Not scary since you can always see the light on the other side. From the gorge/river bed, you can get some impressive photos. The river flows during some seasons and depends on rainfall. But we've never seen water during the summer.The river bed continues on and through a smaller tunnel and keeps going. It is not a designated hike but you can't get lost because you are following the river bed with steep walls on both sides. We saw several other couples coming and going--- and we also saw people picnicking in the gorge and on the other side of the tunnel. We hiked along the very rocky river bed for 1 1/2 hours which was a bit hard on the feet, only wearing running shoes. But it was really cool... And we picked blackberries, and FIGS which were scrumptious. We highly recommend going to Minerve.

Beautiful Minerve, filled with tragic history. It is advertised as one of the most beautiful villages in France. I will not disagree. The approach roads over and through the valleys are stunning, the location at the fork of two rivers is enchanting and the relatively new bridge (1902) all make for a dramatic entrance to the little town. The narrow streets twist, rise and fall. The medieval mangonel overlooking the village adds an eerie tone to the place, reminder of the awful past. The little shops and restaurants are delightful and generally avoid fleecing the tourists. Lovely place.

The history books are filed with the brutal acts of religion wars. Here you can get the feeling how it all happend. To think of all the lives lost on this beautiful site because of some idiotic idea that one religion is superior to the other. But did we learn our lessons? See what the world tolerates in the Middle East and other places! Walk the streets and have an eye for the details craftsmen did carve in the stone buildings and on the arched bridge. Also enjoy the walk on the dry riverbed and trough the natural bridge. Look at the wildlife and the flowers, smell all the aromas which fill the air! At last some advise! Follow the instructions to the letter at the parking place for getting an out-ride ticket!

Minerve is absolutely beautiful, no question. The approach is a bit strange, as visitors have to bypass the bridge that leads directly into town in order to travel a roundabout couple of kilometres to the car park. The car park is fairly spacious and costs a reasonable 3 Euros fixed price for parking. From the car park you have to walk a few hundred yards to the village - downhill on the way into the village and uphill on the way back - but nothing that a reasonably fit person should have a problem with. If you have mobility issues, however, as does my husband, then this presents a difficulty. A shuttle from the car park to the village proper would solve the problem - something to think about, please.The village is well deserving of its "one of the most beautiful villages in France" label, not just because of the buildings that make up the village but also because of the amazing scenery in which it sits. The history, too, is an important part of the whole. Minerve was one of the Cathar strongholds at the time that Simon de Montfort was tasked with wiping out these people. It is worth doing a little homework on wikipedia before coming here; you won't regret it. There are, of course, shops and restaurants, as well as the ability to taste and buy wine from the Minervois. We did not eat in Minerve, but we did but some wine and some lovely, colourful local pottery. Go in the warm months, when the village is lively. My contacts tell me that, in common with many places in southern France, it is dead in the winter.

Spent a few days in a nearby Gite. This is a very historic site and you really should know something of the history here. Very spectacular setting. The Village is interesting but a lot of touristy stuff going on there. I suppose it is inevitable. I recommend a visit though and be sure to visit the superb book shop - most books in French but some real gems there - and to have a relaxing - and very reasonably priced coffee there. A couple of good restaurants worth a visit - Relais Chantovent is superb. Walk around and soak in the history. It would be fantastic if they would restore the old castle. You could do the whole thing in just 1 day really.

Mienerve is a smaller, quieter but much more beautiful version of Carcasonne. The views across the countryside from the top of the citadel are amazing. There is also a "natural bridge" in the town which is a sight that shouldn't be missed if you are in the area.There is a lovely little shop in the town selling paintings, jewellery and natural stone/mineral nik naks. The owners are a wonderfully cute couple who produce the art work themselves.A wonderful place to visit.

Firstly, the drive up to Minerve is lovely with some good view over the gorges. Minerve itself is served by a new car park that has toilet facilities and is situated a short walk up a hill. The views of Minerve from the car park seem to entice many artists to try their hand at painting it. Minerve is a quaint village and does invoke a feeling that not much has changed over the centuries. There are a few restaurants and craft shops but generally it's enough to stroll through the streets and admire the views. We didn't walk down to the gorge, but there is a set of stairs that allow you to get down to the river bed (which was well dried up when we were there in June).This is a lovely place to while away a few hours and I would thoroughly recommend it.