Salin de La Palme
5 minA working salt marsh on the lagoon, with tours by small electric train, a marked trail, a local produce shop and flamingos. Open late February to late October.
Explore
For the days without wind
No Tramontane today? Between lagoons, Cathar castles, vineyards and fishing villages, there is plenty to fill the week. Here are our ideas, with the drive time from House of Tram.
Nature and walksCycling and mountain bikingCastles and heritageOysters and wineFamily days and villages
Approximate drive times from House of Tram.
Nature and walks
Lagoons, cliffs and scrubland: plenty to walk or cycle on the days without wind.
Sentier du Guetteur, Cap Leucate
15 minA loop of about 10 km over the Leucate plateau: cliffs, the cape lighthouse, the Haute Franqui fort and views of the sea and Mount Canigou. Beautiful at sunset.
Passerelles de Peyriac-de-Mer
25 minA boardwalk trail over the Bages-Sigean lagoon, between old salt pans and islets. Easy, and great for birdwatching.
Gorges de Galamus
1 h 10A road carved into the cliff above the Agly river, and a hermitage clinging to the rock face. Swimming and canyoning in the gorge in summer.
Cycling and mountain biking
Paths along the lagoons and trails through the scrubland, straight from the house.
La Méditerranée à vélo (EuroVelo 8)
From the doorThe EuroVelo 8 route runs along the La Palme lagoon and its salt pans. South to La Franqui and Leucate; north to Port-la-Nouvelle, then along the Robine canal to Narbonne (about 40 km). Some stretches are stony: bring a hybrid or gravel bike.
VTT dans la garrigue
From the doorBehind the village, tracks and singletrack climb into the scrubland, past vineyards and wind turbines with views over the lagoons, out to the Leucate plateau and the Corbières hills. Ask us for our favourite loops.
Castles and heritage
Cathar castles, a Cistercian abbey and two thousand years of history in Narbonne. Several of our apartments are named after them.
Forteresse de Salses
20 minA late 15th-century Spanish fortress, half buried to withstand cannon fire, on the old border between France and Spain.
Narbonne
25 minThe Roman Via Domitia right in the centre, the Archbishops’ Palace, the unfinished cathedral, the Narbo Via museum and the Robine canal. And Les Halles for lunch.
Abbaye de Fontfroide
30 minA Cistercian abbey hidden in a Corbières valley: cloister, rose garden, stained glass and its own wine estate.
Château de Quéribus
50 minThe last Cathar stronghold, perched at 728 m. On a clear day you can see from the Pyrenees to the sea and the La Palme lagoon.
Château de Peyrepertuse
1 hThe most spectacular of the Cathar castles, stretched along a rocky ridge. Combine it with Quéribus and the Galamus gorge in one day.
Cité de Carcassonne
1 hThe fortified medieval city and its 3 km of ramparts, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Go early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the crowds.
Oysters and wine
La Palme lies within the Fitou appellation, the oldest red wine AOC in Languedoc, and oysters grow in the lagoon next door.
Domaine Les Mille Vignes
Across the streetRight across the street: a small family estate of 11 hectares making Fitou, Rivesaltes and Muscat de Rivesaltes from low yields and old grape varieties. Its wines are poured by top chefs. Call before you drop by.
Domaine Mamaruta
On footIn the village, Marc Castan farms 14 organic hectares, his grandfather’s vines, and turns them into characterful natural wines. Tastings and sales at the estate.
Baraques à huîtres de Leucate
20 minOn the Leucate lagoon, the oyster farmers open their shacks: oysters and mussels straight from the producer, with a glass of white, almost on the water. The best after-session meal.
Gruissan
35 minA circular village around the Barberousse tower, a fishing port, a salt marsh with pink water, and the beach of stilt chalets from the film Betty Blue.
Family days and villages
For the kids, the friends who don’t ride, or just a good day out.
Réserve Africaine de Sigean
15 minA 300-hectare wildlife park on the lagoon: drive through the lion, bear and rhino plains in your own car, then carry on on foot.
Lagrasse
50 minOne of France’s most beautiful villages: a medieval bridge, a market hall, an abbey and swimming in the Orbieu river in summer.
Collioure
1 hThe Catalan harbour that inspired Matisse and Derain: a royal castle, a bell tower rising from the sea, anchovies and Banyuls wine.
Looking for a good address?
A restaurant, a wine cellar, an evening walk: ask us and we will tell you where to go.