Make a holiday rental home or cottage in Paraza, France your home away from home

The quaint village of Paraza sits on a hill and overlooks the Aude Valley. Those seeking the perfect destination for a wine tasting holiday in rural France can do little better than Paraza, which lies in the heart of wine country, offering a peaceful setting and majestic views of the many vineyards in the area. Amenities in the village are basic, but the simplicity of life in Paraza is what draws many repeat visitors to the holiday rental houses and cottages dotted across its green landscape.

Things to do in Paraza, France

The most recognisable site in Paraza is the Chateau de Paraza, once the home of Pierre Paul Riquet – the engineer credited for the creation of the Canal du Midi. The Chateau has a number of vineyards on its land, and as a result produces some excellent wines. The Canal du Midi was built in the 18th Century to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and many tourist boats are waiting for those looking for a pleasure cruise along its waters.

Paraza is indeed in the heart of wine country, and a visit to a vineyard or two should be high up on the wish list of every visitor. Some of the main wines of the region are Corbieres, Languedoc and Minevois, and many of these possess the thick, full-bodied taste which local wines are revered for.

Although amenities in the village are basic, Paraza does possess a couple of excellent restaurants. Cheaper, but equally good as meals can be enjoyed at the Cafe du Port, which sits on the banks of the canal, and is a common meeting place for the surprisingly large ex-pat community that resides in the village. The Cafe du Port offers what is describes as ‘slow food’ – meals of subtle tastes and pleasant fragrances to be enjoyed at leisure, whilst taking in the scenery and enjoying a fine glass of local wine at the same time. On a clear day it is even possible to see the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean from the cafes outside seating area.

Places to visit on holiday in Paraza, France

Neighbouring villages such as Roubia (3km) are well worth a visit during your stay in Paraza, and offer more in the way of wine tasting and historic sites. The city of Carcassonne is a 20-minute drive along the Aude Valley, and is famous for its well-preserved city walls, and there are many more towns and villages to see, with the use of a hire car allowing you to take your time and explore this area of vineyards, mountains and rural beauty.

Weather in Paraza, France

The weather in Paraza is some of the best in the country, with long summers and over 300 days of sunshine every year. July and August are the hottest months, when temperatures are often above 30C and ‘keeping the body hydrated’ becomes of particular importance! Winters are extremely mild, with a daily average of 14C.

Flights to Paraza, France

There are a number of airports in the Lezignan-Corbieres region, with perhaps the best option for those heading to Paraza being Carcassonne Salvaza Airport (CCF), which is 44km away and receives flights from across the UK through Ryanair.