Castles, nature and medieval villages: visit Corbières!
Whether you like culture, history, nature, or a good glass of wine, the Corbières region in the France Occitanie region has something for everyone! Get in your motorhome and drive past vast vineyards, Cathar castles and a beautifully varied landscape. In this article, we give you some tips for places not to miss when visiting this region. Bon voyage !
Minerve
Start your motorhome trip in the medieval village belonging to one of the most beautiful towns in France, Minerve. Perched on a rock, this village is surrounded by the gorges of the Cesse and Brain rivers. Minerve is not only a great place for wine lovers and hikers, but also for history buffs! Indeed, you will find here, among other things, an impressive medieval Cathar fortress. You will also find ruins of the city walls and in summer, when the rivers are dry, you can go into the caves.
- Minerve: one of the most beautiful villages in France!
Lagrasse
Drive on to the picturesque village of Lagrasse, which lies against the river Orbieu and is the cultural capital of Corbières. In this village, you'll find medieval, narrow streets. So you can't drive through here with your motorhome. Make sure you follow the signs to the parking; from the parking you'll be in the village in no time.
Wander through the streets of Lagrasse at your leisure and visit the characteristic market hall in the market square. Don't forget to admire the 14th-century church too. Maison du Patrimoine is also worth a visit! Indeed, here you will find beautifully painted ceilings. Afterwards, sit down at a café for a coffee or a glass of wine, as you are guaranteed to find some in this wine region! Not a wine lover or looking for a different tasting experience? Then visit Cyril Codina in this village. At this vinegar maker, you will find out how vinegar is made, and you can do a vinegar tasting.
You can also choose to visit the abbey of Sainte-Marie l'Orbieu, which is a little further away. This abbey was founded by Charlemagne and is one of the most beautiful abbeys in the area. The abbey is run by the canons of Lagrasse and can still be visited by tourists. Join a guided tour to learn all about this abbey.
Park your motorhome at Parking de la Promenade, P2. From this motorhome stopover, you'll be in the centre of Lagrasse in no time.
- Visit the abbey of Sainte-Marie l'Orbieu and discover the abbey!
Château de Villerouge-Termenès
This castle, which served as a stronghold during the Cathar Crusades, is remarkably well preserved and is the landmark of Villerouge-Termenès. This village, like the others in this article, is intertwined with Cathar history. Indeed, this is where the "last" Cathars were burned at the stake. If you want to visit this castle, take your time! With an audio guide, you'll learn all about its history. Want to experience real castle life? Then make sure you grab a bite to eat at the medieval rotisserie near the castle. Here you will find dishes from the 13th and 14th centuries, medieval furniture, and crockery.
Also visit Esprits de garrigue, this is a real French farm shop where you can buy the tastiest local produce
With your motorhome, you can spend the night at the free motorhome stopover Félins-Termenès. Did you spend the night here? If so, don't forget to leave a review.
Please note: these attractions are only open from 1 April! Find more information about this village via Office de tourisme Corbières Minervois.
- Make sure you take the time to visit this chateau! ©CCRLCM
Gorges de Galamus
Gorges de Galamus offers unparalleled natural splendour! Located in a beautiful gorge, carved by the Agly River, this village is framed by steep rock walls that are up to 300 metres high in some places. The force of the river has also carved out caves in this gorge. In one of the many caves, you will find the famous Ermitage Saint-Antoine de Galamus. This hermitage has been used since the 14th century and hermits lived here until 1950. Today, it is still a traditional place for pilgrimages on Easter Monday and Whit Monday. A must-see if you go to this village!
Want to do something adventurous? Then Gorges de Galamus is the right place for that too! You can go canyoning here. Through waterfalls, rocks, and water basins, you will follow a course by swimming, sliding, or jumping off rocks.
Note: the roads can be very narrow in some places, making it unsuitable to go here with your motorhome. Therefore, choose to explore this village on foot via hiking trails or get into a canoe and explore the village by water!
Nearby, you can stay overnight at Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse. From this camperstop you can also easily visit our next tip in Cucugnan.
- Discover Gorges de Galamus while walking! ©Vincent Photographie
Château de Quéribus at Cucugnan
This castle, perched on a rock at an altitude of 700 metres and one of the last strongholds of the Cathars, should not be missing from your list when you go to the Corbières region. From the nearest parking, you can easily visit the Château de Quéribus. During your walk up, you can already enjoy the view, which is truly magnificent. But be sure to walk beyond the foot of the ruins, because on top of the castle's big tower you will find a platform from where you can look around in 360 degrees. So don't forget to bring your camera!
- Enjoy the view you have from the castle! ©Vincent Photographie
Narbonne
This city is one of the oldest cities in France. Its historic centre is full of old buildings! One of the most famous is perhaps the Palace of the Archbishop. You will recognise the building by its square towers, which were built in the Middle Ages. Be sure to climb these towers because from there you have a great view over the city! The palace used to be the archbishop’s residence, but nowadays it houses an archaeological museum, among other things. Close to this palace you will also find the Via Domitia, a very special road! In fact, this is one of the oldest Roman roads in France and was an important connecting route between France, Spain, and Italy. Archaeologists have excavated part of this road, as a tourist you can walk along this stretch and experience how the Romans lived! Feeling hungry after discovering these sights? Then visit the covered market Les Halles, where you can sample local delicacies. From cheese to olives and, of course, the wines of Corbières - as far as we are concerned, the perfect end to your motorhome tour of the Corbières region!
In Narbonne itself there is no motorhome stopover, but about a 15-minute drive away you'll find motorhome stopover Vinassan and about a 20-minute drive away you'll find motorhome stopover Peyriac-de-Mer.
- Climb the towers of the archbishop's palace and enjoy the view!
Do you always select a motorhome stopover based on reviews? Then be sure to share your experiences with fellow motorhomers by writing reviews in the Camperstop-App or on Camperstop.com.
Motorhome route through Montenegro: the undiscovered pearl of Europe!
Those thinking of a motorhome-trip full of nature, culture and ultimate relaxation will not immediately think of Montenegro. Yet this undiscovered pearl of Europe is a fantastic destination to travel to with your motorhome. This small country in the Balkans has a lot to offer; from national parks with deep canyons and high mountain peaks to cosy harbour villages and delicious local food, you can find it all! Read on quickly to find out how to experience this country from its best side!
Travelling to Montenegro
Montenegro is a small country in the Balkans, located on the Adriatic Sea. For some motorhome owners, this can be a very long route, crossing several countries. With so many kilometres ahead, it is therefore recommended to divide the journey in several parts. In Germany, Austria and Croatia, among others, there are plenty of opportunities to spend a few days as a stopover. After all, it is still a holiday.
It is also useful to consider the weather. Located by the sea, the lower regions of Montenegro have a Mediterranean climate, but the uphill you go, the cooler it can get. During spring and summer, it is therefore pleasant, but bring a sweater or jacket just to be sure! In addition, pay attention to your internet usage, as Montenegro is not one of the countries included in a standard internet subscription. Hence, before entering the country, turn off your internet/5G. You can, however, use Wi-Fi.
Stop 1: Kotor
The first stop on this motorhome-trip is the town of Kotor. When you drive from Croatia along the coast to Montenegro, this place is almost the first you will come across. With a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Kotor should be on your Montenegro bucket list! Located in the Bay of Kotor, this town is surrounded by water on one side and a high mountain wall on the other. In the old town, called Stari Grad, you can see history on every street corner and get lost while strolling through the narrow alleys. Both large and smaller, mostly Orthodox, churches add a religious touch to the city, but the most impressive and striking is Kotor's Roman Catholic Cathedral. At the local market just outside the city walls you can see, taste, and buy the most delicious local snacks, very appetising souvenirs to enjoy in your motorhome in the evening.
From Kotor, you can plan several excursions in the surrounding area. For example, visit the village of Perast, with its white houses, beautiful location on the Bay of Kotor and church tower rising above the orange rooftops. Be sure to leave in time, as the car parks can get very crowded! Would you like to relax by the turquoise water? Then visit Galebova stijena, a small, quiet, and undiscovered beach where the whole family can have fun!
Near Kotor, you can stay the night at motorhome stopovers Naluka in Morinj or Zlokovic in Bijela. With its location in a bay, Kotor is easily accessible for cruise ships. Before your visit, check if any cruise ships arrive, as it can get very crowded in the old town!
- The small village of Perast is a must-see if you go to Montenegro!
Stop 2: Bar
From Kotor, there is a direct route to Bar, the next stop on the motorhome-trip. However, the town of Cetinje is also recommended, but especially the road there is an adventure not to be missed! The famous Kotor Serpentine will take you through the natural beauty of Lovćen National Park and with its 25 hairpin bends it is a challenge, but definitely doable with a motorhome! Make a stop at one of the lovely restaurants along the way and enjoy the views over the Bay of Kotor. Once you arrive in Cetinje, get ready for an afternoon of cultural exploration. This city is also called Montenegro's museum city and, as the former capital, still has an important spiritual influence on Montenegrins. Do you prefer to spend the afternoon outside? You'll also discover more of Montenegro's history in the town’s cosy streets.
From Cetinje, it is about an hour and a half's drive to Bar, the country's main port city. After the earthquake in 1979, much of the old town was destroyed and therefore the population moved more towards the sea. Today, this old part is called Stari Bar (literally: the old Bar) and several buildings have been restored. Stroll through the streets and past the ruins and enjoy the view from the old citadel. In the new Bar, you will find the imposing Church of John Vladimir. Built in the last 20 years, this church looks modern on the outside, but inside, a particularly colourful play of art awaits you. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Bar.
Near Bar, you can visit Auto Kamp Utjeha in Utjeha-Bušat with a wonderful view of the sea.
- Be sure to make a stop at Lovćen National Park and enjoy the views!
Stop 3: Lake Skadar
A visit to Montenegro is not complete without having taken a boat trip on Lake Skadar. Several boat tours are offered on the largest lake in the Balkans, starting from different locations. Do you want to experience the splendour of the lake at peace? Then hop into a wooden boat early in the morning and discover the lake, with its surrounding mountains and stunning views, in all its glory. Are you visiting the lake in summer? Then the countless water lilies are sprawling on the water in full blossom! Along the lake, drive along one breathtaking panoramic roads to the Pavlova Strana Viewpoint, from where you have the best view of the famous Horseshoe Bend. Here, one end of Lake Skadar twists around a mountain peak in a hairpin bend, a treat for the eye!
The area around Lake Skadar is also known as Montenegro's wine region. Like the rest of the country, the wines are not very well known yet, but that is exactly what makes it fun to make a stop at a vineyard during a tour around the lake! Tip: many family-run wineries produce wine for local sale and will welcome you with open arms and lots of enthusiasm, so be sure to pay attention to the signs along the road that direct you to these establishments.
Near Lake Skadar, overnight at Autocamp Campus in Goričani.
- Lake Skadar is full of lilies and is beautiful to see!
Stop 4: Biogradska Gora National Park
Time to put on the hiking boots, take the mountain bike or toss out the rowing paddles! From Lake Skadar, you'll drive in about two and a half hours to Biogradska Gora National Park, one of Europe's last remaining rainforests. Here you will find something for everyone: relaxing walks, challenging hikes, bird-watching possibilities, mountain bike routes and various water activities. Walk around Lake Biogradsko Jezero, have fun on one of the many mountain bike trails or rent a rowing boat and explore the national park from the water. With a huge variety of flora and fauna, there is a lot to discover. Always keep your eyes and ears open to spot the most unusual birds, butterflies and even wolves and bears!
Spend the night close to the national park at Autocamp Scepanovic in Mojkovac or Kamp Eco Oaza in Dobrilovina. Would you like to spend the night surrounded by nature and wake up to the sound of the birds? That is possible at Camp Lipovo. You can also have a delicious meal here, so be sure to do so!
- From Camp Lipovo, you can visit Biogradska Gora National Park!
Stop 5: Durmitor National Park
The last stop on the motorhome-trip is another nature reserve, Durmitor National Park. In about two and a half hours you will drive to this beautiful piece of untouched nature. The village of Žabljak is considered the gateway to the national park and various tours are organised from here. However, you can also easily set off on your own! In forty minutes from the village you can walk to Crno jezero, the Black Lake, one of the park's so-called mountain eyes or glacial lakes. Around the lake you can take a nice hike or bike ride, or rent a rowboat and explore the area from the water! Don't forget to bring your camera to take the best pictures! The most famous and most worth visiting spot in the national park is the Tara River Canyon, the deepest gorge in Europe and therefore the European sister of the Grand Canyon. Do you like sensation and adventure? Then brave the river on a rafting trip! With steep mountain walls rising to 1300 metres above you, everything suddenly seems very small, but it is certainly an experience to remember! Do you prefer to stay on the waterfront? Then there are several hiking trails in the area, from where you can admire the gorge from above.
As the highest municipality in Montenegro, at an altitude of 1452 metres, Žabljak is also worth a visit. It is not large, but you can find several restaurants, supermarkets, and shops. A recommended place to taste the local cuisine is at Restaurant Or'O, but make sure you make a reservation in advance! In the surroundings of Žabljak, animals, such as cows and sheep, often roam loose. Therefore, be careful when driving in or out of the centre, as they will cross the road before you know it!
In the area around Durmitor National Park, stay overnight at motorhome stopovers Auto camp Kod Boce in Žabljak or Miro Tara-Regata in Rasova.
- During your walk, also take a seat on a bench to enjoy the view!
Tijd om je spullen te pakken en naar Montenegro te rijden! Wil je meer van de prachtige Balkanlanden ontdekken? Een bezoek aan Montenegro gaat perfect samen met andere landen in de regio, zoals Slovenië en Kroatië. Lees snel verder op de bestemmingspagina's om meer te weten te komen over deze landen!
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Camperstop Europe - motorhome guide
(Detailed) information about thousands of motorhome stopovers throughout Europe, including travel & routing tips!