Population - 310,000   (1,067,000)

Area - 6,139 km²   (1,663)

Population density - 51  (642)

(comparative figs - Surrey UK)

Towns with over 3,000 people

Carcassonne   43,950

Castelnaudary   10,851

Coursan   5,241

Cuxac-d'Aude   4,272

Gruissan   3,061

Lezignan-Corbieres   8,266

Limoux   9,411

Narbonne   48,510

Port-la-Nouvelle   4,859

Quillan   3,542

Sigean   4,049

Trebes   5,495

What is it really like for holidays in the Aude

Carcassonne is a place all unto itself

Purists will argue that it is not all original - locals will tell you most is not original - but as a view and a feel of a walled medieval city it has to be seen - inside is one pretty big restaurant and shop subdivided into separate businesses

Corbiere country is limestone - craggy - and quite quite beautiful - it acts like south west France and feels like the mediterranean

Must visit places

Carcassonne - a castle to be seen

Narbonne - hot - old roman - modern south of France

The Coast - hot sandy expansive beaches

Corbieres - for its wine and Cathar country

Fitou - for its wine and the coast

Main town

Carcassonne

675 miles - 10 hours - from Calais

Aude Holidays - b&b

Aude Holidays - cottages

Aude Holidays - tourist info