Aude

Overview

Key Facts

• Type of place: department.

• Location: along the Mediterranean coast, above the Pyrénées-Orientales.

• Department code: 11.

• Bordering departments: Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales, Tarn.

• Prefecture: Carcassonne.

• Sub-prefectures: Limoux, Narbonne.

• Number of communes: 436.

• Population: 370,260 inhabitants (2017).

• Area: 6,139 km².

• Highest point: Pic de Madrès (2,469 m).

• Lowest point: sea level.

• Coastline: 47 km

• Highlights (out of ★★★★): Nature ★★; Culture ★★; Relaxation-holidays ★★

• Website: http://www.audetourisme.com

History of Aude

Geography and Environment

Culture and Economy

What to See in Aude

• What to See in Occitanie and Aude

Though not necessarily one of France’s best-known departments, Aude offers a wealth of tourist diversity. A coastal strip for beachside pleasures, a ski resort for winter (and many others nearby), a rather pretty countryside where the landscapes of the Massif Central or the Pyrenees begin to emerge depending on the area, and above all, with Carcassonne, a city unlike any other, along with the Cathar Castles that have left their mark on the region’s history.

What to Do in Aude

Climate and Weather

Aude’s climate is Mediterranean along its coastline. Autumn is marked by violent storms, while summers are often hot and dry. Winters, on the other hand, are relatively mild.

Inland, conditions differ somewhat. In the north (Montagne Noire) and south (Pyrenees), the climate is more "mountainous," with temperatures sometimes dropping very low in winter. Toward the west (in the direction of Toulouse), the weather is more temperate. That said, almost everywhere, the wind is very present due to the relief and the northern and southern mountain ranges forming a "corridor." Aude is, in fact, one of France’s windiest departments.

Sea Temperature Throughout the Year

Transportation

Getting There

Getting Around

Accommodation

Food

Additional Information