User:RICHARDCHARMAN42

Village: Souilhe, South West France, Aude 11400. Department: Aude

Region:Languedoc Rousillion

Location:

Souilhe is a small village in the Aude.

Souilhe is approximately 7 kilometres from Castelnaudary, the nearest major town and capital of the Lauragais.

Castelnaudary is famous for its own brand of Cassoulet (made from Toulouse Sausage, confit of pork and duck and white beans) and the presence of the famed French Foreign Legion.

In addition, Castelnaudary hosts a magnificent firework display around the basin on the 13th July each year.

Souilhe is 55 minutes drive from Toulouse Airport (Blagnac), and 35 minutes drive from Carcassonne Airport which is close to the beautiful medieval city of Carcassonne.

Views to the South and West of the village over the Fresquel valley are stunning, especially with the snow capped peaks of the Pyrenees in the distance.

The Pyrenees appear like a mirage - stunningly beautiful one day with the sun shinning on their snow capped peaks and completely obscurred by cloud the rest of the time. The mountains are only about an hour and a half drive away.

Community: Set in the beautiful rich rural countryside of South West France, the village has around 300 inhabitants.

The land is rich and fertile. Crop rotation is practised and major crops are grown each year on the land. Most common crops are sunflowers, barley, corn on the cob, onions, asparagus and woad.

Wine is also a major product of the region, if not of Souilhe. Indeed the region (Languedoc Rousillion) is the largest producer of wine in France.

The Mayor of Souilhe, Domonique Simenou, has regular meetings with the inhabitants of the village.

There is a thriving community whose activities focus both on the village hall and on the square in the Place de Marrioniers which used to be the court yard of the 13th Chateau.

The inhabitants of the village take great pride in making their village attractive, quiet and relaxing. They have an increasingly successful local football team.

The village has its own 'Horse Fete' in September each year.

At Easter there was a tradition of the villagers all going out in horse and carts for a picnic.

The village has a boulangerie, a hair dresser and a 13th century chateau fort.

The village is also visited each week by a mobile butcher who sounds his horn to let everyone know he has arrived.

Another weekly visiter is brings kitchen and cleaning items for sale. Foie Grois and other delicasies are also produced in the village.

The 13th Chateau, the 'Chateau of the Great Sun' is being lovingly restored by its owners. It can be viewed at  http://chateauofthegreatsun.co.uk. The restoration is now complete.

The chateau protects the flanks of the village and on one side overlooks the square which once fell within its walls. The Mairie is also situated on one side of the square, as is the beautifully restored village church.

Periodically, the French Foreign Legion, at the invitation of the Mayor, parade on the square at passing out ceremonies for those receiving their Kepi Blanc. This is a very moving ceremony in which soldiers passionately recite their oath of alliegance to their country and their regiment and recognise the sacrifice of fellow soldiers before them.

In season, some local inhabitants of the village take a coach to the Pyrenees to go skiing for the weekend.

The Fresquel valley was the scene of a violent and bloody battle between Catholic and Protestant forces in the 16th Century. There is a copy of the battle plan setting out the position of the opposing forces in the Chateau.

This part of South West France is rich in history. It is close to the border with Spain and has witnessed much conflict over the centuries. The history of the Cathars and the Wars of Religion and the the impact of the Black Prince all contribute to the history preserved in this region to this day.

The Da Vinci Code brought new life to already famous centres like Rennes le Chateau and Rennes les Bains, an hour's drive from Souilhe.

Small scale expansion of housing in the area is taking place in keeping with the character and needs of the local population.