# Montagne Noire

The Montagne Noire (French pronunciation:; Occitan: Montanha Negra, known as the 'Black Mountain' in English) is a mountain range in central southern France. It is located at the southwestern end of the Massif Central at the juncture of the Tarn, Hérault and Aude departments. Its highest point is the Pic de Nore at 1,210 metres (3,970 ft).
The mountain is within the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park.
The GSSP for the Tournaisian is near the summit of La Serre hill, in the commune of Cabrières, in the Montagne Noire. The GSSP is in a section on the southern side of the hill, in an 80 cm deep trench, about 125 m south of the summit, 2.5 km southwest of the village of Cabrières and 2.5 km north of the hamlet of Fontès.

## Tourism

The Montagne Noire is an area ideal for relaxing, discovering the region's heritage and taking part in cultural and outdoor sporting activities.
The region is particularly attractive for its history, which is rooted in Catharism. The Château de Saissac and the four chateaus of Lastours are must-sees in the Montagne Noire audoise. Both are part of the network of Pays Cathare sites , a project run by the Aude department. Two applications are available on smartphones: “Pays cathare, le guide” offers users guided tours of the monuments, including the Château de Saissac and the four châteaux of Lastours; the Castrum application enables younger visitors to understand this heritage while playing.
The Brousses paper mill is another attraction for visitors. It is the last mill in Languedoc to produce paper in this way, and offers guided tours and courses throughout the year.
The prise d'Alzeau, near Lacombe, and the rigole de la montagne that flows from it, are a must-see feature of the Montagne Noire. This is the origin of the Canal du Midi. Together with the Canal du Midi, they have been awarded the UNESCO label.
The Cubserviès waterfall and the Pic de Nore are among the most popular natural attractions.
The local heritage of the villages appeals to visitors with their special features: lause on church walls, steep streets, Occitan buildings... Some communes have been awarded the “ville et village fleuri” label, such as Roquefère. Villages are lively places where festivities abound, showcasing local particularities. Among the best-known are the medieval festival in Saissac, the “Fête des châtaignes, du vin et des produits de la montagne Noire in Villardonnel, the ’Jazz sous les châtaigners” music festival in Roquefère and the soapbox race in Villardonnel. The “Contes en montagne Noire” event takes place every autumn. Two hiking events take place in summer: Festirando and Balades Fraîcheur. These offer the chance to hike and discover unmarked trails accompanied by volunteers from local hiking associations. In 2023, the region will host the Canalathlon, a multi-sport team event. Launched in 2016 by the Pays lauragais PETR to mark the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO listing and the 350th anniversary of the Canal du Midi construction edict, it is organized every two years on a different part of the canal.
The wide-open spaces of the Montagne Noire landscape are ideal for outdoor sports. Hiking, mountain biking and horse-riding are all popular activities. Numerous hiking trails have been mapped out along the paths. Among them, the GR7 passes to the north of the massif.
Four areas are recognized by the Aude department as sensitive natural areas, and offer interpretive trails with explanatory panels. The one at Cuxac-Cabardès also offers a fun trail with a detective story suitable for children via a smartphone application. The lakes and rivers of the Montagne Noire are also very attractive in summer for the coolness they bring. Three of them are open to bathers in summer: bassin du Lampy in Saissac, lac de Birotos in Pradelles-Cabardès and lac de Laprade-Basse in Cuxac-Cabardès.
Around the Montagne Noire in the Aude region, several sites are also very popular. The underground caves of Limousis and the giant chasm of Cabrespine are open to visitors. Montolieu, also known as the “book village”, is home to some fifteen bookshops. Further north, at the gateway to the Tarn, the town of Mazamet is home to two museums: the Museum of Catharism and the House of Wood and Toys. Nearby, the medieval village of Hautpoul offers a breathtaking view of the town below.

## Gallery

* Location in the Massif Central
* The Pic de Nore, the highest point in the range
* Annotated satellite picture