WINE
The surrounding land is particully interesting for the wine circuits (Corbieres, Minervois and Fitou).

Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine region in the world. Languedoc-Roussillon covers the area on the border of the Mediterranean sea between the west of the Rhône and Camargue to the border of Spain and the Pyrénées mountains.
Long history of wine making and favorable natural and climatic conditions explain why wine is so important in Languedoc Roussillon. Dramatic have been made other the years to reduce the production and to improve the quality of the wine.

Languedoc-Roussillon region produces mainly red wines, a good share is "Vin de Table" but most of it is "Vin de Pays". They are perfect as every day wines. AOC wines are very interesting to follow as the techniques, grape varieties and vineyards selected tend to improve the quality of the wine. AOC stand for Appellation d'Origine Controlée and a suggested translation would be "regulated wine of origin". AOC is the higher nationwide wine grade.

AOC Corbières
The AOC corbières is one of the largest wine appellation in France. To distinguish the wines, Corbières is divided into 11 terroirs such as Sigean, Lézignan, Boutenac and Lagrasse.
The "terroirs" produce mainly red wines. The grape variety is Carignan for about 50%. More and more wine are made in oak barrels. It demonstrates the path taken towards quality by wine makers in Corbières for about a century. The red wines are rich and, spicy, full body and fruity.

AOC Minervois
Minervois is a winegrowing limited by the Canal du Midi in South and the Black Mountain to the North. In 1985, the French wine authority -- the AOC -- granted Minervois an appellation. This meant a new beginning for the region, as strict regulations were immediately imposed on the vineyards and winemaking techniques - not to mention instant credibility. The result is dramatic: Good quality wines are being found at very affordable prices.

AOC Fitou
Fitou was the first AOC wine in Languedoc in 1948. The Fitou region, situated along the Domitian Way, has been a crossroad since early times, having experienced Carthaginian, Roman and Visigoth invasions over the centuries. The Greeks were the first to plant vines along the coast, followed by the Romans. In the troubled times of the Middle Ages in Languedoc, production declined and Fitou wines became once again widely popular only from the 17th and 18th centuries. The production area is mainly along the coast, from Narbonne to Perpignan.

GASTRONOMY
In the village you will find two pizzerias, one that proposes take-away meals, and a bar-restaurant.

RESTAURANTS IN NARBONNE (6km from Château de la motte) :

L'Alsace, 2 av. P. Sémard, phone 04 68 65 19 24, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The seafood is honoured here.

Bistrot du Chef... en gare, 1 av. Carnot, phone 04 68 32 14 52, closed Tuesday evening and Wednesday. This extraordinary bistro is situated in the railway station.

Le Capitole, 33-35 avenue Pierre-Sémard, phone 04 68 32 27 35, open every day. A typical brasserie from the South of France.

L'Estagnol, 5 Cours Mirabeau, phone 04 68 65 09 27, closed Sunday and Monday. This restaurant is situated next to les Halles. You can eat outside and taste the regional food.

Le Petit Comptoir, 4 Boulevard du Maréchal-Joffre, phone 04 68 42 30 35, closed Sunday and Monday. A very good and simple restaurant.

La Petite Cour, 22 Boulevard Gambetta, phone 04 68 90 48 03, closed Sunday and Monday. A very good fish restaurant.

Au Plaisir de la Table, Passage de l'Ancien Courrier, phone 04 68 32 18 08, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. In a charming little courtyard.

La Table Saint-Crescent, 68 avenue du général Leclerc, phone 04 68 41 37 37, closed Saturday at noon, Sunday evening and Monday. This restaurant have receive one star in the Michelin guide. The food is excellent and from the Languedoc region.

RESTAURANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE:

In Sallelles d'Aude (7km from Château de la motte)
Les Ecluses, Grand'rue, phone 04 68 46 94 47. Nicole and Stéphane friendly welcome you. Very good equation between the quality and the price.

In Cruzy (10km from Château de la motte) :
L'Auberge de la Croisade, après Ouveillan, phone 04 67 89 36. Perfect situation next to the Canal du Midi. Very fine food.

In Ouveillan (10km from Château de la motte) :
Relais de Pigasse, phone 04 68 89 40 98, closed Sunday evening and Monday. This old building has been restored with a lot of good taste. The food is seducing you and you can taste the wine of the property. This restaurant has also receive one star in the Michelin guide.

In Fontjoncouse (25km from Château de la motte):
L'Auberge du Vieux Puits is situated in the village Fontjoncouse, phone 04 68 44 07 37. Beautiful setting and the food is excellent. This restaurant has received two stars in the Michelin guide and le price is according to this reward.

To know more about:

CITIES AND CULTURAL VISITS

SPORTS ACTIVITIES