historytraveler

I've come up with a couple of additional days in my Languedoc/Roussillon itinerary and think I have a plan as how to utilize them without playing musical chairs with the places I've already pre-booked. We will be departing from Pézenas. I thought that crossing the Corbières would be interesting and in looking at both Via Michelin and my maps, it seems there are at least two possibilities. One route mostly follows the D 611 going through Durban-Corbières, Chateau d'Aguilar and finally Padern near Cucugnan where I'm hoping we can spend the night. The other route follows the D 212 passing Lagrasse although I suppose we could make the short detour from the D 611 in order to visit Lagrasse. The D 611 hooks up with the D 613 going through Villerouge-Termenes and then the D 410 to Cucugnan. Is one route better than the other or does it make much difference at all?

Would like to stay at the Auberge du Vigneron in Cucugnan and would plan on visiting the chateaux in the area the next day before heading to Prades. We are already booked for two nights at a B&B in Prades, and I thought adding another night there would work well as there seems to be plenty to do and see in the area.

I'm certainly open to any suggestions.

Thanks,
carol

Pvoyageuse

Both routes are pretty and typical of the Corbières area. If I had to chose between Villerouge-Termenès and Lagrasse I would chose the former.
How do you plan to get to Prades? Via the coast or via Tuchan and Estagel? In the second case, you'll drive through pretty much the same landscape.

historytraveler

I hadn't thought that far ahead. Orignally we had planned on visiting Queribus and Peyrepertuse from Prades via the D 612 and Forca Réal. Looking at the map, the D 619 via Sournia might also be a possibility or backtracking to Salses and visiting Fort de Salses.

Pvoyageuse

Both winding roads, a different landscape and a long drive if you go via Sournia.
I assume you'll visit Queribus, Peyrepertuse and possibly Lapradelle-Puilaurens from Cucugan and Villerouge-Termenès and/or Lagrasse on your way.
The small road from Tuchan to Estagel is typical Corbières landscape (if you have time you can make a detour to Tautavel and visit the Prehistoric Museum) and from Estagel to Perpignan along the Agly Valley and the vinyards it is excellent and fast (beautiful church in Espira de l'Agly). You'll get to Prades in no time when you are in Perpignan.
On the other hand the coast road is beautiful (do not take the motorway, take the old road). You'll be driving along a salt water lake with the sea in the distance and Mount Canigou a a background.

historytraveler

Thanks for the suggestions especially regarding the route via Sournia. Yes, we'll visit Queribus, Peyprepertuse and Lapradelle-Puilaurens. I think we can fit in Lagrasse as we'll probably take the auto route from Pezenas. I'll have a look at the coast road as well as that would be an opportunity to see a different landscape. I appreciate the information about the church in Espira de l'Agly. Thanks.