Swim
Sadly the pool in Conques sur Orbiel is closed for renovation. However there are plenty of fabulous places to swim in the Carcassonne area.
Swimming
Les Bains de Minerve, Peyriac-Minervois
This is a lovely new pool with saunas and steam rooms. A great spot for indoor swimming in winter but with a retractable roof in summer. This pool is sparkling clean and not expensive.
Head out of village towards Villegly and continue on D620, until signed Peyriac on D11. 20mins by car.
Piscine de Paicherou
This outdoor pool is a real find! Hidden away, quiet and no tourists!
Head towards Pont Vieux, (the old bridge which leads to Cité of Carcassonne), stay on Bastide side of river (not the cité side), walk along the river side walk until you come to a boules and picnic area. The pool is next to tennis courts. No food is allowed but take water and sun hats. A lovely spot and only 20mins walk from Place Carnot in the centre of town.
Carcassonne Plage
Lac de Cavayere is known locally as Carcassonne Plage and is close to Cité de Carcassonne, 10mins from Conques.
It is a watersports centre as well as a swimming lake. There is a sandy beach , lots of water slides, a café and plenty of free parking. Well worth a visit, remember to bring a picnic .
Wild Swimming
Wild Swimming
Lagrasse
Gorgeous old village with lovely restaurants and a very old Abbey. Swim or paddle in the River Orbier near the Abbey, in the centre of Lagrasse. Fabulous swimming in the river and picnicking on the flat rocks alongside.
Take the road to Lagrasse from Trêbes into the foothills of Pyrenees. Or drive through Lagrasse and take the first left, continue on this road for 10mins until you reach village of Ribaute, then turn left in village over a very narrow old stone bridge spanning the River Orbier. Once over the bridge there is parking.
Bassin de Saint-Ferreol
Lac north of Conques Sur Orbiel in the Montagne Noire on the road to Revel. This is an artificial lake built by Riquet in 17th century as a reservoir to feed the waters of the Canal du Midi. Beautiful lake lined with pine trees, pretty beaches for swimming, a café and changing. Fabulous spot if you’re visiting Revel or Montelieu, the village is famous for its bookshops.
Beaches
Narbonne plage
This is a good beach for children with plenty of space, shallow water and safe swimming with lifeguards on beach. Plenty of snacks, cafes and deckchairs to hire !
40mins on the motorway.
Gruissan
A pretty port with 2 child-friendly beaches and restaurants. Visiting the old village of Guissan is a must. Ruined chateau in centre of old village. Pleasant walk to top. Fabulous views.
10mins from Narbonne.
Leucate Plage
This is a gorgeous quiet beach. At the Southern end of the beach find the restaurant Le Poulpe. A very cool, hip (and child friendly) beach restaurant and bar, with a speciality of octopus!
1hr drive.