La Chapelle Saint Roch at Montolieu

Cette ancienne chapelle se trouve sur un promontoire rocheux à l'est du village de Montolieu.

This ancient chapel stands on a rocky promotory at the east of the village of Montolieu.

To get here, from centre of Montolieu, head south towards Carcassonne. At the 90 degree bend just after bridge, turn left - it's signposted 'Saissac'. Then take the almost immediate right turning. This road runs alongside a parking area. It passes some house, ascends, at first narrow with no passing places, after which a very sharp double hairpin bend opens out into garrigue, where it becomes a stone track. Go left at the fork you encounter. By this point you are less than 500m from the chapel, and there are various places to park by the track.

Although undoubtedly old (I can't find out how old), the chapel itself is not all that picturesque, with metal grilles on its doors, and the shade of trees almost always upon it.

However, the location more than makes up for this. The elevated hilltop upon which the chapel stands has several kilometres of footpaths running through and around it. These are all easily navigated, and offer wonderful views in all directions - north into La Montagne Noire, west towards Montolieu, and south over the Aude Plain to the Pyrénées.