Guesthouse and Campsite
Lavaldieu is a partially restored hamlet, surrounded by 51 hectares of land, with organic gardens and orchards, horses, pastures full of wild flowers and butterflies (over 80 species here and in the immediate area) and deciduous woodland. It is a bird refuge with the “Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux” and hunting is prohibited.
Situated, in an area of outstanding natural beauty with superb views of the Pic Bugarach, Lavaldieu is between the enigmatic village of Rennes le Chateau (5km) and the thermal spa of Rennes le Bains (7km), 45km south of Carcassonne in the Languedoc, close to the Pyrénnées and the mediterranean (1h15).
Since 1986 individuals, families and groups have been welcome to come and re-energize body, mind and spirit, have fun and rest or simply follow their own quest. There is no religious bias here.
History :
This area, with the inverted mountain of Bugarach, ruined Cathar castles, hot springs and powerful earth energies has always had a mysterious and sacred history.
The impressive rocks that the hamlet of Lavaldieu is built on are evidence of its megalithic origins. The old paths, lined with huge slabs of stone date from Celtic times and one can follow in the footsteps of the ancient ones (or even those of the dinosaurs).
Excavations have shown the 11th.C vaulted foundations of a chapel and to the then owners the Knights of St. John of the Cross. When the Knights were dissolved Lavaldieu became the property of the Abbey of Fontfroide (approx. 1290) with the name 'Vallis Dei' which became in occitan "La val (de) Dieu (in ancient occitan the preposition 'de' was left out ).
In the early 1800 there were 5 houses and families here and after the 1st. World War Lavaldieu fell into ruin, the fate of many rural properties. In 1984 the slow restoration of the ruined hamlet and Lavaldieu's land was undertaken.
Our aims :
Lavaldieu is for us a permanent source of inspiration and beauty. Above all we wish to preserve and respect the natural energy of the place. We choose not to over exploit the land but rather to maintain its naturalness. We are restoring the hamlet in traditional style.
