OUR LIFE IN CHALABRE: An American Expat in the South of France

THE HAUTE VALLEE (May 2006) The Haute Vallée of the Aude if that small, hilly region located between Chalabre to the west on the one hand and Limoux and Couiza to the east on the other -- it also includes Esperaza, Fa and Rouvenac to the South. It is comprised of a number of small, beautiful villages, nestled into the hills. A-explorin' we go... Beanie on the small winding roads of the Haute Vallée To the South, the Pyrénnées... The verdant hills... Hills and valleys... Country roads far away from everything... Joty Bas (Lower Joty), the property of our friends the Turners... ...near the hilltop hamlet of Carraguel.   The pittoresque village of La Serpent is perched at the top of the Haute Vallée.   The Château of La Serpent.   The Château, the Village and the wine fields.   Clockwise, more wine-field and the remnants of an ancient watchtower on the horizon   More watchtowers between La Serpent and... ...the neighboring village of Conilhac-de-la- Montagne . The countryside near Conilhac...   Winefields near Conilhac...   The village of Roquetaillade.   The road towards Castelreng - on top of the hills in the distance, éoliennes (windpower generator)   Close-up on the éoliennes.   The countryside past Castelreng...   ...and towards La Digne d'Amont.   The village of Ajac on the road Limoux- Chalabre.   Ajac sits on top a small hill.   Just past Ajac, looking towards Villelongue.   The pittoresque town of Saint-Benoît lies in a hollow on the road to Chalabre,   The poplar-lined road leading to Saint-Benoît.