E m b r e s  e t  C a s t e l m a u r e

n Roman times there was a Gallo-Roman villa in
Embres et Castelmaure where roof tiles were made.

Later the area was ruled by the Wisigoths and the Saracens and traces of that period still remain. Of particular interest are the ruins of a castle (Castelmaure) built on the surrounding hillsides which for some time defined the border between France and Aragon. This castle, built in the XVIth century, has been in the hands of the Pompadour family for a long time. These remains now look down on a Medieval chapel of classic simplicity. The land around supported a pastoral economy based on sheep until the XIXth century when the first grapes were planted around the village.

T h e  C o r b i è r e s
a  r e g i o n  w o r t h  e x p l o r i n g

lose to Catalonia, Embres et Castelmaure is idealy located for hiking in the
wild hill-country of the Corbières, visiting the Cathar castles and Romanesque abbeys

and the medieval city of Carcassonne, enjoying the Mediterranean Sea, or just relaxing in the atmosphere of a winegrowing village. This very old vineyard and the richness of the soil give a strong, warm and full bodied wine which may be sampled at the village winery, known as the “Cave Cooperative”.