Couiza (; ) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.Commune de Couiza (11103), INSEE Couiza is a rural commune which belongs to the urban unit of Espéraza. Its inhabitants are called Couizanais or Couizanaises in French.
Couiza is located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, on the road between Limoux, going towards Carcassonne and Quillan, going towards Perpignan. Couiza, in the upper valley of the Aude, is at the foot of the hill leading to Rennes-le-Château.
Historically and culturally, the commune is part of the Corbières massif, a limestone chaos forming the transition between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees . Exposed to an altered oceanic climate, it is drained by the Aude, the Sals, and the Antugnac stream. The town has a remarkable natural heritage: a Natura 2000 site (the “hautes Corbières”) and two natural areas of ecological, fauna and flora interest.
Population
Sights The architectural heritage of the town includes a building protected as a historic monument: the castle, listed in 1913. The Château de Couiza, a 16th-century castle, was built by the Dukes of Joyeuse and is now a hotel and restaurant (Les Ducs de Joyeuse). There is also a good tourist office, another restaurant, two patisseries and a post office. There is also a church in Couiza dedicated to St. Jean the Baptist. The area around Couiza is rich in historic and geographic interest.
Transportation The railway line from Carcassonne runs here stopping in Limoux and Espéraza on the way but the service is limited. Leaving Couiza the main road (D117) leads to Perpignan. Down to Barcelona or up to Narbonne and the TGV lines across the South of France.
See also Communes of the Aude department
References
External links
Official website for Couiza (in French) Activities in and around Couiza, plus holiday accommodation