- Quillan
French commune
nomcommune=Quillan
Place de la République
région=Languedoc-Roussillon
département=Aude
arrondissement=Limoux
canton=Quillan
insee=11304
cp=11500
maire=Maurice Aragou
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=
longitude=2.1825
latitude=42.8761111111
alt moy=291 m
alt mini=261 m
alt maxi=1,122 m
hectares=2,097
km²=20.97
sans=3,542
date-sans=1999
dens=168
date-dens=1999Quillan is a "commune" in the
Aude "département" in southwesternFrance .Quillan is located at the foothills of the
Pyrenees , on the road betweenCarcassonne andPerpignan .Quillan, at the top of the Haute Valley of the Aude, close to the mountains, is a medium sized town 6km from
Espéraza and is popular for white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking on theAude River (Alet-les-Bains is another good place to go for white water sports).There are several hotels in Quillan (3 and 4 star) but if you want to stay there in the season book well ahead as there is great pressure on accommodation. There is also a good tourist office and several restaurants to choose from.
Quillan was a significant town on an ancient winding road linking Carcassonne with Perpignan. The river Aude traditionally carried timber and other local products to Carcassonne and the
Canal du Midi . The town was particularly noted for hat making. However, new and easier routes joining Carcassonne to Perpignan via Narbonne for example have contributed to the town's unemployment during more recent years. Quillan looks increasingly to develop its tourism and with some measure of success. The immediate area is rich in geographical and historical interest.Mr Jean Bourrel, a local businessman who developed a millinery factory in the town, was responsible for the construction of houses, and creation of fashionable hats. Many of these houses have been converted into [http://www.maisonbourrel.co.uk/history.aspx luxurious holiday homes] .
Transportation
The railway line from Carcassonne runs here stopping in
Limoux and Espéraza on the way but the service is limited and many of the trains are actually buses. Leaving Quillan the main road (D117) leads toPerpignan . Down toBarcelona or up toNarbonne and theTGV lines across the South of France.External links
* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/FR/0/Quillan.html Maps and weather for Quillan]
* [http://www.netmefrance.com/Quillan.html Quillan photos and holiday attractions]
* [http://www.us-quillan.com/ Quillan Rugby Club - Union Sportive Quillan Haute Vallée (USQ)]
* [http://www.aude-en-pyrenees.fr/index.html Practical Information and What's On in Quillan (french and english)]
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