John and Gerry's    Orchids of Britain and Europe
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Corbieres

Notable species :-

Anacamptis coriophora
Anacamptis laxiflora
Anacamptis papilionacea ssp septentrionalis
Himantoglossum hircinum
Himantoglossum robertianum
Neotinea conica
Ophrys arachnitiformis
Ophrys bertolonii
Ophrys caloptera
Ophrys catalaunica
Ophrys corbariensis
Ophrys delforgei
Ophrys forestieri
Ophrys fusca
Ophrys lutea
Ophrys occidentalis
Ophrys picta
Ophrys passionis
Ophrys scolopax
Ophrys speculum
Ophrys virescens
Ophrys anthropophora
Orchis olbiensis
Orchis provincialis
Orchis  purpurea


                                                                                              Corbieres
                               Ophrys corbariensis
                                 Ophrys vasconica
                                   Ophrys catalaunica


Areas of interest



* Querebus Castle

This well known ancient historical monument is situated close to the southern border of the Province of Aude in a hilltop position with a commanding view down to the Pyrenees in the south and across to the Mediterranean in the east. The terrain surrounding the castle is rugged but nonetheless supports a good range of orchid species, including Orchis olbiensis which is virtually at the most northerly extent of its range here. Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys corbariensis, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys forestieri, Ophrys shegodes, Orchis olbiensis, Orchis provincialis, Orchis simia, Anacamptis papilionacea,


*
Armissan

Situated on the D68 some 3kms east of Narbonne, the village sits at the northern end of a tract of hilly, limestone hinterland stretching south to the town of Gruissan. Some of the area has been subsumed by agriculture but there are still ample areas left uncultivated and which support orchids. Ophrys occidentalis, Ophrys delforgei, Ophrys arachnitiformis, Ophrys passionis, Ophrys caloptera, Ophrys forestieri, Serapias lingua, Himantoglossum hircinum,
Orchis simia, Orchis purpurea.

 

* Park Naturel Regional de la Narbonnaise en Mediterranee

This is a modestly sized reserve on the A9/E15 to the south of Narbonne, with a similar terrain to that of the previous location and unsurprisingly with a similar flora.
Ophrys occidentalis, Ophrys delforgei, Ophrys arachnitiformis, Ophrys passionis, Ophrys forestieri, Serapias lingua, Himantoglossum hircinum, Orchis simia, Orchis purpurea.



* St-Louis-et-Parahou

Situated on the D109 forty kilometres west of Perpignan, this village sits at the heart of an area rich in orchids. Much of the surrounding countryside is agricultural in nature but its use is very casual and orchids can be found in many of the meadows and along road verges. A short distance to the south the D109 climbs into high ground and increasingly uncultivated conditions can be found, particularly around the Col de Saint Louis. Anacamptis pyramidalis, Cephalanthera damasonium, Dactylorhiza fucshii, Neotinea conica, Himantoglossum hircinum, Ophrys forestieri, Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys caloptera, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys sulcata, Orchis simia, Orchis purpurea.



* Bugarach

Located just to the north of St Louis this small town and its surroundings do not at first sight seem to offer much encouragement to the orchid enthusiast. The town nestles in the shelter of the highest peak in the Corbieres, the Pic de Burgarach, a mountain which ancient prophecies predicted would be the only site to survive the Armageddon of 21st December 2012. Appearances are however deceptive and the largely agricultural landscape supports a wide variety of orchids which find a home in the meadows and verges. Ophrys vasconica, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys sulcata, Ophrys apifera, Ophrys insectifera, Orchis militaris, Orchis purpurea, Anacamptis laxiflora, Anacamptis coriophora, Cephalanthera longifolia, Cephalanthera damasonium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Dactylorhiza fuchsii.


*
Talairan

The town is located some 50 kms south west of Carcassonne at the junction of the D613 and D323. This is another area dominated by agriculture but where some suitable orchid habitat persists. This is particularly so to the south and west of the town where significant natural habitat survives amongst the vineyards. One of these vineyards, Domaine Serres Mazard offers a 1.5 kilometre guided walk that takes in the flora and fauna of the surrounding garrigue (as well as the shop) and which focuses heavily on the local orchids. The star attraction being Ophrys catalaunica (syn Ophrys magniflora).
Ophrys vasconica, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys sulcata, Ophrys apifera, Ophrys catalaunica, Ophrys corbariensis, Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys insectifera, Orchis militaris, Orchis purpurea, Cephalanthera longifolia, Cephalanthera damasonium,