Does this sound attractive to you ? A small train station the midst of the Montagne Noire, about 32 miles from Carcassonne. On the border of Cathare country and the descendants of the Languedoc and the Tarn. People used to pass it when marching towards Santiago de Compostela. These days with Ryan air, it’s just an hour flight from Brussels. Ideal to get away for the weekend, even better to find peace and comfort for a longer period.

This little train station (similar to the station of Mr. Bleeching) from 1888 resides on a hill in Lacabarède or is it Rouairoux. A border discussion actually. Carine and Johan bought it in 2006 and are offering – starting the summer of 2007, two chamber d’hôtes (or table d’hôtes for those who wish) and three gites. Two big gites (or guest houses) in the old marchandshal of the station (each gite can accomodade 4 tot 8 personnes) and one small romantic gite for the real romantic couple in search of some authencitie.

If there’s one thing Le repos de la gare doesn’t lack, then it’s authenticitie. The chambers d’hôtes reside in the Salle d’attente des passagers 1ière et deuxième classe and the bureau du traffic, where time stood still. Dining and wining is possible I the old waiting facilities of the station where even the old ticket stands and luggage closets are still a part of the interior. Hostess is Carine, who’s kitchen abilities have convinced more then one traveller. Host is Johan, who has but one goal and that is to convert all guests to local products and in particular the liquid Languedoc pearls.