To the north of the Minervois lies the Black Mountain, the Regional Parc of the High Languedoc and lots of unspoiled, sparsely inhabited land. It is the area of rivers like the Orb, running through narrow gorges and offering waters of interest for kayak enthusiasts.

Just outside the Minervois to the north is the small town of St-Pons-de-Thomières. It holds each year a variety of interesting markets and rural fairs : 'La Fête des Cochons' where everything connected with a the pig is for sale, even its squeak - usually around the end of February ; 'La Fête des Chataignes' in the autumn - chestnuts roasted in vast tubs ; Fêtes des vins.
For more on the history of St-Pons-de-Thomières, visit http://perso.wanadoo.fr/saint-pons-de-thomieres/ (in French only).

From St Pons, travel north-eastwards along the D908 and visit the interesting small towns of the high valley of the Jaur and the Orb : Olargues, Hérépian (with the bell foundery), Bédarieux.
To the north of St Pons, there are the two lakes : Lac de la Raviege, Lac du Laouzas either side of the village of La Salvetat.

Castres is a town with some delightfully old buildings overhanging the river in the old part of the town centre. It is only 75 km from Olonzac but the run through winding roads will take you about an hour and three quarters, passing through the small country town of Mazamet on the way. In Castres, you can visit the museum dedicated to Jean Jaurès, native of this area and a well known socialist politician of the late 19th century, assasinated early in the 20th century. Jaurès was ahead of his time in his anti-colonialist views. There is also a museum of Goya paintings and a beautiful garden planned by the famous Le Nôtre.

About 40 km beyond Castres is the town of Albi with its magnificient fortified church. Albi gave its name to the Albigensian crusades against the Cathars in the 12th and 13th centuries. It was also the home of Toulouse Lautrec, the artist, and contains a museum based on his family home. A collection of his paintings is on display in the town. The return trip to Olonzac takes about 2 and half hours from Albi.