Shops.
There are local shops at Preixan, a bakery with fantastic croissants plus a small supermarket. In La Valette there are various small shops (butcher, tabac and grocers). Major supermarkets (Geant and Leclerc) can be found in Carcassonne.

Banks.
Banks can be found in Carcassonne and Limoux.

Restaurants.
There are many restaurants to be found locally one in Preixan, St. Hilaire (Le Clos de St. Hilaire) and many in Carcassonne, especially (Comte Roger) in the city.

Coast/Beach.
Narbonne on the Mediterranean is a 45 minute drive. There is a nice beach at Gruissan with its salt marshes. Port Leucate with its pretty port with good eating is an hour’s drive away.

Sport:

Golf - There is a substantial golf course at Carcassonne within 15 minutes which has been beautifully landscaped. The restaurant here is exceptional. Skiing - There are various ski resorts within an hour away. The better resorts are about 2 hours away in Andorra. Windsurfing and parasurfing - There are plenty of places to go on the coast but Port Leucate has a great beach with fantastic windsurfing and parasurfing, and a number of good schools. Kayaking - on the Aude at Alet les Bains. Riding -  at the nearby campsite.

Places to visit:

Wine caves in Arzens and Rouffiac.

Besides the old city of Carcassonne there are Cathar chateaux all around and at various distances. Rennes le chateau which is very interesting is about 45 mins away. St Hilaire (a monastry where the local white fizzy wine, la Blanquette was discovered) is 15 mins away across country.