Surrounding

This is a section that describes our surrounding in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. You can scroll down the page or click on the following secions

More photos are available in our photo album

Our region in south of France

Languedoc-Rousillon

one of 26 regions in France This region covers Aude, Gard, Hérault, Lozére and Pyrénées-Orientales. The Mediterranean climate and plentiful land with soil ranging from rocky sand to thick clay was very suitable for the production of wine, and it is estimated that one in ten bottles of the world's wine was produced in this region during the 20th century.

Hérault

The average temperature is between 15 and 16 degrees Celsius. The Mediterranean beaches are a major attraction, as well as the caves of Clamouse and Demoiselles.

Our FrenchSelfCatering villa is located in Valras-Plage

Pyrénées-Orientales

Ancient Roussillon is a small region of greater Languedoc (administrative region), forming the Pyrenees Orientales departement. It includes the towns of Perpignan and Collioure within its borders. Over its long and colorful history it has known many rulers. Roussillon was administrated first by kings of Aragon and later by the the Spanish Kingdom until 1659 (except the period between 1463 and 1493). Since 1659, with Treaty of the Pyrenees France controls the land. The Mediterranean coast between Perpignan and Montpellier now has one of the most modern holiday complexes in Europe. Montpellier offers grand civic spaces, cutting-edge architecture and state-of-the-art tram system and a vision into the future of urban living. The vineyards, started in the Roman era and producing red, white and rosé wine, begin in the Narbonne area. Nearby, Agde is a smaller fishing port whose main attraction is Le Cap d’Agde, with its wide expanse of unspoiled beaches and large nudist colony.

Our FrenchSelfCatering villa is located in Soréde.

Villages and towns

Agde

 Agde an old Greek fishing port. Now, it is 3 kilometres from the sea on the Hérault River. The buildings in the old village are constructed of black basalt, from the volcanic rock in the area. There is similar rock in many houses around here.

Aigues Mortes & The Camargue

The branches of the Rhône River spread out into the ranches and marshes of the Camargue, home to wild horses, flamingoes, bulls, and a variety of wildlife. Take your binoculars and enjoy a drive through this unusual countryside. Then on to the walled city of Aigues Mortes, where the Crusaders set sail, or drive out to the sea for lunch on the beach at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Argeles-sur-mer

There are two main parts to the town of Argeles. The old town, a kilometre inland, has narrow, cobbled streets and a lively street market selling local produce twice a week. Next to the beach, there is a more recent development geared to the toursit trade, with a wide selection of restaurants, shops, hotels and self-catering apartments. Nearby Argeles-Port offers a safe harbour for yachts.

The wine-lover will find much to enjoy in the surrounding Roussillon area, which produces a vast quantity of wine, with a trend of improving quality in recent years.

Arles

It would take a whole page to describe all the attractions of Arles, the finest Roman city in Provence and a Mecca for Van Gogh enthusiasts. (If you wander the alleyways on a warm evening, who knows, the lamplight may just fall upon an Arlésienne in red and white costume, her clear voice singing a Bizet aria !)

Beziers

Beziers in the centre is the Allée Paul Riquet, a grand plaza with open-air cafes. On the top of the hill in the old village, overlooking the city and the surrounding countryside, is the Cathedrale St.Nazaire. During the Cathar Crusades, Béziers was the first site laid siege to. When the invading armies gained entry to the city, the residents took refuge in the cathedral itself, to no avail. About 25,000 were slaughtered in the city, thousands of them in the cathedral itself, even though in all of Béziers at that time there were perhaps only 500 people of Cathar faith, at most. Béziers derives its livelihood from the local wine trade but is best known for its passion for rugby and bullfights. On the left bank of the River Orb, the steep streets rise to the vast 14th-century Cathédrale St Nazaire, with its fine sculpture, stained glass, and frescoes. The Musée St Jacques is dedicated to local history, wine, and the Canal du Midi. Allées Paul Riquet is the main street of the town, a tree-lined boulevard with a number of outdoor restaurants. On a hill just outside Béziers, Oppidum d'Ensérune is a magnificent Roman site revealing the foundations of houses, sarcophagi, and terracotta storage jars. The museum has a good archaeological collection.

Bouzigues Bouzigues

cradle of the shellfish farming, small and typically Mediterranean fishermen village, invites you to discover conchylicole farms, working places of the " sea farmers ". You can visit the oyster beds which made famous the name of the village, and be tempted by a tasting

Cap d'Agde

is a vintage late 60's tourist area. The beaches are good. But In summer, be prepared for traffic - a normal fifteen minute trip can take a lot longer.

Carcassonne

A truly magnificent medieval walled city with ramparts, craft shops, restaurants, and a 12th century chateau. The largest fortress in Europe, it's a superb sight, a day trip from St. Thibéry.

Collioure

Collioure is a typical Mediterranean fortified city, with a port overlooked by a royal chateau (12th-14th century). Its attractive site, along the Cote Vermeille, or Gilded Coast, and historic charm make it an important center for tourists and artists. Many painters, including Picasso and Matisse have been attracted by the exceptionally brilliant light and colour. The tower of the 17th century church formerly served as a lighthouse; its altarpiece is considered a masterpiece of Calatan Baroque. A boat excurson allows one a view of the Spanish coast, less than 20 miles to the south

Fourques

The village is a countryside village with none of the usual tourist traps. Instead the pleasure of staying here is to be able to enjoy the quiet southern France, country life.

Majority of the restaurants nearest to the villa are located in the neighbouring village.
There are around 6 wineries or so called caves, in and around Forques.

A Nature museum is located on the northern side of the town square

Laroque-des-Alberes

This Catalan village is located at the foot hill of the Albères mountain range, and has a surface of 2051ha. Covered in major part by the national forest, but also by wine and the fruit growing's. It is about 11 km to the sea and Argeles-sur-mer. The village has a mere 1929 inhabitants "Rocatins". The beauty of its landscape and its near beeches, chestnuts and oaks trees, gives a calming atmosphere. The village also has some fabulous restaurants.

Meze

Meze is a coastal village on the Etang de Thau, and one of the shellfish centres. If you like oysters and mussels, go here

Montpellier

The capital of the Languedoc-Rousillon region, Montpellier is a sophisticated modern city which surrounds a very well preserved historical centre. In the centre is the Place de Ia Comédie, a well known open plaza where there is always something interesting going on. Home to one of France’s best symphony orchestras and a resident opera, as well as some 20,000 university students, Montpellier has shopping, restaurants, theatre, promenades, and one-way streets that will have you pulling your hair out. Definitely worth the visit!

Nimes

Walk the exquisite 18c gardens with their fountains (in Roman times fed by water from the Pont du Gard) and the Temple de Diane, go up to the Tour Magne on Mont Cavalier, with its superb view, then visit the Maison Carrée, & the famous Arena

Perpignan

Perpignan the church and its rétable of the XVIIIe century and of course collections of the Museum of Olivette with a ballade in the small train. If you are amateur of jogging, a shaded path will lead you to the valley of Lavail and its Romane church of XIIe century. For bitten pedestrian excursions, the mountain offers marvellous circuits to you of which one which will lead you to the oasis of freshness which is Our-Lady of the Castle.

Pezenas

At the famous Saturday open market in this historic town you will hear French, English, Swedish, Dutch, German, and Spanish. The town is the home of Molière, although he lived there for only seven years. Plenty of shops, restaurants and beautiful old buildings. An interesting place to take a stroll.

Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines

Saint-Génis of the Fountains, small village known for his Romance church the Saint-Michael, is near the Spanish border, but also with ten kilometres from the beaches. Profiting from a sensational climate you will be able to discover a place filled of history thanks to its Benedictine abbey built around 800 by Sentimir. This village contains the oldest Romance sculpture: its lintel gone back to 1020. The tourist office organizes all kinds of festivities from June to December.

Serignan and plage

Serignan and Serignan Plage is separated by wine fields and country roads. The village itself is a very picturesque village that offers markets, banks and all sort of small food shops and other shops. It has a number of restaurants and cafes on the village square. Well worth a visit.
The village also has an exceptional cave cooperative.
The plage located about 10km from the village offers long sandy beaches. Beware, they have no lifeguard. The beach also hosts small restaurants and also possibility to rent sailboats.
There is a ferry going across the Orb that separates Valras-Plage with Serignan plage.

Sete

Sete an age-old Mediterranean fishing port and well worth the visit. If you drive to Sète from Marseillan Plage, on your right is the Mediterranean sea, and on the left the Etang de Thau, the area’s principal shell fishing farm. A “must visit” place is Mont St. Clair, the “mountain” overlooking Sète. There is a lovely chapel, and a lookout which provides views into Spain on a clear day

Sorède

Sorède is a well kept traditional French village with much character that offers relaxing holidays with easy access to a wealth of leisure activities within a few minutes away.

The village is located at an altitude of 64 m, within a green and peaceful surrounding. It is close to the Mediterranean beaches (ca 13km) and is one of four small villages that together are called Les Albères. These are dotted along the foothills of the mountain Les Albères.

It offers a small selection of restaurants in the village and more are available in the nearby villages.

You will find tradesmen of the products of quality, the fruits and vegetables produces locally. For those who appreciate wine there are local caves who offers wine tasting.

This village is the only place in the world where you can still see the manufacture of the famous "Perpignan" whips and crops much used in the days of horse transport.

Don't forget to visit the market held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Many animations take place all the summer on the place of the village and in the village hall: folklores, balls and sardanes.

St.Assiscle et Ste.Victoire is an 18th century church, which has an interesting reredos.

The railway museum displays steam, electric railway and coal mining memorabilia with various working models. It also offers a ride on a miniature railway. In the summer season there are conducted tours every day from 3pm to 6pm except Mondays.

Mas del Ca is an area for relaxation, picnics and healthy exercise with an Arboretum used for school nature-study outings and the study of Mediterranean forest trees.

The ruins of Ultrera, castle and the abbey Church of Notre Dame du Château are accessible by mountain road and footpaths.

If you enjoy walking, a beautifully shaded road takes you through the valley of Lavail with its 12th century Romanesque church and tiny hamlet.

More information can be attained from the tourist office.

Valras-Plage

Valras-Plage is one of the unspoilt holiday destinations on the French Mediterranean Coast, conveniently located between Montpellier and Perpignan. Béziers is the nearest city, just 15 km away.
Lively Montpellier is one of the most exciting cities in France and is the capital of the region of Languedoc.
Apart from the beach that stretches over 4 kilometres of golden sands, there is a great deal to do in or near Valras-Plage:
Water sports - Sailing and sailing schools, Windsurfing, Deep Sea Fishing and normal Fishing, Water skiing, Jetski, Diving, Boating and Sea ExcursionsThe village has a lively schedule during the summer.

Villelongue-dels-Monts

The village of Villelongue dels Monts, with around 1100 inhabitants is a quite, sleepy village, yet has sufficient amenities such that you can walk the 500 metres to a cafe bar / restaurant, a creperie / restaurant, a pizza take-away, newsagent / boulangerie, post office and a weekly market. A Champion supermarket is 5 minutes by car, as too are several other restaurants (we can provide you with recommendations), bars and shops. The sandy Mediterranean beach at Argeles sur Mer is 15 minutes by car.

Sites

Canigou

Canigou (Catalan Canigó) (el. 2784.66 m./9137 ft.) is a mountain located in the Pyrenees of southern France. Due to its sharp flanks and its situation in between high mountains and plateaus it was accidentally believed to be the highest mountain in the Pyrenees.
It is considered by many to be the spiritual home of the Catalan nation and inspired a collection of songs called Canigó, which all begin with the (Catalan words) "Muntanyes de Canigó, fresques són i regal

Chateau du Valmy

The Valmy castle is on the outskirts of Argelès-sur-mer. Its silhouette is detached from the woody hills that you can see from Argeles and surrounding areas. It is built in a zone called “Vallee de Marie”, that is to say Vallmaria as a Catalan. Vallmaria became Valmy thereafter

Pont du Gard

Not in the Languedoc region, but worth a visit. It is the highest aquaduct the Romans ever built and was used to carry water 50 km from Uzès to Nîmes. One of the most impressive monuments in the world.

Vallée-Heureuse

La Vallée Heureuse Happy Valley...

This is a settlement about 1 kilometre outside Sorède in the foothills of the mountain Les Alberes. The valley has its very own restaurant "Relais de Lorry" a previous transfer station for iron ore extraction

The valley also offers beautiful walks and views

Activities

Caves and wineries

Valras-Plage

• Domaine de la Youle

Serignan

• Cave Cooperative

Collioure

• Cave Le Dominicain

Sorede

• Domaine Saint-Hélène, 10 rue moulin Cassanyes - Tél : 04.68.89.30.30 - Point de vente : 2 rue du pont - Tél : 04 68 95 50 15
• Cave Guimezanes, 41 rue des Micocouliers - Tél : 04 68 89 05 96
  - Point de vente en face du Café des sports
• Cave Deprade-Jorda, 15 Chemin de la petite Gabarre- Tél : 04 68 89 04 64
• Cave Saint-André, Société Coopérative Vinicole - Tél : 04 68 89 03 03- Point de vente : rue du Centre.

Olive oil

Coming soon

Restaurants

Sorède

• Restaurant La Salamandre, 3 Rte de Laroque - Tél : 04.68.89.26.67
  - Cuisine gastronomique, Vins sélectionnés de la région
• Auberge Margaux, 10 bis, Rte de Laroque - Tél : 04.68.95.41.63
  - Spécialités Poissons et Fruits de mer.
• L'Estragon Traiteur, 4 rue du Pont - Tél : 04.68.89.13.99
  - Repas de fêtes à domicile - Baptêmes - Communions - Noces
• Crêperie de Lavail, Hameau de Lavail - Tél : 04.68.89.22.83
  - Crêpes garnies et sucrées, Cidre breton, Pâtisserie, Café, Thé, Jus de fruits
• Pizza de la Vallée, Place de la république - Tél : 04.68.95.43.24
• Café des Sports, Rue Saint-Jacques - Tél : 04.68.89.00.44
  - Brasserie - Snack
• Bar Glacier des Albères, Place de la République - Tél : 04.68.89.25.44
  - Brasserie - Snack.

Thur

• El Rossello, Thuir Phone: +33 4-68532080
• Can Marty Bodega, Thuir Phone: +33 4-68536140
• MAISON MARTY, Thuir Phone:+33 4 68 53 61 40
• LE PATIO CATALAN, Thuir Phone: +33 4 68 53 57 28
• LA TAVERNE DEL GALET, Thuir Phone: +33 468 53 14 83
• CAFE BLEU, Thuir Phone: +33 468 53 12 98

Spain

Barcelona

Barcelona is a highly recommended city to visit when you are in the southern parts of France. It can be a nice break from the beach and of cause there are numerous attractions to visit in and near Barcelona.

On the way there, you will pass Figureras and the Dahli museum. In Barcelona, Gaudi has adorned this city with his best work. His style and modernism has made his work the best attractions in Barcelona.