CailinDeas

Hi there,

We are renting a house in a village called Pailhes just north of Beziers for a week in September.. Just me and my hubby. Any suggestions for things to do and must sees in the area?? We enjoy sightseeing, nice scenery, markets, wine tasting and trying local restaurants.. we are hoping to have a fairly relaxing week but hope to combine the relaxation with some activities.

thanks so much

Cailin

traveller1959

- Beziers is a town with the typical atmosphere of Southern France, e.g. a market under sycamores. The wine museum is amazing.

- Another close attraction is Oppidum d'Ensérune, the ruins of a Roman site.

- Carcassonne is a completely walled medieval city and spectacular.

- You drive into the Pyrenees to see some mountain scenery. Ceret is a charming town at the base of the mountains. There are several small roads leading up the Mont Canigou and its hiking trails.

- You may even cross the border into Northen Spain. Figueres has the spectacular Dali museum, and Cadaques on the coast is probably Spain's most beautiful "White Town".

- If you head in northern direction, there is Agde - and modest, but charming market town - and Sete with a beautiful old harbour.

- In the hinterland, St. Guilhem-le-desert is worth a visit.

- A little more north, you find Nimes, a city with probably the finest Roman ruins to be found anywhere (including Rome).

- From there, the Pont du Gard is not far, a spectacular Roman aquaduct in amazing natural setting.

- You can also reach Avignon (papal palace), Arles (more Roman ruins) and Aigues-Mortes (walled medieval town).

- Montpellier is also an interesting destination.

- And do not forget the beaches.

blackduff

Check this site. It has a lot of information about Languedoc.

http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/

Also for the Pyrenees Oriental area, look to the http://www.anglophone-direct.com .

For just viewing about the PO, view my photo album from my area.

www.pyreneesmediterraneanliving.com

Blackduff

CailinDeas

Thanks so much Traveller and Blackduff.. that certainly gives me food for thought. We did the Avignon/ Pont de Gard area last year so we more than likely will stick to the more westerly part. We particularly enjoyed the market in Uzes- are they of similar size and standard in the Languedoc region do you know. Any good restaurants that you know of.
Again thanks so much for all your help.

Cailin

traveller1959

For restaurants, look at www.viamichelin.com

There are some rustic restaurants in neighboring villages and two (!) restaurants with a star in Beziers. Both are affordable. I assume you can get there a gourmet meal for half of the price you would pay for a similar meal in Paris.

cigalechanta

Carcasonne, the beautiful villages of St Guilhem-le-desert, La Couvertoirade,Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Cordes-s-Ciel.
The Gorge of Tarn, a beautiful drive through. and The Corniche Des Cevennes.
You must cross the highest bridge in the world in Millau.

artsnletters

The ruined Cathar castles south of Carcassonne are well worth a stop. Peyrepertuse was a particular treat - a pretty hike up, stunning views, and three (count 'em!) castles in various stages of rehabilitation. The hike up takes perhaps 30 minutes, and while the footing requires good walking shoes, it's not otherwise a particularly difficult hike.

Narbonne is another possibility. If you like Roman mosaics, there are some good ones on display in the Musée Archéologique, and there is a marvelous sculpture of Bacchus in the adjoining Musée d’Art et d’Histoire.

shellio

Pézenas is a charming little city with a thriving antiques trade and an interesting "old town".

klondike

We just got back a few weeks ago from renting a house in St. Thibéry (North-east of Béziers/South-east of Pézénas). Béziers has wonderful things going on-just check with the tourist office located at the very interesting and impressive Locks of Fonséranes (on the Canal du Midi). Last year we had front row seats to a Concert performed by the Berlin Festival Orchestra in the Cathedral-it was exceptional. Very nice lunch at Le Cristal 1 Ave. de Vincennes Tel:03 83 44 77 50 Reasonable prices and friendly service--we always eat out on the tree-lined café area. Great Moules/frites for 9 euros among other things with the wine special of the day: Delicious Grezan Rosé for 14 euros.

We really enjoyed the towns mentioned by posters above as well as Cap d'Adge (for the beach), sunset drive along the coast to Sète for dinner La Table de Jean, Plage de la Corniche Tel 04 67 53 02 57 4 Menus Saveurs, 1/2 Picpoul & 1/2 Chateau Haut Lignières for a total of 150 euros. Exceptional seafood by chef Guy Dagorrette. Need Reservations.

Went on a history/wine tasting trip in the opposite direction another day driving the back roads through Capestang to the small town of Minerve set in the crook of a deep gorge...cars not allowed over the long bridge and into the medieval streets of this town.
Son and I paid respects to those Cathars massacred there as we spent a few quiet moments at the memorial stone placed next to the church overlooking the town and engraved in the Langue d'Oc. Boys visited several of the cavistes and came away with a couple of wines. Husband enjoyed jewelry shopping for me. Then we all sat at an outside café with a grand view over the gorge eating ice cream (us) and beers (boys).

Pézenas if great for antiques and its old town. For a special meal you can go to Le Déluge or our favorite is Le Pré Saint Jean on 18 Ave de Maréchal Leclerc. Exquisite food. Great service in warm toned diningroom. Tel 04 67 98 15 31

Pvoyageuse

An excellent restaurant in Magalas, near Béziers :
O'Bon Temps
Place de l'Eglise
Phone : 04 67 36 20 82

http://www.o-bontemps.com


For wine-tasting, the village of Saint Chinian.

For "charcuterie" (dried sausages, pâtés,cured ham) : the village of Lacaune

CailinDeas

Wow this is marvellous. Thanks so much for all your help.Can't wait to go now. Only one more week and we're off!! Thanks again everyone!

sforza

Hi everyone,

Hope it's OK if I get in on this thread...I have almost the same question as Cailin.

A group of us are renting a villa just south of Carcassone --we'll be there in 2 weeks. a couple of years ago the same group started our week in Provence with a trip to the large market in Isle Sur La Sorgue, and I see Cailin's asked if there's a market in the Languedoc area like the Saturday market in Uzes?

I have been working my way through the list of Languedoc market days and towns, but would appreciate if anyone knows which ones are particularly great.

We plan our trips around market days in part because one member of our group is a chef..

(By the way, your pictures are amazing, Blackduff!)

Thank you!

TDudette

Bookmarking, great info! Thanks to all.

RedStater

Rent a couple of bicycles and do some village-to-village touring. Great way to meet local people!

CailinDeas

Sforza.. do you think you could send the chef a week early?? I agree about the photos Blackduff- amazing!! Brilliant information from everyone thank you!! Am still unsure about the markets but we will wing it if necessary.. Sforza, We will be back on the 14th so if I have anything really good to add at that point, I will- hopefully you won't already have left or will be able to access the web. Enjoy!!!

Only 5 days to go- hurray!!

geebee14

1. Read a little about the history of the Cathars and in particular the seige of Minerve, then visit this unusual town (about 55 km away). Make reservations for a meal at Le Chantovent in the same town. This would make a good half or full-day outing.

2. Visit the Sunday market in St. Chinian. (23 kms away)

3. Bike, walk or drive along the Canal du Midi. The town of Le Somail (42 kms away) is a pleasant place for a canal-side meal and a chance to watch the canal boats float by.

4. Follow the signs to a dégustation and buy some wine from the Minervois region.

CailinDeas

Thanks Geebee,

You seem very familiar with the area. Fantastic info!!

Thanks

Cailin

WillyWonka

We are off to the same area and have found this info really useful.
Like previous posters, we are very interested in the markets in the region. Can anyone pin point which ones are good for local produce and which ones are good for souvenirs/ antiques/ knick knacks?
Also what local produce should we look out for. Like Sforza, we intend to do some self catering and would like to know what produce is particularly good in the region.
Thanks

sforza

Thanks, everyone!

Thought I should share my limited research -- I'm working through the week and I'm only up to Wednesday. Quoted material is from other websites.

Sunday Market Days

Narbonne: Some say the market is daily and others say Thursday and Sunday. A lot of people recommend visiting it on Sunday, though. Also there is a big indoor food hall or market open daily.

Esperaza: About 1 hour due west of Durban-Corbieres on the Aude River. Website says it is the busiest Sunday market in the area.

Monday Market Days

Mirepoix. “Mirepoix – a bastide town – an easy, pleasant drive out of Carcassonne – on the D119 via Montreal & Fanjeaux (both hilltop villages). You will leave the vineyards & come into rolling hills of crops & drive through avenues of trees. Mirepoix also has antique/brocante shops & art galleries to browse through as well as some good restaurants – Le Comptoir Gourmand to name one. Monday is market day with huge selection.” Also a farm food market on Thursday.

Castelnaudary: Home of cassoulet. “Thirty-six kilometres west of Carcassonne, on the main road from Toulouse, Castelnaudary is one of those innumerable French country towns that boast no particular sights but are nonetheless a real pleasure to spend a couple of hours in, having coffee or shopping for a picnic in the market.”

Tuesday Market Days

Olonzac: “Olonzac market on Tuesday is also very good.” Olonzac is the market town for the Minervois wine region. “Olonzac, capital of the Minervois, is a thriving town with many restaurants, cafes & bars, patisseries, boulangeries, delicatessens and regional specialty stores. An extensive market is held every Tuesday morning where you can obtain the finest local produce of vegetables, poultry, meats, cheeses and wine.” “There is a wonderful Tuesday market in Olonzac, one of the biggest and best in the area. The market fills the main boulevard and winds up the narrow streets to fill the iron-roofed square in the heart of the ancient village. Displaying colourful goods and filled with the aromas of fresh foods and spices it is always a treat. The stall owners are a friendly group as are the town's people. Flea markets and antique sales are regular events.”

Wednesday Market Days

“Lezignan Corbieres has a large market on a Wednesday morning – closes at 12. It has a mix of clothes/shoes etc (if you like that sort of thing), large choice of vegetables, fruit, spices, cheese, sausages, olives etc & a good fish section. You will also find a few stalls that sell the “Provence type” tablecloths/placemats as well as stalls selling materials of that type – if you like sewing.”