CHÂTEAU StPIERRE de SERJAC WELCOME We hope you have a really great stay at Château St Pierre de Serjac and to help make sure you do, we’ve prepared this guest book. In the following pages you will find useful information about the Château and your accommodation, the surrounding villages, recommended restaurants, our favourite beaches, suggested days out, wine tasting and all sorts of other information to help you make the most of your break. If you’d like any advice on anything that isn’t covered in these pages, just ask. Our concierges have a lot of local knowledge, and will be more than happy to help. If there is anything about your accommodation or your visit that needs attention, or you feel can be improved, please do not hesitate to let us know and we will do our very best to help. Have a wonderful stay! ALL THE TEAM AT CHÂTEAU ST PIERRE DE SERJAC GUEST BOOK 1. INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................ 5 About Château St Pierre de Serjac Emergency numbers & assistance Essential information Making the most of your stay Getting around 6 7 8 10 11 2. YOUR ACCOMMODATION ........................................................................................................................................ 13 General information & housekeeping Air-conditioning & heating Plumbing The kitchen & barbecue Swimming pools Making telephone calls Sound and vision TV channels 14 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 3. CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS ........................................................................................................................................ 25 The Château & Estate The Restaurant & Bar Eating in Main Pool & Terrace Le Spa The Barbecue area Children Sports facilities Safety & neighbourliness Book your Event 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 36 4. WINE & WINE TOURISM ........................................................................................................................................ 37 Our Estate Wines Wine Tourism at Château St Pierre de Serjac St Pierre de Serjac Wine Discovery Day Visiting other Bonfils Estates Languedoc Wine Regions 38 39 40 41 42 Wineries near the Château 43 Corbières and Limoux 45 La Clape 46 St.Chinian47 5. THE LOCAL AREA ...................................................................................................................................... 49 Local villages Local towns – Pézenas Local towns – Béziers Favourite Restaurants Fun for children Rainy days Markets 50 53 56 59 64 66 67 6. BEACH LIFE ...................................................................................................................................... 69 Mediterranean beaches Lagoon beaches River & lake beaches 70 73 74 7. DAYS OUT ...................................................................................................................................... 77 A day on the Canal 78 St Chinian & Roquebrun 79 Cap d’Agde & Marseillan port 80 Narbonne, La Clape & Gruissan 81 Olargues & the Gorges d’Heric 82 Sète, Bouzigues & Marseillan 83 Montpellier84 St Guilhem & the Pont du Diable 85 Carcassonne & Bize-Minervois 86 Millau viaduct & Roquefort 87 Lagrasse & the Cathar castles 88 The foothills of the Pyrénées 89 Collioure & Perpignan 90 8. EXTRA INFORMATION ...................................................................................................................................... 91 Leaflets and order forms 4 1 INFORMATION About Château St Pierre de Serjac Emergency numbers & assistance Essential information Making the most of your stay Getting around 6 7 8 10 11 INFORMATION " ABOUT CHÂTEAU ST PIERRE DE SERJAC O ur vision for Château St Pierre de Serjac was to create a destination that blended the best aspects of traditional holiday options, eliminating the compromises that are so often a feature of vacation choices. And at the same time to offer outstanding value to our guests. Château St Pierre de Serjac is not a traditional hotel. Rather, like the best French wines, it is an ‘assemblage’ – a blend of complementary ingredients where we hope the final result offers more than the sum of the parts. SO WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT? THE AUTHENTIC CHARM AND CHARACTER OF A 19TH CENTURY ESTATE – spacious grounds surrounded by vines, with spectacular views. THE ATMOSPHERE AND SERVICE OF A PRIVATE CLUB – a relaxed atmosphere, attentive service but without the formality. 8 LUXURIOUS ‘FULL SERVICE’ HOTEL ROOMS – generously-sized rooms with king-sized beds and contemporary ‘Château’ decor. STYLISH AND SPACIOUS SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION – intimate, private and practical, air-conditioned and fully equipped for self-catering. AN ELEGANT RESTAURANT – locally sourced French cuisine with a distinctive Mediterranean accent, served in a informal and convivial atmosphere. GREAT FACILITIES – a 30m heated infinity pool and sun terraces, Cinq Mondes Spa, bar serving wines & cocktails, Masterclay tennis court, BBQs, boules court, bikes and sports equipment, kids’ club, high speed Wi-Fi, DVD library... KNOWLEDGEABLE CONCIERGE SERVICES – helping you get the most out of your stay. WHAT WON’T YOU FIND? A VERY FORMAL, TRADITIONAL 5-STAR HOTEL EXPERIENCE – the majority of our guests are looking for relaxed and understated luxury, with great service from local people in a casual atmosphere. ALL THE FEATURES OF A LUXURY HOTEL – We don’t provide room service in the self-catering properties for example, though we do offer a number of take-out food and drink options for self-catering guests. DAILY CLEANING AND LINEN CHANGES – in the self-catering accommodation linen is changed every 3-4 days and guests are required to empty their own bins and to leave the accommodation as they found it. Additional housekeeping services are available on request. Please see the General Info/Housekeeping section. 6 INFORMATION ABOUT CHÂTEAU ST PIERRE DE SERJAC INFORMATION " EMERGENCY NUMBERS & ASSISTANCE EUROPEAN EMERGENCY CALLS FROM ANY PHONE: 2 112 AMBULANCE (SAMU): 2 15 POLICE: 2 17 FIRE BRIGADE: 2 18 CHÂTEAU RECEPTION: 2 04 67 80 76 00 or 2 2000 from your room. Reception is open from 8am to 8pm. The restaurant staff are also available to help you during restaurant opening hours, generally until around 11pm. After 11pm, an emergency number is displayed on the Reception door. This number is for medical or other serious emergencies only. DOCTORS MAGALAS: CABINET ATHANASE ARQUÉ, Rue de la Paix, 34480 Magalas. 2 04 67 36 36 36 DR SARAH GIBBINS – 51 Avenue de la Coopérative, 34480 Magalas. 2 04 67 36 62 62. English doctor – available Monday-Friday (Wednesdays by appointment only). DR SAID – 51 Avenue de la Coopérative, 34480 Magalas. 2 04 67 36 62 62 PUISSALICON: DR FOURCADE – 128 Rue de la Promenade, 34480 Puissalicon. 2 04 67 36 00 17 POUZOLLES: DR ROMIEU – 1 Rue du Tap, 34480 Pouzolles. 2 04 67 24 60 55 POLICE GENDARMERIE – PÉZENAS 12 Chemin de Plaisance, 34120 Pézenas. 2 04 67 98 13 65 POLICE MUNICIPALE – MAGALAS 2 04 67 28 01 07 2 06 79 31 95 63 HOSPITAL & EMERGENCY SERVICES POLYCLINIC SAINT PRIVAT Rue de la Margeride, Boujan-sur-Libron. 2 04 67 35 46 00 The Polyclinic Saint Privat is a new, modern hospital with a 24-hour emergency department. Do not worry about costs, insurance etc. Medical care is very inexpensive and extremely high quality. The hospital is a 20-minute drive from the Château and easy to find. Take the road to Pouzolles, then follow the D15 towards Béziers. Take the last exit off the roundabout at the bottom of the D15. 7 INFORMATION EMERGENCY NUMBERS & ASSISTANCE INFORMATION " ESSENTIAL INFORMATION OPENING HOURS Reception is open from 8am–8pm. If you need help or assistance outside of these hours please speak to the Restaurant staff. To call Reception dial 2000. OUT OF HOURS CONTACT When Reception is closed, please call the main Château telephone number 2 + 33 (0)4 67 80 76 00 (or 2 2000 from your accommodation) to leave a message. In an emergency, you can call the number which is listed on the Reception entrance door. This number is for medical or other serious emergencies only. CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT You can check-in any time after 4pm, and check-out by 11am. Remember that there are likely to be guests arriving after you, so please respect the check-out time. If you need to check-out before 8am, please let us know and we will organise your account the evening before, before 8pm. As your accommodation is self-catering, we ask that you leave your property as you found it, with the kitchen clean, fridges and bins emptied. If you prefer to have someone do the final clean for you, this can be arranged at an additional charge. Please make arrangements for this service with Reception well in advance. ! KEYS Please keep your keys with you at all times during your stay at the Château, but remember to leave them at Reception at the end of your stay. PARKING When you arrive please use the main car park near the Château. Reception will tell you which is the closest car park to your accommodation when you check in. Crime is infrequent in the area but we advise that you lock your car and do not leave any valuables on display. POOL ALARMS – ACCOMMODATION N° 28 & 36 ONLY On arrival, your pool alarm will be activated and the siren will go off if anyone uses the pool without deactivating it first. The operating and security instructions are shown on a panel by your pools. Please read them carefully and turn the alarm off before you go swimming. POOL GATES – ALL OTHER PROPERTIES All other properties have gated pools and the security gate must remain shut at all times. To open the pool security gate, press down the button on top of the handle and turn the handle AT THE SAME TIME. Same procedure to close the gate. 8 INFORMATION ESSENTIAL INFORMATION INFORMATION " ESSENTIAL INFORMATION LAUNDRY & CLEANING With the exception of the Château room, all of the properties have a washing machine and clothes drying rack. A dry-cleaning service is available for hotel room guests. INTERNET All the accommodation at Château St Pierre de Serjac has complimentary WiFi access. There is also WiFi in the Bar and on the terraces. Please take into consideration that as we’re located in the countryside, internet access can sometimes be a little sporadic! For log on instructions please see the Sound & Vision section. MAIL & OFFICE SERVICES Incoming mail will be delivered to your property. Stamped outgoing mail can be left at Reception before 11am. Mail is collected daily. Reception also provides scanning and photocopying services. MAKING PHONE CALLS Mobile phone reception in the countryside can be tricky. The best reception is on the terrace at the top of the main staircase. For this reason we are happy to be able to offer you free telephone calls to many destinations from the phone in your accommodation (to landlines only, not mobiles). Please see the Making Phone Calls section for all the details. PETS Well-behaved pets are allowed in the self-catering accommodation. There is a 15€ supplement per pet. Pets are not allowed in the swimming pools, on the main pool terrace or in the Spa. Please ensure that your pet remains on a leash at all times when on the premises, other than when in your property. As a courtesy to other guests we do ask that you clean up after your pet, a 50€ soiling charge will be applied if this is not respected. Be aware that animals are not allowed on most of the region’s beaches between 9am and 5pm and that many do not allow them at any time during the summer months. SMOKING Smoking is not permitted in any of our accommodation. You are welcome to smoke outside but please ensure that all cigarettes are fully extinguished as they pose a fire risk to the surrounding vines. Also, please use the ashtrays provided. PAYMENT We accept Euros, French cheques, MasterCard and Visa of all types. Due to the high charges, we don’t accept American Express. For our American guests, please note that there are sometimes issues with American credit cards, so it’s a good idea to notify your bank that you will be using your card in France. 9 INFORMATION ESSENTIAL INFORMATION INFORMATION " MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR STAY THE BLACKBOARD At the main entrance to the Château Reception there is a blackboard where we give daily weather updates, traffic information and suggestions of things to do and places to go – both at the Château and in the surrounding area. It would be a shame to miss a wine tasting at St Pierre or a local festival – so do keep an eye on the board! THE CONCIERGE SERVICE The Languedoc is full of hidden gems. But as with most destinations, sometimes local inside knowledge is required, and many of the best places and the most interesting local events, attractions and itineraries are to be found away from the tourist haunts. From restaurant recommendations to walking itineraries, chefs to chauffeurs, our multilingual team can give you suggestions or make reservations to ensure you experience the very best the region has to offer. If you happen to discover somewhere new and exciting, be it a new restaurant, an unusual swimming spot or any other activity to do that other guests will enjoy, please tell us about it. 10 INFORMATION MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR STAY INFORMATION " GETTING AROUND TAXIS Taxis are available and can take you anywhere, but be aware they are expensive compared to most European cities. If you’d like to book a taxi, please ask at Reception as we can also advise you on the best transport solution to meet your needs. TOWN CARS For longer travel distances, you may prefer a higher level of comfort. We have contacts with various luxury transport providers. Please ask Reception for a quote. MINIBUS TRANSFERS AND TOURISM We can organise transport for up to eight people in an air-conditioned minibus. It is also possible to hire a bus with a driver to visit various tourist destinations, well worth doing if you come without a car. FUN CAR HIRE You can hire a soft top Morgan roadster or a 2CV for a fun tour of the region. Or, for an authentic tour of the vineyards and wineries in the area we can organise a guide to take you around, introduce you to the winemakers and of course, taste the wines. Bookings should be made well in advance, so do please ask at Reception as soon as possible if you would like to make a reservation. 11 INFORMATION GETTING AROUND 12 2 YOUR ACCOMMODATION General information & housekeeping 14 Air-conditioning & heating 17 Plumbing18 The kitchen & barbecue 19 Swimming pools 20 Making telephone calls 21 Sound and vision 22 TV channels 23 YOUR ACCOMMODATION " GENERAL INFO/HOUSEKEEPING HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES IN SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION Self-catering accommodation at the Château operates differently from a hotel. On arrival your property is prepared with the beds made, and towels/pool towels provided. Please bring your pool towels back to your property to dry between each use. We carry out a change of linen service every three to four days but we ask that our guests leave their accommodation in the same clean and tidy state as they find it i.e. empty fridges, wipe down surfaces, run the dishwasher, ensure appliances and equipment are clean and take rubbish out to the bins at the Château entrance. The housekeeping service every three to four days included in your accommodation price includes: " Fresh towels " Restock and clean bathrooms " Change bed linen " Beds made As part of our commitment to the environment, if a linen change is due on the day before your departure, then bed linen will not be changed. EXTRA HOUSEKEEPING AVAILABLE ON REQUEST If you’d prefer, we have a choice of housekeeping services available at an additional charge. Please note that advance booking is required to ensure that we have sufficient housekeeping staff available for you. Bedroom & Bathroom: Studio accommodation 2 bedroom accommodation 3 bedroom accommodation 4 bedroom accommodation 22€ per day 44€ per day 59€ per day 74€ per day Restock and clean bathrooms " Empty bins " Clean floors " Make beds (no linen change) " Fold towels (no towel change) " Dust furniture " Full Housekeeping: Studio accommodation 2 bedroom accommodation 3 bedroom accommodation 4 bedroom accommodation 36€ per day 67€ per day 86€ per day 114€ per day Restock and clean bathrooms " Empty bins " Clean floors " Make beds (no linen change) " Fold towels (no towel change) " Dust furniture " Clean surfaces " Tidy rooms " Load dishwasher " Clean kitchen " 14 YOUR ACCOMMODATION GENERAL INFO/HOUSEKEEPING YOUR ACCOMMODATION " GENERAL INFO/HOUSEKEEPING EXTRA LINEN CHANGE SERVICE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST Self-catering guests may have their linen changed more frequently at an additional charge. Again please remember to book this service in advance. EXTRA LINEN CHANGE SERVICE: (38€/Double bed, 24€/Twin Bed) " Restock welcome products " Deliver fresh towels & bed linen and make beds " Does not include cleaning HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES IN HOTEL ROOMS All hotel rooms include a full housekeeping service on a daily basis. IN ADDITION, EVERY 3 DAYS THE STAFF WILL: " Provide clean bathroom towels " Change bed linen WASTE DISPOSAL & RECYCLING Please remember that your waste should be put out regularly and before your departure. Please recycle using the bins provided. It’s very important that your bin bags are properly sealed as open bags quickly attract flies and generate unpleasant smells. The bins are located at the entrance to the Château. BROWN CONTAINER: Located inside the waste disposal area is for general waste in sealed bin bags. YELLOW CONTAINER: Located outside the waste disposal area is for paper, plastic and cans. No bag needed, but items should be rinsed out. GREEN CONTAINER: Located outside the waste disposal area is for glass bottles. Cardboard packaging can be left folded inside the waste disposal area on the right. ! FIRE EXTINGUISHERS In the Château building, fire extinguishers are located in the hallway on every floor. All the other properties each have a smoke alarm and a fire extinguisher, generally stored under the sink. For your safety, please ensure that you and all occupants familiarise yourselves with the location and functioning of the fire extinguishers at the start of your stay. ELECTRICITY Voltage: 220 Volts. Adapters are available from Reception. 15 YOUR ACCOMMODATION GENERAL INFO/HOUSEKEEPING YOUR ACCOMMODATION " GENERAL INFO/HOUSEKEEPING STARTER PACKS ON YOUR ARRIVAL IN EACH SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION YOU'LL FIND A STARTER PACK OF BASIC ESSENTIALS. THIS INCLUDES: Salt, pepper, oil, vinegar, tea coffee pods, sugar, dishwasher tabs, washing machine tabs, washing-up liquid, toilet roll, bin bag, cleaning sponge... Feel free to use these up but then stock up on your own supplies at the local shops. If you are short of something and the shops are closed, drop by Reception to see if they can help. MINI-BAR In the hotel rooms you will find a soft drinks and Estate wine mini-bar. Selfcatering guests also have a selection of Estate wines in their accommodation. Please help yourselves, noting what you have drunk on the form which should be given to reception on checkout. If you need replenishments just let Reception know what you require using the form at the back of this Guest book. DRY-CLEANING SERVICE We offer a dry-cleaning service for our guests. Prices are available at Reception and on the form which you'll find at the back of the Guest book. As this service is out-sourced, please leave your clothes to be cleaned at Reception, together with a dry-cleaning form. If your clothes are left before 10am, they will be ready for collection the next day from 10am onwards (except Sundays and bank holidays). If they are left with us after 10am, then please leave 2 days before collection. HELP PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT To save energy, please turn your air-conditioning off when you leave your accommodation. It will cool back down very quickly when you return. Heating can be left on at a comfortable temperature. Please close your windows when using the air-conditioning. The locals keep their homes cool in summer by closing the windows and shutters during the day to keep the heat out, and opening them during the night to let the cooler air in. This works surprisingly well, especially in a building like ours that has nice thick walls. Please also remember to turn off your terrace lights during the day – it’s still on if you can see a thin orange light on the switch! 16 YOUR ACCOMMODATION GENERAL INFO/HOUSEKEEPING YOUR ACCOMMODATION " AIR-CONDITIONING & HEATING AIR-CONDITIONING & HEATING The air-conditioning units in each house or apartment are ‘reversible’, providing both air-conditioning and heating. The temperature and speed of the fan can be set using the digital keypad. TO TURN THE AIR-CONDITIONING ON OR OFF, press the power button TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE use the up or down arrows TO INCREASE THE FAN SPEED, press the fan button USE THE ‘MODE’ BUTTON to switch from air-conditioning (Snowflake) to heating (Sun). You shouldn’t need to touch this. In summer, the air-conditioning will be set to cool (22°) on your arrival. In winter the heating will have been set to a comfortable temperature. We recommend that you maintain this temperature and simply turn the air-con on or off as required. ! Setting the temperature too cold (for example to 17°) to make the accommodation cool down more quickly will make the air-conditioning seem as if it’s broken! The system will put all of its energy into cooling down the room where the master (digital) control is located, and will shut down the fans in all of the other rooms. Leaving the temperature set at 22°, the cool air will be distributed evenly throughout your accommodation. If you want the rooms cooler, turn down the temperature by one or two degrees at a time. Of course windows should be closed while the air-conditioning is running. MASTER (DIGITAL) CONTROL POWER TEMPERATURE & FAN SPEED 17 YOUR ACCOMMODATION AIR-CONDITIONING & HEATING YOUR ACCOMMODATION " PLUMBING PLUMBING The plumbing network at Château St Pierre de Serjac is connected to an ecological waste water treatment and disposal plant. It is environmentally friendly and works well, but it is sensitive to non-biodegradable materials. As such we ask that you dispose of all sanitary items – including baby wipes, contraceptives and feminine hygiene products – in the bins provided and not in the W.C. The treatment plant is also very sensitive to oils so we ask you not to dispose of oils (such as cooking oil) down the sink. The best way to dispose of them is to drain them into a bowl, allow them to solidify, then scrape them into the bin. Your co-operation on the above is essential to ensure that we minimise our chemical impact on the surrounding environment and ensure our plant functions efficiently. We would appreciate your cooperation in not leaving taps running unnecessarily and generally using water with care. USING THE SHOWERS In almost all cases, one of the taps (or levers) controls the temperature (cold to the right, hot to the left), while the other controls the strength of the flow. Turn the tap (or lever) left (or up) for the shower head, and right (or down) for the flexible hand-held shower. USING THE BATH In almost all cases, the ‘cross head’ tap controls temperature. One of the levers activates the bath spout, while the other activates the shower head and flexible hand-held shower. Turn the lever one direction for the shower head, and the other for the flexible hand-held shower. PLUG HOLES The plugs in the sinks differ but if you can't work out how to open or close a plug, then it's probably a ‘push button’ – press on it and it will pop up! FUNNY SMELL? Occasionally in times of prolonged heat, if you have not been using your sinks, washing machine or dishwasher, there can be a smell of stagnant water. This is because the water barrier in the siphon has evaporated. All you need to do is turn on the tap(s), or run the dishwasher or washing machine on a rinse cycle; the barrier will be restored and the smell will disappear. Of course, if it does not, please let Reception know. 18 YOUR ACCOMMODATION PLUMBING YOUR ACCOMMODATION " THE KITCHEN & BARBECUE KITCHENS We have equipped our kitchens with everything you might need to take advantage of the great local produce. You will find a complete list of the equipment provided on the inventory list. If there is anything missing or you find anything broken, please let Reception know as soon after your arrival as possible so we can replace the item. Please refer to the check-in/check-out procedure that you were given on arrival. We ask guests to keep appliances clean and serviceable after use. All operating instruction booklets are kept together in a drawer near the oven. THE OVEN Most of the ovens have two dials – one for the cooker setting (grill, oven, fanassisted oven etc.) and the other for temperature. Please make sure that your oven is left clean on your departure. N.B. In the unlikely event of a power cut some ovens will not function afterwards until the clock is reset. Please contact Reception if you have problem doing this. THE COFFEE MACHINE Your accommodation is equipped with a Nespresso machine and a starter pack of coffee pods. Fill the water reservoir at the back with cold water. Pull the handle on the top up, drop in a coffee pod and pull the handle back down. Put a cup under the spout. Press one of the buttons on top (it will blink during the preheating phase). When the light stops blinking, press the button for whichever size of cup you’d like, and the coffee will be served. If not used after 9 minutes the machine it will go into “sleep mode”. Please ensure you clean the machine properly after use. BARBECUES All properties with gardens at the Château are equipped with Weber barbecues. Charcoal and firelighters are available from the Intermarché in Magalas. Depending on availability, we may have a supply of charcoal or vine wood – just ask at Reception. The use of liquid BBQ lighter fluid is strictly prohibited for safety reasons. ! BARBECUE SAFETY The Languedoc is hot, dry and windy, so please take extra care when using the barbecue to avoid positioning it close to flammable materials or plants, and also avoid making the fire too big. If you get into trouble, a fire extinguisher is provided in your accommodation. We ask that you clean your barbecue properly after each use and thoroughly before departure. Failure to do so may result in an additional cleaning charge. 19 YOUR ACCOMMODATION THE KITCHEN & BARBECUE YOUR ACCOMMODATION " SWIMMING POOLS POOL ALARMS – ACCOMMODATION N° 28 & 36 ONLY On arrival, your pool alarm will be activated – the siren will go off if anyone uses the pool without deactivating it first. Prior to your arrival, we will have checked that your pool alarm is in working order. If you find this not to be the case, please let Reception know immediately. POOL GATES – ALL OTHER PROPERTIES All other properties have gated pools and the security gate must remain shut at all times to prevent children gaining access without an adult present. ! POOL SECURITY ACCOMMODATION N° 28 & 36 ONLY – under French law, the person in residence is responsible for ensuring that the pool alarm is both functioning and turned on. This also applies when you are not physically present in the property – for example when you are out for the day. As such it is essential that you are vigilant in your use of the pool alarm. The operating and security instructions are shown on a panel by the pool in each property with a private pool. Please read them carefully. To preserve the tranquility of the Domaine, please also remember to turn the alarm off before you go swimming. POOL CLEANING All the pools at Château St Pierre de Serjac are cleaned regularly. Please note the maintenance team will need to pass discreetly through your garden to do this. POOL HEATING All the pools at Château St Pierre de Serjac are heated. The heating is generally set to 28°. However as with all outdoor swimming pools, the temperature will vary according to ambient weather conditions, and the pools will cool somewhat when the nights are cold or if there are cold winds, meaning that the water temperature cannot be guaranteed. The private pools are equipped with heat pumps which heat the water to between 22° and 28°, but again this cannot be guaranteed. ACCESS TO THE MAIN POOL The pool is in front of the Château and it is open from 9am to 9pm. NO DIVING The private pools are shallow and diving is not permitted. 20 YOUR ACCOMMODATION SWIMMING POOLS YOUR ACCOMMODATION " MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS Using a mobile phone may have become an indispensable part of our daily lives but as we are in the countryside, phone reception at the Château can sometimes be intermittent. The best mobile phone reception is on the terrace at the top of the main staircase. For this reason we are happy to be able to offer you free telephone calls to many destinations from the phone in your accommodation. Any charges for calls to destinations which are not free will be added to your final bill. COSTS FOR CALLS: TARIFF NOTE PER MINUTE France – fixed line Free France – mobile Free Europe – Fixed line Free Azores, Germany, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Hungary, Finland, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Iceland, Italy and the Vatican, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Romania, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic Europe – Mobile 0.40€ Other Europe – Fixed line 0.43€ DESTINATION Other Europe – mobile USA – Fixed lines 0.67€ Free USA – mobiles 0.40€ Rest of world – Africa 0.86€ Rest of world – Central America 1.12€ Rest of world – South America 0.62€ Rest of world – Asia zone 1 0.40€ Rest of world – Asia zone 2 1.05€ Excluding Alaska and Hawaii Australia, Azerbaidjan, China, South Korea, UAE, Georgia, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kirghizistan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Palesting, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Tadjikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkmenistan TO CALL ANOTHER SELF-CATERING PROPERTY: 2 22 + the 2-digit property N° e.g. to call house N° 3, dial 22 03, to call house N° 16, dial 22 16 TO CALL A HOTEL ROOM: 2 21 + the 2 last digits of the room number e.g. to call hotel room N° 4, dial 21 04 21 YOUR ACCOMMODATION MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS YOUR ACCOMMODATION " SOUND & VISION TV Your TV has a full range of French and English TNT / freeview channels. If there is any problem with reception, please let us know. Weather depending, the signal may change and some channels may not work as well. Certain channels are encrypted and will only work during 'free' periods (e.g. Canal + Sport). DVD LIBRARY We have a large DVD library with titles to suit all tastes for children and adults. You’ll find them in the Reception main hall. Feel free to borrow a DVD, but please return it when you’ve finished with it, so that other guests can also take advantage of this facility. Please let us know if any of the DVDs are not working. MUSIC Every property is equipped with Yamaha Bluetooth speakers, allowing you to connect your phone or music player. WIRELESS INTERNET All accommodation at Château St Pierre de Serjac has complimentary Wi-Fi access, as does the Bar and the terraces. TO LOG ON: " Choose the network ‘DOMAINE_SERJAC' " The navigator (Safari or equivalent) will open a new page (if it doesn't open automatically open your browser) " click on Connection at the bottom of this page " The system will log you out after 30 minutes of inactivity. As a courtesy to guests who are relaxing in the Spa, the use of telephones and multimedia equipment is not permitted there. Time to switch off! 22 YOUR ACCOMMODATION SOUND & VISION YOUR ACCOMMODATION " TV CHANNELS 1. TF1 23. NUMERO 23 84. TINY POP 2. FRANCE 2 24. RMC DECOUVERTE 85. POP + 1 3. FRANCE 3 25. CHERIE 25 86. E4 4. CANAL + 26. LCI 87. MORE4 5. FRANCE 5 27. TV SUD Montpellier 88. ITV 6. M6 41. *PARIS PREMIERE 89. ITV 2 7. ARTE 42. *CANAL+SPORT 90. ITV4 8. D8 43. *CANAL+CINEMA 91. ITV BE 9. W9 44. *PLANETE+ 92. CNN INT 10. TMC 70. BBC1 93. TVE 11. NT1 71. BBC2 94. CANAL 24 HORAS 12. NRJ12 72. BBC4 95. CANAL 24 A 13. LCP 73. BBC RB1 96. DW 14. FRANCE 4 74. 5 STAR 97. RTL AUSTRIA 15. BFM TV 76. 5 USA 98. EUROSPORT DE 16. i TELE 77. CHANNEL 5 + 24 99. DAS ERSTE 17. D17 78. SPIKE 18. GULLI 79. CBBC 101. RAI 1 19. FRANCE O 80. BBC NEWS 102. RAI 2 20. HD1 81. ETV6 103. RAI 3 21. L'EQUIPE 21 82. CHANNEL 4+1 104. RAI NEWS 24 22. 6TER 83. POP 100. EURONEWS *Encrypted channels 23 YOUR ACCOMMODATION TV CHANNELS 24 3 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS The Château & Estate The Restaurant & Bar Eating in Main Pool & Terrace Le Spa The Barbecue area Children Sports facilities Safety & neighbourliness Book your Event 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 36 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " THE CHÂTEAU & ESTATE THE CHÂTEAU Originally the home of the vineyard’s owner and his family, the Château now houses the Reception, Concierge service, Restaurant and Bar. The Château building is the heart of communal life at St Pierre, and it’s a stylish and convivial space for eating, drinking and relaxing with your fellow guests. THE BAR Downstairs in the original Château drawing room is the comfortable Bar, complete with its 19th century fireplace and relaxed vibe, where you can enjoy our estate wines or a cocktail. Large double doors lead out onto sunny terraces with outdoor lounging areas overlooking the pool and the vineyards, the perfect spot for an evening aperitif. The Bar is open from 12pm onwards. DVDS, GAMES AND LIBRARY A collection of DVDs and books can be found in the Reception main hall. Feel free to take a DVD to your accommodation, but please return it after viewing (not at the end of your stay!) We also have a selection of games available. Enjoy a good game, but please bring them back when you have finished so that someone else can play. For the books we run a ‘take one/leave one’ policy so the choice is constantly changing. THE GROUNDS The Château St Pierre de Serjac estate occupies an elevated 200-acre site with uninterrupted views of rolling vineyards, olive groves and woodlands, perfect for a gentle stroll, bike ride or a run along one of the trails. Around the Château there are several tiered terraces set in beautifully manicured, aromatic gardens, all equipped with comfortable seating so that you can relax and admire the views. THE KITCHEN GARDEN Near to the small wood on the estate, we have planted a kitchen garden where our Chefs pick their fresh vegetables and herbs for the Restaurant. ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG St Pierre de Serjac was originally the site of a Roman villa and next door to the kitchen garden you'll find large sand pits where if they are lucky, kids might find some real Roman pottery that has been found on the estate. Rakes and spades are provided beside the dig. EVENTS VENUE Above the winery is a large event space which can host up to 200 people. It's been designed for fabulous parties, weddings and business events and it's also where the Kid's Club is held in the summer. 26 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS THE CHÂTEAU & ESTATE CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " THE RESTAURANT & BAR The Restaurant is run by our chefs David Galtier and Frank Pujol. They serve lovingly prepared Mediterranean cuisine using only fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes with the seasons to take advantage of the best the markets have to offer. You can eat in the original Château dining room with its glamorous but relaxed atmosphere, or on the terraces overlooking the vineyards. Choose from the à la carte menu with daily specials or indulge in the Chef’s set menu. There is also a kid’s menu. BREAKFAST The breakfast buffet is available from 8am–10.30am, with great coffee, juices, fresh croissants and breads, artisan jams, cereals, yoghurts, eggs, ham, cheeses and fresh fruit. The buffet is served in the Restaurant but you are welcome to eat out on the terrace if you’d prefer – 18€ per adult, 12€ per child. Hotel guests can order breakfast to be served in their rooms. If you prefer to have breakfast in your accommodation, fresh bread and pastries can be ordered at reception for collection the next day from 8.30am onwards. LUNCH & DINNER Lunch is served on the terraces or in the Restaurant. In summer the emphasis is on fresh, light lunches with salads and club sandwiches. There is also a menu of the day (served from Monday to Saturday), which changes every week and offers a more traditional French lunch. Menu of the day: 20€ per person (starter + main, or main + dessert) or 25€ per person (starter + main + dessert). The dinner menu offers a distinctive pan-Mediterranean accent, drawing inspiration not only from the South of France but also from nearby Catalonia and Italy, as well as further Mediterranean reaches. All the dishes are firmly based on local seasonal ingredients, including seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs from the estate gardens and orchards. The wine list majors on Bonfils wines produced across their 23 Châteaux and Estates. However, our commitment to showcasing the Languedoc as a quality wine region is demonstrated via an outbound selection of wines from across the territory. Please note the restaurant does fill up, so to avoid disappointment, please make a reservation. In summer we have a continuous afternoon service until 6pm. Our Terrace menu offers salads, sandwiches, burgers, ice creams, afternoon tea and drinks. OPENING HOURS Buffet breakfast: Lunch: Dinner: 8am–10.30am 12pm–last orders 2pm from 7pm, last orders 9.30pm ADDITIONAL SUMMERTIME OPENING HOURS Pool service: Terrace menu: Kids’ dinner: 11am–6pm 12pm–6pm 6pm–7pm (see the Children’s section for details.) 27 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS THE RESTAURANT & BAR CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " EATING IN For those who love to cook, every property at Château St Pierre de Serjac has a fully-equipped kitchen. If your kitchen is missing anything you need, please let us know and we’ll try to supply it. Order forms for all the services below are available at reception or in the back of this Guest book. MORNING CROISSANTS & BREAD Our chefs prepare freshly baked warm bread and a selection of viennoiserie daily. Simply place your order at reception the evening before and come and collect your breakfast from 8.30am the next morning. BARBECUE PACKS The Restaurant kitchen provides carefully selected barbecue packs of ready-tocook meats – steaks, spicy sausages, burgers and chicken – sourced from the best local butchers. Charcoal can be bought at the local Intermarché in Magalas or ask reception if they have any spare. Or why not collect your own vine branches for your BBQ, they are lying all around the estate and give your meat a great flavour. PICNIC BASKETS There are some very pretty picnic spots in the area around the Château. Order the day before and we will provide picnic baskets (backpacks actually) with integrated coolers, fully stocked with chilled wine, cheese, sandwiches and other picnic delicacies of your choice. More details are available at Reception. Grab a bike and you’re off... PIZZA ORDERS If you don’t feel like cooking or you want to feed the kids before going out, just place your pizza order before 5pm and you can come and pick them up between 7.30 and 8pm. Order forms are available at Reception. 28 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS EATING IN CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " MAIN POOL & TERRACE OPENING HOURS The main pool is open from 9am and is heated from April to October to about 28°C. ! POOL SUPERVISION Please note the pool is unsupervised and children must always be accompanied by an adult while they are at the pool area. Children are under the responsibility of their parents at all times. The railings around the pool meet security regulations for children and the gate must always be left closed to prevent them from entering the pool area alone. The pool is not particularly deep, so diving is not permitted. KIDS AT THE POOL Kids will be kids for sure, but out of respect for other guests, we do ask you to ensure that noise is kept to an acceptable level. Please note that the interior surface of the pool has an anti-slip finish. Kids who spend hours in the pool, and who rub their feet repeatedly against the bottom may experience some grazing due to soft skin on the anti-slip surface. For safety and the convenience of fellow guests, we also ask that parents do not allow kids to use large pool toys in the water. POOLSIDE BAR SERVICE There is a poolside bar service from 11am–6pm throughout the summer. For safety reasons, only plastic glasses can be used. At other times of the year, please order your drinks from the Bar or Restaurant. Eating is not allowed by the pool and we ask you to kindly remove all litter from the pool area and place it in the bins provided. POOL TOWELS Pool towels (the beige ones) are provided in your room, and we request you keep them with you and not leave them at the pool. They will be changed with the rest of your linen, every three to four days. The towels provided are for use only at St Pierre de Serjac. Please do not take them to the beach. We may have to charge if towels are damaged or badly stained (self-tan oil is the main culprit!) You can buy beach wraps at the Spa for 20€ to take out with you. 29 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS MAIN POOL & TERRACE CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " LE SPA Le Spa at St Pierre de Serjac is a tranquil oasis for relaxation, revitalisation, wellness and beauty. A serene and sensual sanctuary, our elegant facility, created in collaboration with Cinq Mondes Spa Paris, offers an extensive range of salon quality facial and body treatments using natural and organic products. Le Spa facilities include a sun-filled indoor/outdoor solarium featuring a 12m heated swimming pool, aromatherapy hammam and sauna, relaxation area, jacuzzi, fitness area and four treatment rooms (including one for couples). Outside, the generous terrace and aromatic gardens have secluded cocoon-like double loungers positioned to make the most of the views over the vineyard. Choose from the range of massages, scrubs and wraps, hammam rituals, facials, and beauty treatments available, or have your nails and make-up done. The Spa is open to guests over the age of 16. Teenagers between 16 and 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. OPENING HOURS: 1st June–30th September: 9am–9pm, 7 days a week 1st October–31st May: 10am–8pm, Wednesday–Sunday inclusive. Full day use of all Spa facilities is free of charge with all treatments lasting 50 minutes or more. Residential guests may use the Spa for 18€ per day without treatments. Please see the brochure at the back of this Guest book for a full list of treatments available and take note of the recommended health guidelines before using the Spa. To make a booking please call Le Spa on 2 04 67 80 75 45. 30 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS LE SPA CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " BARBECUE AREA The barbecue area next to the Château is a great place for socialising. There are two barbecues, tables and all the equipment needed to rustle up a meal. Beside the barbecue area there is a boules court, where you can while away a couple of lazy hours practising your skills – boules are provided. USING THE BARBECUES Please let Reception know if you are planning on using the barbecue area. The regular barbecues are used in the normal way, with charcoal, firelighters and matches; please bring your own as we don’t provide them for fire safety reasons. Charcoal is available at the Intermarché in Magalas. ! FIRE SAFETY Please ensure the barbecue is put completely out before you leave the area. For this reason, we suggest you do not build too big a fire! Do not use the barbecues if it is particularly windy, as the risk of sparks igniting a fire is significant. Please note that the use of liquid BBQ lighter fluid is not permitted. In the event of an emergency, there is a fire extinguisher at the barbecue area. Please let Reception know immediately of any fire related issues or concerns. CLEANLINESS Please clean the barbecue area after use. We would appreciate it if you do not put any cooking oils down the sink – it clogs the pipes and compromises the water treatment plant. 31 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS BARBECUE AREA CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " CHILDREN Kids are both welcome and well looked after at Château St Pierre de Serjac. We believe that the formula for a great family holiday is simple: if the children have fun and make friends, their parents can usually have what they need most – relaxation and a little breathing space. THE KIDS’ CLUB To help make this happen, we run the Kids’ Club throughout July and August. The sessions are designed for the kids to have good old-fashioned fun at a wide range of activities focusing on nature, arts and crafts, sports, games and new experiences like the archeological dig! The club runs five days a week from Mondays to Fridays and is run by qualified, friendly, bilingual staff (French and English). The Kids’ club is open to children aged four to 12 years. Children under four are not permitted for legal reasons. Blocks of session tickets can be shared by children in the same family. Morning session: Afternoon session: 9.30am–12pm 2.30pm–5pm Places must be booked in advance. 125€ for five sessions 200€ for ten sessions As we have a strict ratio of children to staff we cannot guarantee places if you have not booked in advance. If you have not already booked, please check with Reception to see if there are still places available. 32 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS CHILDREN CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " CHILDREN KIDS’ DINNER Monday to Friday evenings in July and August we host a supervised kids’ dinner party. With a menu that is both healthy and fun to eat, the dinner party lets kids get to know each other and allows you to take your time over a leisurely meal later in the evening. Kids’ dinner is 15€ and is served from 6 to 7pm. The menu is displayed on the blackboard. Please book at Reception by 5pm the same day. KIDS’ PARTIES There are also regular evening activities for children, which are advertised on the blackboard. Bookings can be made during the day for the same evening, so you don’t have to make your plans too far in advance. TOYS & GAMES Toys and games are available on request from Reception (subject to availability). BABYSITTING We have a panel of reliable local babysitters. Arrangements to hire a babysitter can be made at Reception. Please note that the babysitters are not employees of the Château and you are contracting directly with them; they charge around 15€ per hour. It is a good idea to book your babysitter in advance wherever possible, as they do get busy. EQUIPMENT FOR BABIES & INFANTS We have a certain number of high chairs, travel cots etc. These are available to guests on a ‘first-reserved, first-served’ basis. There is also a steriliser, a baby bath, changing mats and a bottle warmer. Please note that the Château does not accept any liability for this equipment. Plastic plates and glasses are available in your accommodation, please let us know if you need any more. Intermarché in Magalas has a good range of nappies, baby food and other necessities for little ones. KIDS AT THE POOL As the pool is unsupervised, we ask you to keep a close eye on your children. YOUR CHILDREN ARE STRICTLY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AT ALL TIMES. 33 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS CHILDREN CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " SPORTS FACILITIES THE TENNIS COURT Our masterclay championship-sized court is free to use for guests and open from 9am. We also provide good quality rackets and balls, free of charge. To reserve a court, please book at Reception. Feel free to play whenever the court is free, but please understand that court priority is given to those who have made a booking. ! TENNIS COURT ETIQUETTE Clay court tennis has an etiquette similar to golf. Before and after using the court, please rake it using the 'drag rake' provided. Masterclay tennis courts are only playable when completely dry. Do not play on the court if it is wet in any way. This will cause serious damage and is very costly to address. We will be obliged to charge for damage caused by guests who play on a wet court. BOULES We don’t take bookings for the boules court. You’ll find the boules at Reception or by the court. BIKES We have lots of adult and children’s bikes which are free for our guests to use on a first reserved, first served basis. Just let Reception know when you are planning on taking bikes. To ensure that everyone gets to enjoy the bikes, please limit your trips to two hours at busy times. Also, please do let us know if there are any issues with the bikes. As they are in constant use, it is the only way we can ensure they are promptly repaired. PERSONAL TRAINERS To make the most out of your workouts, English and French speaking coaches are available to help you with your personal training and will even create a workout with you to suit your requirements. Please see Reception for details and bookings. 34 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS SPORTS FACILITIES CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " SAFETY & NEIGHBOURLINESS SAFETY Château St Pierre de Serjac is a safe environment. All fixtures and fittings throughout the estate have passed stringent French safety standards, including the height of barriers, locks, window protections, pool gates etc. There is very little traffic around the estate, beyond the coming and going of guests. The grounds also have clearly defined boundaries. However as with all large estates, these boundaries are passable and you do need to know where your children are at all times. The main swimming pool is only accessible through the child-proof security gate and our private pools either have security barriers or pool alarms, all of which meet French safety standards. Please note that alarms and other security features are not a substitute for parental supervision, and it is the responsibility of parents to look after their children at all times. GATES & ALARMS ! It is the responsibility of guests to ensure that all pool gates are kept closed and that private pool alarms are activated, even when you are not in the property (i.e. out for the day, evening). FIRE EXTINGUISHERS In the Château building, fire extinguishers are provided in the hallway on every floor. All the other accommodation is equipped with a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in the property. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the location and functioning of the fire extinguisher at the beginning of your stay. SECURITY Beyond the Château, the villages and surroundings are generally very safe (watch out for Mediterranean style driving!), and while normal precautions against petty crime are advisable, serious crime is extremely rare. GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS Out of consideration for other guests, please keep noise to a minimum after 10pm. If the party is still going on after this time, we suggest you move it inside your accommodation or to the Caveau Bar! 35 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS SAFETY & NEIGHBOURLINESS CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS " BOOKING YOUR EVENT EVENTS VENUE Our events venue was originally the ‘quai de reception’ where the Château grapes were brought in from harvest. It's a unique space with high vaulted ceilings and huge wooden beams, walls decorated with the original 19th century blue prints of the estate and magnificent views over the vineyards. It's been perfectly set up for fabulous parties and weddings, as well as exhibitions, conferences, seminars or product launches. WEDDINGS Château St Pierre de Serjac is a wonderful place to celebrate your marriage with family and friends. This beautiful property, filled with history and magic is the perfect backdrop for a wedding and a superb setting for your photos. Our Events Managers will do everything possible to make your wedding truly exceptional. PRIVATE PARTIES A birthday, christening or family reunion... these are special occasions for getting together with friends and family. The team at Château St Pierre de Serjac will be happy to assist you in organising your private parties. SEMINARS & CORPORATE EVENTS If you would like to hold a seminar, team building exercise, training course, incentive meeting or any other business related event, we host group events at the Château from mid-September to mid-June. Please see the team at Reception to discuss your requirements. We offer flexible meeting spaces and break-out rooms, various accommodation options, a range of food and drink packages and a choice of wine-related and team building activities. Please contact our Business Events management team on 2 04 67 93 12 31. LAUNCHES, PHOTOSHOOTS With a magical setting and spectacular views, your shots will be unique. Product launches and press reviews are a regular occurrence at St Pierre and we can tailor our facilities to your needs. 36 CHÂTEAU & GROUNDS BOOKING YOUR EVENT 4 WINE & WINE TOURISM Our Estate Wines Wine tourism at Château St Pierre de Serjac St Pierre de Serjac Wine Discovery Day Visiting other Bonfils Estates Languedoc Wine Regions Wineries near the Château Corbières and Limoux La Clape St. Chinian 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 WINE & WINE TOURISM " OUR ESTATE WINES In continuous production since Roman times, wine is at the heart of Château St Pierre de Serjac, where both the cellars and the vines were fully restored between 2013 and 2016. The new range of Château St Pierre de Serjac wines is the fruit of a collaboration between Vignobles Bonfils and Domaine & Demeure and the first vintage will be bottled after the 2016 harvest. The state of the art winery is run by Laurent Bonfils and his team and their intention for St Pierre de Serjac is clear: to create iconic wines capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the very best offers from wine regions around the world. The winery has also been designed with our guests and visitors in mind – with a dedicated state of the art tasting room and a full programme of wine related activities, so that guests can immerse themselves in all aspects of the wine making process. In advance of the bottling of the 2016 vintage, wines from our different estates can be enjoyed in the Restaurant, Bar or from the mini-bar in your accommodation, with your purchases simply added to your bill, payable on check-out. Over the next few pages you'll find more information on our wines, as well as the Bonfils vineyards that can be visited in the area, and the best of the rest. 38 WINE & WINE TOURISM OUR ESTATE WINES WINE & WINE TOURISM " WINE TOURISM AT ST PIERRE Throughout the year we host regular tastings and events, designed to provide our guests with an insider’s view of Languedoc winemaking – the people, places, techniques and stories behind the wines. From planting to pruning, harvest to blending, bottling, ageing and tasting, our aim is to help you embark on a journey of discovery that will launch a lifetime’s interest. ‘Open to all’ events are held regularly throughout the year while bespoke itineraries are available on demand for groups of 4 or more. Just ask at Reception and we’ll be happy to help. Many of our events are guided by experienced, multilingual professionals, often Masters of Wine. ‘Big name’ guides/speakers are also available on request. Our wine events are posted on the information boards around the estate, as well as on our blog and our Facebook site. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR: " Our weekly Château Saint Pierre wine tasting (free, see the blackboard for dates throughout the summer) " Regular ‘Mets & Vins’ food & wine pairing dinners " Guided walks in the vines, an insight into the horticultural side of cultivating grapes " Regular visits to Vignobles Bonfils Estates (still, sparkling & sweet wines) " ‘Meet the Winemaker’ tastings with our own and the best local winemakers (every Thursday evening in the Bar, all year round) " ‘Discover the Languedoc’ whistle-stop tasting tour of the Languedoc’s appellations " Tasting master class - how to taste wine, how to get the best out of your wine " Full and half-day winemaking experiences – winery visits, tastings, harvesting, winemaking, bottling… " Wine & truffles and other themed wine pairing dinners and menus " ‘Les Vendanges’ harvest experience " Assemblage workshops – make your own wine (great team-building activity) We also organise visits to discover the extraordinary gastronomic heritage of the Languedoc, including visits to the Tabouriech oyster farm, reputed to produce the best oysters in the world, as well as visits to cheese farms, olive oil mills, truffle forests and lots of other interesting days out. Subscribe to the mailing list, keep an eye out on the board, and/or speak to Reception to organise a tailor-made programme. BESPOKE & GROUP ITINERARIES Our extensive knowledge and contacts across Languedoc’s winemaking world enables us to develop bespoke itineraries and events, including full accommodation/dining/tasting/discovery packages, just ask at Reception. 39 WINE & WINE TOURISM WINE TOURISM AT ST PIERRE WINE & WINE TOURISM " ST PIERRE WINE DISCOVERY DAY This one-day tour aims to give you a real insight into how wine is made by visiting different wineries of varying sizes and production methods. The first winery is Domaine Cibadiès where Château Les Carrasses wines are made. You’ll get to see the behind the scenes workings of this relatively large-scale winery, which is not normally open to the public. On the tour you’ll learn about the vines, the terroir, the climate and the history of the Languedoc’s love affair with wine. Dates for the tour will be posted on the information boards around the estate, as well as on our blog and our Facebook site. If you would like to arrange a particular date that suits you, just ask at Reception – we just need a minimum of 4 people to run a tour. " " " " " " 9.30AM PICK UP FROM THE CHÂTEAU VISIT TO DOMAINE DE CIBADIÈS Tour of the winery, including reception of the grapes, the machinery, the wine making process, overview of wine blending, visit to the bottling plant. BARGE TRIP WITH A ‘VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE LANGUEDOC’ WINE TASTING – a very civilised way to pass the rest of the morning. LUNCH AT THE SALINS DE GRUISSAN – our favourite oyster venue with views out over the salt pans. VISIT TO CHÂTEAU CAPITOUL Visit to the ‘chai à barriques’ to learn about barrel ageing, followed by a tasting of Capitoul wines on the panoramic terrace. 5:30PM RETURN TO ST PIERRE. PRICE 135€ per person including the winery visits, barge trip, tastings, lunch & transport. GUIDE This tour is hosted by Wendy Gedney, founder of Vin en Vacances, a wine expert who is particularly specialised in the wines of the Languedoc and the author of ‘The Wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon’. Whilst an acknowledged wine expert, Wendy’s tours are accessible and entertaining. She makes them interesting and fun and she is able to speak about wine at a level which suits every type of audience. 40 WINE & WINE TOURISM ST PIERRE WINE DISCOVERY DAY WINE & WINE TOURISM " VISITING OTHER BONFILS ESTATES Family winemakers since 1870, Jean-Michel Bonfils acquired his first 15 acres of vines in 1968 at Domaine du Lirou, not far away. Since then the family has emerged as a major actor on the international wine scene, with an enviable record of injecting oenological expertise and marketing know-how to revive struggling Châteaux and Estates. In the process, they have built a portfolio that now runs to 23 award winning properties – principally in the Languedoc but also with estates in the Bordeaux region and Spain. The company head office is located at Domaine de Cibadies, situated just a couple of kilometres from our 'sister' Château, Les Carrasses, and the Bonfils team are often to be found at St Pierre de Serjac. The following estates are currently open to the public for tastings and visits. Other estates can also be visited as part of a special tour – watch out for notices at the Château. CHÂTEAU CAPITOUL Route de Gruissan, 11100 Narbonne. GPS: 43.127846, 3.055864 Free tastings Monday to Saturday. Winery visits for groups of 4 subject to reservation 1st October to 30th April: Tuesday to Saturday 10am–1pm & 3pm–6pm May, June & September: Monday to Saturday 10am–1pm & 3pm–7pm July & August: Monday to Friday 10am–8pm; Saturdays & Sundays 10am–1.30pm & 2.30pm-7pm 2 04 68 49 23 30 c chateau-capitoul.com [email protected] CHÂTEAU L'ESPARROU Route de Saint-Cyprien, 66140 Canet-en-Roussillon. GPS: 42.688843,3.025998 Audio-guided walk in the vines, picnics in the vines, tastings, art exhibitions July & August: Monday to Saturday 10am–8pm; Sunday 10am–1pm & 3–6pm September to June: Every day except Sunday 9am–1pm & 3pm–6pm 2 04 68 73 30 93 cchateau-esparrou.com [email protected] MAISON SALASAR Le Village, 11260 Campagne-sur-Aude. GPS: 42.915931,2.205439 Free tastings Monday to Saturday Monday to Friday 8am–12pm & 2pm–6pm; Saturday 9am–12pm & 2pm–6pm 2 04 68 20 04 62 csalasar.fr [email protected] 41 WINE & WINE TOURISM VISTING OTHER BONFILS ESTATES WINE & WINE TOURISM " LANGUEDOC WINE REGIONS CHÂTEAU StPIERRE de SERJAC The Languedoc is unquestionably one of the most interesting wine regions in the world right now. A place where new hybrids grow side by side with ancient grape varieties and where some of the oldest vines known to man still survive. It’s also where innovation and a willingness to embrace outside trends comes together with more than two millennia of winemaking tradition. Add to this a huge array of soil types and a near perfect climate for grape growing, and you have all the ingredients necessary for producing an unrivalled variety of quality wines. Château St Pierre de Serjac is the perfect base to discover the diversity, experimentation and sheer verve that is synonymous with Languedoc winemaking. There are literally hundreds of wineries and a wealth of appellations to discover within an easy drive of the Château. Faugères and Pézenas are on our doorstep, while St. Chinian, Berlou, Picpoul de Pinet, La Clape, Terrasses du Larzac and the Minervois are all just a short drive. On the following pages you’ll find a selection of vineyards which are well worth a visit. 42 WINE & WINE TOURISM LANGUEDOC WINE REGIONS WINE & WINE TOURISM " WINERIES NEAR THE CHÂTEAU The Côteaux du Languedoc wine region is the largest in the Languedoc, stretching from Pic St-Loup north of Montpellier to La Clape near Narbonne. Some nearby wineries worth a visit are listed below. Don't hesitate to ask reception to book you in for a visit. DOMAINE DE L’ARJOLLE 7 bis, rue Fournier, 34480 Pouzolles Tastings, winery visits on reservation (see the ‘chai de 900 barriques’) OPENING HOURS: March to October: Monday to Saturday 9am–1pm & 1.30pm–6pm. November to February: Monday to Friday 9am–1pm & 1.30pm–6pm; Saturday 9am–1pm Reservation required for winery visits & groups [email protected] 2 04 67 24 81 18 c arjolle.com CHÂTEAU DE RAISSAC Route de Murviel, 34500 Béziers Tastings, winery visits OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday 9am–12pm & 2.30pm–6pm Reservation required on Saturdays 2 04 67 28 15 61 c raissac.com DOMAINE OLLIER TAILLEFER Route de Gabian, 34320 Fos OPENING HOURS FOR TASTINGS: Monday to Saturday 11am-12pm & 2.30pm-6pm Closed on Sundays and bank holidays. 2 04 67 90 24 59 c olliertaillefer.com 43 WINE & WINE TOURISM WINERIES NEAR THE CHÂTEAU WINE & WINE TOURISM " WINERIES NEAR THE CHÂTEAU DOMAINE SARABANDE 14 ancienne Route National, 34480 Laurens, GPS: 43.525657,3.187795 This is a very small-scale winery run by Paul and Isla Gordon, an Australian/ Irish couple. They have recently received a brilliant review by Robert Parker. OPENING HOURS: Reservation required (English speaking) [email protected] 2 09 63 68 22 68 c sarabande-wines.com DOMAINE DES TRINITES 6 chemin de l’Aire, 34320 Roquessels, GPS: 43.549834,3.221661 Tastings, winery visits OPENING HOURS: Reservation required (English speaking) 2 04 67 90 23 25 c trinites.com DOMAINE DE L’HORTE Domaine de l’Horte, 34480 Magalas Tastings, winery visits OPENING HOURS: Reservation required (English speaking) 2 06 32 40 32 34 2 2 06 74 92 27 31 c domainedelhorte.eu DOMAINE LA CROIX BELLE 160 avenue de la Gare, 34480 Puissalicon OPENING HOURS FOR TASTINGS: Monday to Friday 9am-12pm & 2pm-6pm; Saturdays 10.30am–12pm & 2.30pm–5.30pm Reservation required between 1st November and Easter and for winery tours (groups of 10+). English speaking. 2 04 67 36 27 23 c croix-belle.com CHÂTEAU GREZAN 909 route Départementale, 34480 Laurens OPENING HOURS FOR TASTINGS: Monday to Saturday 10am-7pm; closed 12pm-2pm in winter. Reservation required for winery tours. English speaking. 2 04 67 90 27 46 c château-grezan.fr 44 WINE & WINE TOURISM WINERIES NEAR THE CHÂTEAU WINE & WINE TOURISM " CORBIÈRES & LIMOUX A little further afield we have the Corbières region with some of the best reds in the Languedoc, and the Limoux, famous for sparkling wines and some great whites. They are completely separate wine regions but in terms of a drive, they both merit a full day out. DOMAINE SERRE MAZARD Cellier St Damien, 11220 Talairan, GPS: 43.049823,2.663841 Winery visits, tastings, guided walks in the garrigue (in French), theme days, wine courses OPENING HOURS: Every day 9am–7pm 2 04 68 44 02 22 c serres-mazard.com SIEUR D’ARQUES Avenue du Mauzac, 11303 Limoux Museum and tastings. Free for individuals Guided visits on reservation. 9€ per person including a bottle of blanquette OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 9.30am–12.30pm & 2.30pm–6.30pm Sundays (tastings only) 10.30am–12.30pm 2 04 68 74 63 45 c sieurdarques.com MAISON SALASAR Le Village, 11260 Campagne-sur-Aude, GPS: 42.915931,2.205439 Tastings OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday 8am–12pm & 2pm–6pm; Saturday 9am–12pm & 2pm–6pm 2 04 68 20 04 62 DOMAINE GAYDA Chemin de Moscou, 11300 Brugairolles, GPS: 43.118621, 2.162750 Restaurant, tastings OPENING HOURS FOR TASTINGS: Monday to Saturday 10am–5pm Closed Saturdays from October to May 2 04 68 31 64 14 c domainegayda.com 45 WINE & WINE TOURISM CORBIÈRES & LIMOUX WINE & WINE TOURISM " LA CLAPE On the coast just outside Narbonne is a new appellation called La Clape. The first vines in the Languedoc were planted here in Roman times. This used to be an island and it stands proud from the surrounding landscapes. The area has its own rugged beauty and the limestone soils produce some of the very best wines in the Languedoc. The soil is stony, the climate very dry and the wind from the sea ensures that moisture doesn’t linger on the vines, which reduces the risk of diseases and allows for a minimal use of pesticides. The typical grape variety in this region is the Bourboulenc, which thrives when it can see the sea! CHÂTEAU CAPITOUL Route de Gruissan, 11100 Narbonne, GPS: 43.127846,3.055864 Tastings and winery visits (reservation required) OPENING HOURS: 1st October to 30 April: Tues. to Sat. 10am–1pm & 3pm–6pm May, June & September: Monday to Saturday 10am–1pm & 3pm–7pm July & August: Mon. to Fri. 10am–8pm; Sat. & Sun. 10am–1.30pm & 2.30pm-7pm 2 04 68 49 23 30 c chateau-capitoul.com CHÂTEAU LE BOUIS Route Bleue, 11430 Gruissan Restaurant and tastings OPENING HOURS: Opening hours for tastings, summertime: Monday to Friday 10am–1pm & 3pm–7.30pm. 2 04 68 75 25 25 c chateaulebouis.fr CHÂTEAU CAMPLEZENS Chateau Camplazens, 11110 Armissan, GPS: 43.112996, 3.73683 Tastings, various options for winery visits for a minimum of 4 people. OPENING HOURS: Reservation required [email protected] 2 04 68 45 38 89 c camplazens.com 46 WINE & WINE TOURISM LA CLAPE WINE & WINE TOURISM " ST.CHINIAN The St. Chinian appellation includes the area of Roquebrun and Berlou. Between the Minervois and Faugères, the northern sector has schist soils while to the south the soils are clay and limestone. St. Chinian wines are powerful yet elegant, and whilst the area is best known for its red wines, the whites are starting to build a reputation. The Cave Cooperatives of St. Chinian and Roquebrun are some of the best around. Roquebrun’s cave coop has a great series of informative panels on wine-making. CAVE COOPERATIVE DE ROQUEBRUN Avenue des Orangers, 34460 Roquebrun, GPS: 43.49,93, 3.02,02 Free tasting and guided visits OPENING HOURS: May to September: every day 9am–1pm & 2pm–7pm October to April: 9am–12pm & 2pm–6pm 2 04 67 89 57 93 c cave-roquebrun.fr CAVE COOPERATIVE DE ST CHINIAN Route de Sorteilho, 34360 Saint-Chinian, GPS 43.427087,2.944281 Tastings OPENING HOURS: July & August: every day 9am–7pm September to June: 9am–12pm & 2pm–7pm October to April: 9am–12pm and 2pm–7pm 2 04 67 38 28 43 c vin-saintchinian.com DOMAINE RIMBERT 1 rue de l’Aire, 34360 Berlou Tastings and winery visits. English speaking OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 10am–12pm & 4pm–7pm Reservation required 2 04 67 89 74 66 c domainerimbert.com DOMAINE SACRE COEUR Av. St. Chinian, 34360 Assignan Tastings and winery visits. English speaking OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 9am–12.30pm & 2.30pm–7pm Reservation required 2 06 62 32 17 76 2 04 67 38 17 97 c domainedusacrecoeur.com 47 WINE & WINE TOURISM ST.CHINIAN 48 1 5 THE XXXXXX LOCAL AREA Local villages Local towns - Pézenas Local towns - Béziers Favourite restaurants Fun for children Rainy days Markets 50 53 56 59 64 66 67 THE LOCAL AREA " VILLAGES PUISSALICON, MAGALAS, POUZOLLES The Château is just a few minutes from the villages of Magalas, Pouzolles and Puissalicon. These traditional wine-making villages offer all the usual essential services like supermarkets, doctors and banks, markets, corner shops, bakers & butchers and countless wine domains. There are also a dozen or so restaurants, cafés and bars. Magalas offers the best facilities, most of them situated on Avenue de la Gare. It's a typical 11th century 'circulade' village, with narrow medieval streets winding round in circles to protect the centre, some with vaulted archways and others opening up onto pretty little squares. LANGUEDOC TIME Most shops close over lunchtime, usually from noon until 2pm. A lot of the shops in the local villages close at 12pm and re-open anytime between 3pm and 5pm. RESTAURANT OPENING HOURS The summer months are generally very busy, so it’s best to book a table for eating out. Reception will be happy to help by making reservations. It's best to arrive before 1.30pm for lunch and before 8.30pm for dinner. Some restaurants don’t accept credit cards – so do be prepared to pay in cash. BAKERIES There are some delicious bakeries in all of the villages, where you can pick up a tasty snack at anytime. If you’d like fresh croissants or bread in the morning, these can be ordered at Reception the day before. SUPERMARKETS There are two supermarkets in Magalas – Aldi and Intermarché. Both are in the commercial zone on the far side of the village on the D909 Route de Bédarieux. They are both open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am–7.30pm non-stop. There is also a new Super U in Roujan with a wider selection and good quality, fresh produce, it's an easy 10-minute drive from the Château. You'll find it in the Cap Caroux commercial zone on Avenue de Pézenas, open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am–8pm non-stop and Sundays from 9am–12.30pm. 50 THE LOCAL AREA VILLAGES THE LOCAL AREA " VILLAGES NEWSAGENT The ‘Tabac’ is the place to go for magazines, newspapers (including foreign editions) cigarettes, sweets, simple stationery, batteries, postcards, stamps etc. There is a tabac in each of the villages. POST OFFICE & POST BOX The Post Office in Magalas is in the village centre on Avenue de la Gare. Opening hours are Monday to Friday: 8am–12.30pm & 2pm–4pm and Saturday 8:30am– 11am. There’s a postbox there if needed, or outgoing mail can be left at the Château Reception. PHARMACY The pharmacy in Magalas is also on Avenue de la Gare. Their opening hours are Monday to Saturday: 9am–12pm et 14.30pm–7.30pm. THE LOCAL MARKET There are colourful local markets on Wednesday and Sunday mornings in Magalas' main square, Wednesday and Friday mornings in Pouzolles and Tuesday and Friday mornings in Puissalicon. BANKS Magalas has a Crédit Agricole bank with a cashpoint (ATM) at 50 Avenue de la Gare. They are open Monday to Friday: 8.30am–12.15pm et 1.45pm–5.15pm. There is also a cashpoint at the Intermarché in Magalas and the Super U in Roujan. 51 THE LOCAL AREA VILLAGES THE LOCAL AREA " CASUAL RESTAURANTS These are our local cafés and bistros. Don't expect gourmet food and chic décor, think more along the lines of simple French bistro classics, Formica tables and plastic chairs. The service is friendly, the prices reasonable and the atmosphere casual. Please see page 59 for our favourite recommendations. L'EXCALIBUR 1 Place Neuve, Magalas DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 5 MINUTES Typical French bistro fare, pizzas. HOURS: Bar open 7am–9pm. Food served Monday to Thursday lunchtimes; Friday to Sunday lunch & dinner. Food served 12pm–2pm & 8pm–10.30pm. CONTACT: 2 04 67 93 30 02 BAR DES ALLÉES 1 Place de l’Étoile, Pouzolles DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 5 MINUTES Decent lunchtime menu of the day. Covered outdoor terrace. No frills. HOURS: Open every day. Food served 12pm–2pm & 8pm–10.30pm. CONTACT: 2 04 67 24 80 17 LE PETIT PÉCHÉ 8 Avenue de Caux, Roujan DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 10 MINUTES Family friendly – kids' menu and play area. Air-conditioned restaurant and vine-shaded outdoor terrace. Food is one step up and based on fresh produce. HOURS: Open every day in July & August. Closed Monday evenings and Wednesdays the rest of the year. Food served 12pm–2pm & 7pm–10pm. CONTACT: 2 04 67 24 21 82 c restaurantlepetitpeche.com SEVENTEEN SIX (KNOWN AS LE 7) 71 La Promenade, Puissalicon DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 5 MINUTES For a quick meal. Mussels & chips, tapas and smiley owners. Music nights. HOURS: Open every day. CONTACT: 2 04 67 99 86 07 In the Local Area – Favourite restaurants section you'll find more suggestions for restaurants we recommend, nearby and further afield. 52 THE LOCAL AREA CASUAL RESTAURANTS THE LOCAL AREA " PÉZENAS WHY VISIT Pézenas is the prettiest town around. It’s a maze of cobbled medieval lanes, lined with interesting boutiques and arts and crafts galleries. Add to this a wellpreserved historical centre with elegant 16th to 18th century mansions, built when the town was the seat of the Governors of Languedoc, and you can see why it’s popular with tourists and locals alike. There's also a good selection of restaurants, street cafés and wine bars. Every Friday night in summer from 7pm to 11pm the local winegrowers set up their stalls along the Cours Jean Jaurès for a tasting free-for-all called Les Estivales. Many of the boutiques stay open late too. HERITAGE The best way to see Pézenas is to look up. The whole of the old centre is a listed historical monument and the detail on the sculpted stone door archways, window frames, spiral staircases, forged iron balconies and tall carved wood doors is just magnificent. The Tourist Office runs visits, with a limited number in English. Best to pick up a map from them and follow the information panels and arrows round the circuit. The map is required to help you find your way out of the labyrinth at the end! ARTS & CRAFTS Walk north up the streets leading off the Cours Jean Jaurès to find the crafts boutiques – potters, painters, leather workers, glass blowers, puppeteers, jewellers, wood carvers, you name it. And if the bustle gets too much, you can stroll just a couple of streets further up the hill to the haven of calm in the 13th century Jewish quarter and the area around the château. 53 THE LOCAL AREA PÉZENAS THE LOCAL AREA " PÉZENAS MARKETS Pézenas has the best market in the area. On all day Saturday, although the fruit and veg stalls pack up around 1pm. Start at the Place du Marché des Trois Six for a mix of clothes, linen and jewellery stalls (wonderful all-things-made-with ginger stall, try the syrup). The Place de la République and the lower part of Cours Jean Jaurès are the home of the fruit & veg vendors. Carry on up the Cours past dozens of clothes and homeware stalls to the top, where you'll find the deli food – basins of paella and stuffed squid, roast chickens, artisan cheeses and an organic section (prices can be steep, they know a tourist when they see one). A coffee pit-stop at the Café des Arts or the Vintage Tapas Bar is advised. ANTIQUES Pézenas is the antiques capital of Languedoc with 50 dealers (some of which sell second-hand goods which are not quite so antique) along the Avenue de Verdun. It’s like a gigantic curiosity shop. There are also two annual antique fairs with hundreds of stalls – a great day out if you are here on the first Sunday in May or the second Sunday in October. MOLIÈRE Molière is to France as Shakespeare is to England and the playwright spent some time in Pézenas directing performances of his works. He has since become the local cultural icon with his own museum and references to him all over town. MUSÉE DE VULLIOD-SAINT-GERMAIN. 3, rue Albert-Paul Alliès HOURS: June-September open Tuesday to Sunday 10am–12pm & 3pm–7pm; rest of the year open Tuesday to Sunday 10am–12pm & 2pm–5.30pm. Closed 15th November to 15th February. CONTACT: 2 04 67 98 90 59 PARKING The main free car park is at the top of Avenue de Verdun, above the right-hand side of Avenue François Hue (go up the ramp). Otherwise try the car park next to the cemetery on Avenue François Curée. It's only a 5 minute walk into town. 54 THE LOCAL AREA PÉZENAS THE LOCAL AREA " WHERE TO EAT IN PÉZENAS It's probably best to avoid the restaurants opposite the main car park on the Place du 14 Juillet, where quality and service can be 'casual' to say the least. Much better to head into the old back streets and take your pick. Here are some of our favourites. L’ENTRE POTS 8 Avenue Louis Montagne, 34120 Pézenas DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 20 MINUTES Pézenas’ answer to a smart Paris eatery – with cool interiors, a courtyard terrace and up-market menus. The food is excellent, inventive and very reliable. The service is good too. Not the cheapest of places around but great for a special meal. Quite metropolitan mind you... HOURS: Open Monday to Saturday 12pm–2pm and 7.30pm–10pm, closed on Sundays in July & August and on Sundays and Mondays the rest of the year. CONTACT: 2 04 67 90 00 00 c restaurantentrepots.com LES PALMIERS 10 bis rue Mercière, 34120 Pézenas DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 20 MINUTES Les Palmiers has a chic, al fresco atmosphere. You dine in the pretty open-air courtyard of an historic building that has been stylishly redesigned on two levels. The food is eclectic, creative and beautifully presented. The service attentive but discreet. HOURS: Open in the summertime only, Monday to Saturday 12pm–2pm and 7.45pm–10pm, closed on Sundays. CONTACT: 2 04 67 09 42 56 LES MARRONNIERS 6 Avenue de Verdun, 34120 Pézenas DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 20 MINUTES Authentic family friendly restaurant with a lovely shady courtyard where you can eat underneath the huge horse chesnut tree on warm summer evenings. Traditional French cuisine and a selection of tapas using fresh, seasonal ingredients. HOURS: Open Monday to Saturday 12pm–2pm and 7pm–11pm CONTACT: 2 04 67 90 13 80 LE VINTAGE BAR & TAPAS 20 Cours Jean Jaurès, 34120 Pézenas DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 20 MINUTES On the best boulevard in Pézenas for classy architecture and people watching. Good choice for lunch - simple but really fresh home-made salads, charcuterie, tapas and cheeses. Great selection of quality regional wines. HOURS: Open Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am–10.30pm CONTACT: 2 04 67 31 71 98 c levintagepezenas.com 55 THE LOCAL AREA WHERE TO EAT IN PÉZENAS THE LOCAL AREA " BÉZIERS WHY VISIT Béziers is a Neo-classical city packed with history along its wide boulevards and the narrow back streets of the historical centre. It’s also a city on a human scale that you can easily explore on foot in a day. It has great architecture, pretty good shopping and a Spanish feel to it. HERITAGE The 19th century wine boom earned Béziers the name of wine capital of the world and made it the richest city in France. The wine trade paid for the impressive Haussmanian private mansions with stone spiral staircases, ornate balconies & lovely courtyards that line the Allées Paul Riquet, as well as the Italian-style theatre and Plateau des Poètes park that are at either end of the Allées. To explore the old historical centre take the Rue de la République and turn off into the side-streets. To the right is a maze of small back alleys where you can still hear Spanish rather than French spoken. To the left, head down Rue Mairan or Rue Française for the boutique shopping quarter. Both streets lead down to the Tourist Office. A walk up to the fortified Romanesque Saint Nazaire Cathedral takes you away from the bustle. There are lovely cloisters leading to terraced gardens which overlook the city. In the afternoons you can climb the tower for really impressive views of the bridge over the River Orb and out over the vineyards. 56 THE LOCAL AREA BÉZIERS THE LOCAL AREA " BÉZIERS Béziers other main claim to fame is the 17th century Canal du Midi, built by Pierre-Paul Riquet who was born in the town. The 241 km Canal is carried over the River Orb by an aqueduct and the 8-lock staircase at Fonsérannes is unique and pretty spectacular. THE FÉRIA Over a million visitors come for the 5-day Féria festival around the 15th August each year. Many attend the bullfights in the Spanish-style Arena. If that’s not your thing, the rest of town is packed with street bars, improvised restaurants, flame-throwers, fancy-dressed characters on mega-stilts and fun stuff for kids, all serenaded by Spanish music. This is a party on a big scale where anything goes. LUNCH A couple of options. Behind the Tourist Office there's a good choice of restaurants and bistros in Place des Trois Six and Rue Viennet. Les Trois Arches serves the best fine-crust pizzas, and the steaks at Le Vieux Siège are enormous. Or head for Les Halles, the covered market in Place Pierre Sémard. La Gargote des Halles is the most popular restaurant for lunch – 6 oysters and a glass of wine, tapas platters and a daily blackboard of specials. You can even buy your own meat or fish in the market and for 2.50€ they'll grill it for you. La Plancha des Halles is the place for meat lovers, Le Rouget Bleu for a seafood spread and Chez Baldo et Maria for a light tapas lunch. Hallégria is an on trend restaurant, tapas bar and lounge. The decor makes the most of the industrial style of the building and it's the place to be seen if you love rugby or the world of bull-fighting. MARKETS & SHOPPING Béziers is a market town and there's something happening on most days of the week but Friday is the best day to go. The Allées transform into a massive garden and enormous flower market, Place du 14 Juillet is the place for clothes and the flea market, and the food stalls set up in Place David d'Angers and along Rue Monge. Take your pick and your shopping bags. If you want to stock up on some French fashion there's a large new shopping mall at the Polygone near the train station. You'll find most of the chain stores here. c polygone-beziers.com PARKING It can be difficult to park in Béziers so we suggest you head straight for any of the underground car parks. Jean Jaurès at the bottom of the Allées is the biggest and Parking de la Madeleine & Saint Vincent de Paul are the best located for exploring the old town. 57 THE LOCAL AREA BÉZIERS THE LOCAL AREA " WHERE TO EAT IN BÉZIERS LE CHAMEAU IVRE Place Jean Jaures, 34500 Béziers DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 20 MINUTES Elected 'Caviste of the Year' by the prestigious Revue des Vins de France, Le Chameau Ivre is an excellent wine bar with an amazing list and very well-prepared tapas and light meals. Extremely knowledgeable staff. Good atmosphere, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. HOURS: Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday CONTACT: 2 04 67 80 20 20 LA MAISON DE PETIT PIERRE 22 avenue Pierre Verdier, 34500 Béziers DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 30 MINUTES Pierre Augé, winner of Top Chef 2014 and the Champions Crown in 2015 and 2016, and his wife serve a creative, refined menu. Whether seated in the charming Mediterranean courtyard or the brocante-style interior, the atmosphere is very friendly. Book well in advance. HOURS: Open for lunch Monday to Wednesday, lunch and dinner Thursday to Saturday CONTACT: 2 04 67 30 91 85 c lamaisondepetitpierre.fr LA CHARNIERE 22 Place Jean Jaurès, 34500 Béziers DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 25 MINUTES Great burgers, fish & chips and freshly made tapas, plus beer and cocktails. It’s run by Johny Howard, an ex-pro rugby player who spent much of his career playing in France. Eat on the terrace or underground in ‘Le Tunnel’ – the former wine cellar. HOURS: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–3pm & 7pm–11pm. CONTACT: 2 04 67 36 83 10 c lacharniere.fr L'AUTREMENT 15 Place Jean Jaurès, 34500 Béziers DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 20 MINUTES A restaurant, bar & lounge. Gastro-bistro food in an atmosphere which is chic but not overdone. Also the base for the excellent ‘Le vingt c’est le vin’ event held on the 20th of every month. HOURS: Closed Sundays. CONTACT: 2 04 67 84 35 10 c restaurant-lautrement.com L'OCTOPUS – See the Gastronomic Palaces pages 58 THE LOCAL AREA WHERE TO EAT IN BÉZIERS THE LOCAL AREA " FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS BISTROT LA GALÉRIE 11 place Vieille, 34480 Magalas DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 5 MINUTES A relaxed gastro pub come art gallery come antique shop. It's quirky, the food is fresh, locally sourced and well-presented and it's good value for money. HOURS: Open Tueday to Saturday 12pm-–2pm & 7.30pm–11pm CONTACT: 2 04 30 72 96 87 WANAGAIN 38 av Gare, 34290 Espondeilhan DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 10 MINUTES Café bistro with a Latin ambiance. Excellent burgers and home-made chips, with a new ‘speciality’ burger every month. The artisan beer selection is good too. Super friendly and super fresh food. It's small and popular, booking is recommended. HOURS: Open April–September: Tuesday to Sunday 9am–2pm & 5.30pm –9.30pm. October–March: Wednesday to Sunday, same opening hours. CONTACT: 2 04 67 77 65 19 c lescampette.com L’ESCAMPETTE 12 Place Lieutenant Paul Gauffre, 34320 Neffiès DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 15 MINUTES Le Bistrot L’Escampette is tucked away at the top of the village on a little medieval square. There are great views over the plain and the food is refined. HOURS: Open every day: 12pm–2pm & 7pm–9.30pm. CONTACT: 2 04 67 24 83 99 c lescampette.com 59 THE LOCAL AREA FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS THE LOCAL AREA " FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS LE VERY'TABLE 6 rue St Alban, 34320 Neffiès DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 15 MINUTES A traditional stone village house setting but modern and elegant food on the plate. Charming hosts and sensible prices. It's a real little find. Book early. HOURS: Open Tueday to Sunday: 12pm–1.15pm & 7.15pm–9pm (closed Saturday lunch & Sunday evening). In winter closed Tuesday evenings. CONTACT: 2 04 67 24 07 86 c lescampette.com LA CUISINE DE BASSAC 4 Place Neuve, 34480 Puimisson DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 15 MINUTES Contemporary dishes cooked with fresh, seasonal produce. Great for either a quick lunch or a more up market dinner. The food is surprisingly refined and the portions generous. Pleasant terrace. HOURS: Open Saturday to Monday + Friday evenings: 12pm –2pm & 7pm –9.30pm. CONTACT: 2 04 6740 43 07 c lacuisinedebassac.fr L'ABBAYE SYLVA PLANA 13, ancienne Route Nationale, 34480 Laurens DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 15 MINUTES Quite an ecclectic mix of wine cellar/wine bar/tapas bar/vineyard restaurant. Traditional French cuisine with original touches. HOURS: Open June to September: Monday to Saturday lunchtimes & Thursday to Saturday evenings; October to May: Monday to Friday lunchtimes. CONTACT: 2 04 67 93 43 55 BÉZIERS PLAGE Château Vaisseries, Route de Bédarieux 34500 Béziers DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 15 MINUTES And now for something different. This a party place where you can eat outdoors in the grounds of a beautiful château, in a tent or leaning on a wine barrel, surrounded by a rustic, funky décor replicating the old French riverside cafés. Tapas bar serving meat or fish platters and a Mediterranean restaurant. The atmosphere changes every night with the theme – Kizomba, Salsa, happy hours and big name DJs appear often. It does get packed and service can be slow (but friendly) and it's well worth a visit. HOURS: Open May to September: 12am–1am CONTACT: 2 06 69 61 98 96 60 THE LOCAL AREA FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS THE LOCAL AREA " THE GASTRONOMIC PALACES L’AUBERGE DU PRESBYTERE Impasse de l’Église, 34320 Vailhan DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 20 MINUTES The food is great – light and refined, but we go here for the view. With a terrace overlooking the Lac des Olivettes, it’s a wonderful lunchtime venue. Have a swim in the lake afterwards. HOURS: March to October: Thursday to Monday 12pm–1.15pm & 7pm–9pm CONTACT: 2 04 67 24 76 49 c aubergedupresbytere.fr OCTOPUS 21 rue Boieldieu, 34500 Béziers DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 25 MINUTES One Michelin star and highly recommended. Octopus offers gourmet cuisine that’s a little more experimental than most French restaurants and superlative service. Fantastic cheese & wine lists. Nice terrace, though décor is a little stark. HOURS: Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm and 7.30pm. Closed 15 August to 31 August. CONTACT: 2 04 67 49 90 00 c restaurant-octopus.com LE ST BARTH Chemin des Domaines, Lieu dit Montpenèdre, 34340 Marseillan DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 40 MINUTES Not gastronomic in the traditional sense, but if you want to try what are considered by many to be the best oysters in the world, then this is the place. Limited menu, you are only there for the fabulous fresh seafood. Oh, and the setting, which is the nearest thing to the Caribbean that we have in Languedoc. HOURS: May & June: open Fri. to Sun. lunch & Fri. evenings; July & Aug.: every day for lunch and dinner. Sept.: dinner every night & Sat. and Sun. lunch CONTACT: 2 04 67 49 90 00 c lestbarth.com 61 THE LOCAL AREA THE GASTRONOMIC PALACES THE LOCAL AREA " THE GASTRONOMIC PALACES AUBERGE DE VIEUX PUITS 5, Avenue St Victor 11360 Fontjoncouse DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 1 HOUR One of only 25 restaurants in France with 3 Michelin stars, the Vieux Puits is considered one of the very best establishments in the country and was recently voted 9th best restaurant in the world. Situated in a tiny Corbières village, the cuisine is traditional rather than ‘molecular’ à la Ferran Adrià, but expect the unexpected all the same. Prices, whilst still steep, are not the same as a 3-star in Paris or London. Décor is very traditional too – some might say uninspired. You’re there for the food though. Book at the start of your stay for a vague chance of getting a table. HOURS: Summer: Wednesday to Sunday. Closed Sunday evenings. Winter: open Wednesday to Sunday CONTACT: 2 04 68 44 07 37 c aubergeduvieuxpuits.fr LA COQUERIE Chemin du Cimetière Marin, Sète DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 1 HOUR One Michelin star for Anne Majourel in this restaurant on the hillside in Sète overlooking the Med. The food is based on local products, particularly fish from the ‘criée’ in Sète and the cuisine is chic, contemporary and delicate. HOURS: Open every day from June to September except Sunday evenings. October to May: open Thursday to Sunday, except Sunday evenings. from 12pm–8pm CONTACT: 2 06 47 06 71 83 62 THE LOCAL AREA THE GASTRONOMIC PALACES THE LOCAL AREA " THE GASTRONOMIC PALACES MIA 609, avenue Raymond Dugrand, RBC Design Center, 34000 Montpellier DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 1 HOUR Located in the cutting edge RBC Design Center, one should expect the interior of this restaurant to be modern and streamlined. And it is. There is a goodsized terrace too, with a summery garden ambiance. Newly awarded his 1st solo Michelin star (he worked with Pierre Gagnaire previously), chef Pascal Sanchez creates art on the plate using only the very best produce. The ingredients are first class, the presentation exquisite and the flavours fabulous. HOURS: Open Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm–2pm & 7pm–10pm. CONTACT: 2 04 67 73 14 26 LE PARC 80 Chemin des Anglais 11000 Carcassonne DISTANCE FROM CHÂTEAU: 1 HR 15 We know it's quite a drive for dinner but with 2 Michelin stars, we couldn't not mention Le Parc. Even if dinner menus start at 95€ per person. The food is approaching perfection, innovative and complex. The stars are proof that chef Franck Putelat has extraordinary technical skill and a brilliant palette. So if you can't make it for dinner, try to make it for lunch. HOURS: Open Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm– 2pm & 7.30pm–9.30pm. CONTACT: 2 04 68 71 80 80 63 THE LOCAL AREA THE GASTRONOMIC PALACES SPS Local Area - Fun for Children Untitled layer places Réserve Africaine Le Petit Train Jaune SPS Local Area THE LOCAL AREA " FUN FOR CHILDREN Parc Aventure Bourbaki Untitled layer Europark Montpellier Parc Zoologique places Aquarium Mare Nostrum Réserve Africaine Parc des Dinosaures Le Petit Train Jaune Aqualand Parc Aventure Bourbaki Mini Ferme Zoo Europark Canoeing Montpellier Parc Zoologique Palais de la Maquette Aquarium Mare Nostrum Château St Pierre de Serjac Parc des Dinosaures Aqualand Mini Ferme Zoo Canoeing Palais de la Maquette Château St Pierre de Serjac The Languedoc is full of fantastic outings and adventures for children. Below is just a small selection of the best excursions: AFRICAN SAFARI PARK EUROPARK SIGEAN – 45 MINS Superb safari park. 2 04 68 48 20 20 c reserveafricainesigean.fr VIAS – 30 MINS Fairground, kart tracks and rollercoasters. Some great rides. 2 04 67 30 71 06 c europarkvias.com/ AQUARIUM MARE NOSTRUM ODYSSEUM, MONTPELLIER – 1HR Really very good. 2 04 67 13 05 50 c ot-montpellier.fr/mare-nostrum AQUALAND CAP D’AGDE – 45 MINS Great waterpark, alternatively go to La Bouscarasse in Gard, which is better suited to smaller children. 2 04 67 26 85 94 c aqualand.fr/cap-d-agde/ DINOSAUR PARK PARC AVENTURE BOURBAKI BÉZIERS – 20 MINS Climbing and zipwire in the trees. 2 06 25 43 41 37 c beziersaventure.com MONTPELLIER ZOO & AMAZONIAN RAINFOREST MONTPELLIER – 1HR A great zoo, plus all the creatures and habitats of the Amazon rainforest in a tropical greenhouse. 2 04 67 54 45 23 c http://zoo.montpellier.fr MÈZE – 30 MINS An important paleontological site, a must-see for dinosaur fans. 2 04 67 43 02 80 c musee-parc-dinosaures.com 64 THE LOCAL AREA FUN FOR CHILDREN SPS Local Area - Fun for Children Untitled layer places Réserve Africaine Le Petit Train Jaune SPS Local Area THE LOCAL AREA " FUN FOR CHILDREN Parc Aventure Bourbaki Untitled layer Europark Montpellier Parc Zoologique places Aquarium Mare Nostrum Réserve Africaine Parc des Dinosaures Le Petit Train Jaune Aqualand Parc Aventure Bourbaki Mini Ferme Zoo Europark Canoeing Montpellier Parc Zoologique Palais de la Maquette Aquarium Mare Nostrum Château St Pierre de Serjac Parc des Dinosaures Aqualand Mini Ferme Zoo Canoeing Palais de la Maquette Château St Pierre de Serjac MINI FERME ZOO CANOE CESSENON-SUR-ORB – 1HR The petting zoo in Cessenon-Sur-Orb. 2 04 67 89 5414 c minifermezoo.fr ROQUEBRUN – 40 MINS Take a canoe ride on the beautiful river Orb. 2 04 67 89 52 90 c canoe-france/orb/ LE PETIT TRAIN JAUNE PALAIS DE LA MAQUETTE VILLEFRANCHE DE CONFLENT – 2HRS 35 An historic electric railway which winds up into the Pyrénées. One word – spectacular. 2 08 91 70 09 00 c pyrenees-cerdagne.com/fr/ le-train-jaune VALRAS – 45 MINS Palais de la Maquette, situated at the Port – surprisingly good! 2 04 67 39 13 53 c palaisdelamaquette.com The region also has many of the usual diversions, including many playgrounds (the best is on the beach at Valras Plage.) 65 THE LOCAL AREA FUN FOR CHILDREN rainy day SPS Untitled layer La Cité de L'Eau Musée Tautavel THE LOCAL AREA " RAINY DAYS La Serre Amazonienne Aquarium Mare Nostrum Musée Fabre Musée d'Art Moderne rainy day SPS Terra Vinea Grotte de Clamouse Château St Pierre de Serjac Untitled layer La Cité de L'Eau Musée Tautavel La Serre Amazonienne Aquarium Mare Nostrum Musée Fabre Musée d'Art Moderne Terra Vinea Grotte de Clamouse Château St Pierre de Serjac Although it may be hard to believe it can rain now and again. Don’t worry, there is still plenty to do. Here is a list of places to go even when the sun doesn’t shine. THE MUSÉE FABRE TERRA VINEA MONTPELLIER – 1HR A museum that includes the very cool Pierre Soulages gallery. 2 04 67 14 83 00 c museefabre-en.montpellier-agglo.com PORTEL DES CORBIÈRES – 45 MINS Underground wine museum with a restaurant and wine tasting. 2 04 68 48 64 90 c terra-vinea.eu THE AQUARIUM (MARE NOSTRUM) MUSEUM OF MODERN ART MONTPELLIER – 1HR Pretty much as good an aquarium as you will find anywhere. 2 04 67 13 05 50 c ot-montpellier.fr/mare-nostrum CERET – 1HR 20 Works by Dali, Miro, Chagal and Matisse. 2 04 68 87 27 76 c musee-ceret.com AMAZONIAN RAINFOREST LA CITÉ DE L’EAU MONTPELLIER – 1HR 15 Full of exotic plants and animals. 2 04 67 54 45 23 c ot-montpellier.fr/ serre-amazonienne AGDE – 45 MINS Large indoor aquatic centre, with multiple pools, slides and spa area. 2 08 99 96 73 90 (1,35€ /min) c centre-larchipel.com. LA GROTTE DE CLAMOUSE TAUTAVEL MUSEUM SAINT-JEAN-DE-FOS – 1HR A spectacular underground cave. Gigantic and full of amazing stalactites and stalagmites. c clamouse.com/en TAUTAVEL – 1HR 30 MINS Museum of Prehistory with life-size models of prehistoric man, animals and their habitats. Interactive exhibitions. c 450000ans.com/?lang=en 66 THE LOCAL AREA RAINY DAYS THE LOCAL AREA " MARKETS The Languedoc is full of wonderful local markets selling a huge range of cheeses, fruit and vegetables, charcuterie, olive products and often clothing & crafts. SOME OF THE BETTER LOCAL MARKETS ARE: BÉZIERS: Saturday (vegetables in the allèes Paul Riquet, organic produce by Les Halles), Sunday – large general market PÉZENAS: Saturday – 9am–1pm for food; clothes & other goods – all day – Cours Jean Jaurès; Saturday morning organic Market, Place Gambetta CLERMONT L’HÉRAULT: Wednesdays 8am–2pm for food BÉDARIEUX: Monday 8am–1pm, food in Place Albert Thomas & clothes in Place de la Vièrge ST CHINIAN: Thursdays and Sundays 8am–1pm BESSON: Sunday 8am–1.30pm – food, & bric-a-brac; Tuesday 8am–1pm – food MÈZE: Sunday 8am–1.30pm, food & bric-a-brac in l´Esplanade & Place de la Mairie CAP D'AGDE: Tuesday June–September, 8am–1pm local producers market There are also regular ‘marchés aux puces’ (flea markets), ‘vide greniers’ (car boot sales) and brocantes (bric-a-brac) where some fabulous bargains can be found. The most famous market is the Pézenas ‘deballage’ held on the 1st Sunday in May and the 2nd Sunday in October each year. Other markets are organised by the villages, usually on Sunday mornings, so the easiest way to find them is to look directly online at c http://vide-greniers.org There is also the Béziers 'déballage', a huge trade market, ostensibly open to professionals only. This is held once a month on Sunday mornings. If you would like to go to this, ask at reception, who may be able to arrange entry and a guide if required. 67 THE LOCAL AREA MARKETS 68 1 6 BEACH XXXXXX LIFE Mediterranean beaches Lagoon beaches River & lake beaches 70 73 74 BEACH LIFE " MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES OVERVIEW Languedoc’s beaches range from the sublime to the not so nice. On the one hand you can find some of the loveliest beaches in France and on the other, you can stumble across a whole other sort of beach, with wall to wall take-away restaurants and tacky souvenir shops bordering the sands. To help you navigate, we’ve put together this guide to the best beaches in the area. WHEN TO GO In summer, traffic to the coastal beaches can be heavy and parking can be difficult, so you should leave early (or much later) to avoid this. The locals often don’t even arrive until around 4pm, avoiding the sun at its hottest and the worst of the crowds. It is also worth driving via some of the smaller roads and villages instead of along the main routes. The coastal areas and motorways are extremely busy on Saturdays in July and August and so avoid Saturdays – you have been warned! A good alternative would be a trip to the river and lagoon beaches. BEACH CLUBS There are lots of great beaches in Languedoc – but perhaps the most comfortable way to enjoy the warm waters and golden sand of the Mediterranean is to visit one of the region’s many ‘beach clubs‘ where you can rent sun beds for the day or half-day, enjoy a leisurely lunch and have staff ferry drinks to you all day long. Most of them have a clubby feel in the evenings with DJs etc. 70 BEACH LIFE MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES PS Beaches Untitled layer BEACH LIFE " MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES Sérignan Plage Valras Plage Vendres Plage Portiragnes Plage Cap d'Agde Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS Beaches Untitled layer Sérignan Plage Valras Plage Vendres Plage Portiragnes Plage Cap d'Agde Château St Pierre de Serjac SÉRIGNAN – 20 MINS This is the closest beach to the Château. Driving to the beach you’ll know you’re in tourist territory, but it has an agreeable rustic, country feel. The beach itself is a wide stretch of soft sand, and doesn’t feel built up at all. There’s a beach club and restaurant on the sand with simple meals, a good bar and a lively scene in the early evening. It’s not unheard of to find the Château team here on their day off! VALRAS – 20 MINS Just west of Sérignan, Valras is a traditional beach town, quite built up with lots of restaurants and shops. Very child friendly – with a good playground on the sands, a drop-in childrens club and a port to wander around. The beach itself stretches for 4km and has plenty of water sports and leisure facilities. It’s very safe for swimming too. VENDRES – 25 MINS Like Sérignan, Vendres feels more remote and wild, with a protective grassy sand bank separating you from the campsites behind. It’s widest and wildest at Plage Montilles and Mimosas. You can just see Cap D’Agde and the lagoon in the distance. PORTIRAGNES – 25 MINS Portiragnes is a lovely beach, with fine sand and practically no views of built-up areas. Go to the west side for the best experience but don’t expect a host of facilities. THE BEACHES AT CAP D’AGDE – 40 MINS Known as Europe’s largest naturist resort, there are actually only a couple of nudist beaches at Cap d’Agde (follow the signs for ‘naturiste’ if that’s what you’re after). The other ten distinct beaches are some of the best in the region, each with their own atmosphere and nearly all are long, wide and sandy. The best beaches are Capao and Richelieu Est, both of which have very good beach clubs and restaurants. La Mole is good for small children. 71 BEACH LIFE MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES beaches 2 e eaches BEACH LIFE " MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES erre de Serjac SPS med beaches Untitled layer Gruissan Plage Leucate Plage La Franqui Montpellier Beaches Château St Pierre de Serjac GRUISSAN – 40 MINS Gruissan beach is also long, wide and sandy and particularly popular for water sports, with a sailing club that hires boats and windsurfers and a snack bar. To one side is an unusual little village of fisherman’s houses on stilts, which featured in the movie Betty Blue. It is also worth a stroll round the old village of Gruissan: crafts shops, galleries and a stunning view from the top of the ruined château. La Cambuse du Saunier restaurant facing the salt pans is great choice for lunch. MONTPELLIER BEACHES – 1HR Love them or hate them, the modernist 1960’s pyramids of La Grande Motte are something to see at least once! The beach at “Point Zéro” is fabulous and wellequipped with restaurants, and watersports. Grand Travers and Petit Travers are lovely wide sandy beaches closer to Montpellier. Surprisingly they’re not at all built up, although in summer there are many ‘pop up’ beach clubs, some of which are pretty sophisticated, with good service and a cool atmosphere. Palavas-les-Flots is best for a traditional family day out at the seaside. The attractive harbour is lined with scores of restaurants and the well-equipped beach is enormous. LEUCATE – 1HR Sandwiched between the less attractive ports of Port-La-Nouvelle and Barcarès, Leucate Plage comes as a very pleasant surprise. It feels more like an Australian beach town – with attractive houses climbing up pretty pine tree covered hills. There are two beaches; a big main beach just in front of the town and further along (accessible only by climbing around the rocks), a much slimmer beach bordered by rocks that’s popular with nude bathers. LA FRANQUI – 1HR 10 A tiny gem of a village with half a dozen restaurants and a wide, sandy beach in front. Just above the centre is a long narrow sand bank with the lagoon on one side and the Med on the other – you feel like you’re floating on water. Can be windy, and is justifiably famous as a kite surfing centre. 72 BEACH LIFE MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES PS Lagoon Beaches Untitled layer Marseillan Port Mèze Étang de Bages BEACH LIFE " LAGOON BEACHES Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS Lagoon Beac Untitled layer Marseillan Port Mèze Étang de Bages Château St Pierre de Serjac The beaches around the Etang de Thau – famous for its oyster farming – are a really nice alternative to the larger seaside beaches. The water is warmer, usually shallow, no currents to speak of and there’s more chance of spotting some sea life, including the occasional sea horse. So a good choice for young children, but there can be some seaweed so it’s a good idea to kit them out with plastic shoes. MARSEILLAN PORT BEACH – 40 MINS A small stretch of sand to one side of this picturesque little port. There’s a very good children’s playground, skate park, waterskiing zip wire, kitesurf school and snack bar. Or have lunch in one of the dozen restaurants which line the quaysides along the atmospheric port. You can usually get a light meal here all day long but our favourites are Pacheline and Ciel et Mer. MÉZE – 50 MINS The largest of the lagoon beaches is in this pleasant port town. There are plenty of restaurants, including a couple on the beach itself. The lagoon is great for small children as it’s not too deep and there’s a jetty for older kids to venture out further. BAGES AND PEYRIAC-SUR-MER– 45 MINS Pretty places to relax in the natural regional park. No real beaches but in Peyriac you can follow the walkway on stilts across the lagoon and float in the salt rich waters. KITE SURFING ON THE LAGOONS Both the Etang de Bages and the Etang de Thau are renowned worldwide for kite surfing. On the Etang de Bages, head for ‘La Nautique’. It’s tricky to find, so do please ask the concierge for directions. Can be very windy. On the Etang de Thau (better in southerly winds), start out from ‘Mal Dormir’, which is signposted on the road between Marseillan Ville and Marseillan plage. You’ll see the kites. 73 BEACH LIFE LAGOON BEACHES S River and lake beaches 2 led layer Roquebrun Gorges d'Héric BEACH LIFE " RIVER & LAKE BEACHES Cirque de Navacelles Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS River and lak Untitled layer Roquebrun Gorges d'Héric Cirque de Navacelles Château St Pierre de Serjac The river and lake beaches offer a great alternative to the coast, particularly on the traffic-heavy Saturdays in July and August. Below is our selection of some of the best. LAC DES OLIVETTES – 25 MINS The Lac des Olivettes is a small family friendly lake at Vailhan. It’s a great place to stop and have a swim after a delicious lunch at the AUBERGE DU PRESBYTÈRE (see Restaurants Direction Pézenas). On the way there you can visit the goats cheese farm and watch the goats being milked and sample the cheeses at LE MAS ROLLAND 2 04 67 24 65 40 c lafermedumasrolland.com ROQUEBRUN RIVER BEACH – 40 MINS Roquebrun on the River Orb is rated one of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’, with its traditional stone houses, a bridge, weir and old water mill. It’s tiny but has 4 restaurants and 2 cafés (we recommend LE PETIT NICE 2 04 67 89 64 27). It’s very popular with canoeists for its reasonable canoe hire prices and clear, shallow waters. The beach and river bed are stony, so you might want to protect your feet. THE GORGES D’HÉRIC – 45 MINS The Gorges d’Héric in the Black Mountains is a stunning river gorge renowned amongst bathers and walkers. In winter, the water roars down the gorge in spectacular fashion. It’s a bracing 90-minute walk to the top where a tiny café serves hot chocolate. In summer the mountain torrents reduce to a trickle, leaving crystal clear rock pools, warm enough for swimming. If you walk far enough up the gorge you’ll find your own secluded spot. Arrive early in July/August, as it gets quite popular. There’s a big car park and snack shop just past the village of Mons-la-Trivalle. 74 BEACH LIFE RIVER & LAKE BEACHES S River and lake beaches salagou d layer Lac du Salagou BEACH LIFE " RIVER & LAKE BEACHES Lac de Olivettes, Vailhan Pont du Diable Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS River and lak Untitled layer Lac du Salagou Lac de Olivettes, Vailhan Pont du Diable Château St Pierre de Serjac THE PONT DU DIABLE – 50 MINS About five minutes drive south of lovely (and hugely popular) St. Guilhem le Desert, the Hérault river runs under the famous ‘Pont du Diable’ bridge and on past a large ‘pool’ with a beach on either side. It’s a great place to cool off after visiting St. Guilhem or the impressive GROTTES DE CLAMOUSE (caves) just up the road and very popular in summer, so try to arrive early. ST GUILHEM LE DESERT has restaurants and cafés but there’s nothing else along the river – so bring a picnic. Canoes can be rented on the opposite bank. Further down from these two, the water is deeper and you’ll find plenty of shady places. LAC DU SALAGOU – 1 HR The Lac du Salagou is actually artificial, but the rough, wild terrain and colourful red soils are very scenic. The place has a Wild West feel about it. There’s a great little sailing club, which hires hobie cats, stand up paddles, pedalos and other fun water crafts and a SNACK BAR (2 04 67 96 05 71 c basedusalagou.fr). You can also explore the mountain bike tracks and lovely walks around the lake, see the submerged village or, of course, just go swimming in the clear water. You’ll find it just outside Clermont l’Herault. The western theme continues at the CIRQUE DE MOURÈZE, just to the south, where there’s over a square mile of giant limestone rock formations in some very peculiar shapes. Worth catching on the way home. CIRQUE DE NAVACELLES – 1HR 15 The Cirque de Navacelles really is something different. It’s basically an ‘island’ carved out of a canyon by the River Vis. Most people go to see its unique shape from above, but go down into the canyon itself and you’ll find a charming hamlet, with a couple of simple but good restaurants, and the river. The water is incredibly clear, and chilly. There’s a spectacular waterfall and children of all ages (us included!) love to jump in. With the towering sides of the canyon all around you, it’s truly memorable. 75 BEACH LIFE RIVER & LAKE BEACHES 76 1 7 DAYS XXXXXX OUT A day on the Canal 78 St Chinian & Roquebrun 79 Cap d’Agde & Marseillan port 80 Narbonne, La Clape & Gruissan 81 Olargues & the Gorges d’Heric 82 Sète, Bouzigues & Marseillan 83 Montpellier84 St Guilhem & the Pont du Diable 85 Carcassonne & Bize-Minervois 86 Millau viaduct & Roquefort 87 Lagrasse & the Cathar castles 88 The foothills of the Pyrénées 89 Collioure & Perpignan 90 PS Canal ntitled layer Colombiers Abbaye de Fontfroide DAYS OUT " A DAY ON THE CANAL Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS Canal Untitled layer Colombiers Abbaye de Fontfroide Château St Pierre de Serjac COLOMBIERS – 40 MINS ABBAYE DE FONTFROIDE – 1HR 10 MORNING: Rent a small boat and make your way along the CANAL DU MIDI – one of the most beautiful canals in the world. You can rent small self-drive barges, ‘pataches’ for a day or half-day and even children can take a turn at driving. We recommend starting at the canal port in Colombiers, about 25 minutes’ drive from the Château. 2 04 67 37 14 60 c [email protected] GPS: 43.313688, 3.143172. If you would like to hire a barge with another family please ask at Reception and we will put it on the blackboard to see if anyone else would like to share. LUNCH: Ask us for a picnic to take on the boat – eat on board or in a shady spot along the canal. If you’re barging for a half day try AU LAVOIR in Colombiers, about five minutes walk from the port. 2 04 67 26 16 15 cau-lavoir.com. AFTERNOON: Visit the ABBAYE DE FONTFROIDE just South of Narbonne – a magnificent 12th century Cistercian Abbey with gorgeous rose gardens. They also have wine tasting and a good restaurant. GPS: 43.7450336, 2.53511038. 2 04 68 45 50 72. If you don’t want to go that far, then just up the road from Colombiers is the Etang de Montady. This dried out lagoon forms a huge circle filled with wedges of ancient fields that fan out like the rays of the sun. The best views are from the Oppidum d’Ensérune – once a Gallic hill-town and now a Greek and Roman archaeological site and museum. 2 04 67 37 01 23 GPS: 43.2898, 3.1280 78 DAYS OUT A DAY ON THE CANAL S roquebrun st chinian d layer Roquebrun DAYS OUT " ST CHINIAN & ROQUEBRUN Saint-Chinian Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS roquebrun st Untitled layer Roquebrun Saint-Chinian Château St Pierre de Serjac ST CHINIAN – 40 MINS ROQUEBRUN – 45 MINS MORNING: If you go on a Thursday or Sunday start off at ST. CHINIAN MARKET, it’s lively, colourful and quintessentially French. You can do a wine tasting at the cave in St. Chinian, renowned for its velvety reds. It’s close to the centre of the village and they often bring in local winemakers to do tastings. 2 04 67 38 28 40. GPS: 43.425368, 2.945890. Other mornings, go swimming or canoeing at ROQUEBRUN RIVER, in one of the most beautiful villages in France. The rapids are pretty mild and children from six years old can manage to paddle. We recommend you do the two hour course from Cers to Roquebrun. Telephone to book your place 2 04 67 89 52 90 c canoeroquebrun.com/en. GPS: 43.498452, 3.026431 LUNCH: LE PETIT NICE – a basic but good restaurant overlooking the river in Roquebrun. Make sure you call to make a reservation as it is very popular in the summer. 2 04 67 89 64 27. There are also great spots along the river for a picnic. AFTERNOON: THE CAVE COOPERATIVE in Roquebrun has a great series of information panels on wine making. Learn all about winemaking and taste their wines. 2 04 67 89 64 35. THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN is worth a visit too, perched on the hill above the village, it has stunning views. c jardin-mediterraneen.fr. 79 DAYS OUT ST CHINIAN & ROQUEBRUN SPS agde marseillan Untitled layer Cap d'Agde Jungle Beach DAYS OUT " CAP D’AGDE & MARSEILLAN PORT Aqualand Marseillan Port Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS agde marseil Untitled layer Cap d'Agde Jungle Beach Aqualand Marseillan Port Château St Pierre de Serjac CAP D’AGDE – 40 MINS MARSEILLAN PORT – 40 MINS MORNING: Book a sunbed at one of the beach clubs at CAP D’AGDE (see Mediterranean Beaches section) – you might want to call first to make sure they are available. JUNGLE BEACH is a firm favourite with a restaurant, bar and masseur. Call to book: 2 04 99 41 20 88. To get to Jungle Beach, head towards Cap d’Agde and once there, take the signs for ‘Plage Richelieu Est’. The signs for ‘Naturisme’ on the other hand, take you to the clothes off side of Le Cap – itself divided into three sections – family, gay and straight/frisky... There’s a new website with descriptions, photos and prices for most of the region’s beach clubs: c epaillote.com – please let us know if you try any and would recommend them to other guests. LUNCH: At your beach bar restaurant or on the port at MARSEILLAN VILLE. AFTERNOON: Stay at the beach, or drive to MARSEILLAN VILLE (not Marseillan Plage). It’s a charming fishing port where you’ll find lovely cafés and restaurants for lunch on the quayside. Try PACHELINE for fish and seafood or the TAVERNE DU PORT. You could also stroll 15 mins east along the edge of the lagoon to the oyster farms, where there are several simple ‘cabanes’ – oyster bar/restaurants. Mussel ‘brasucade’ is very popular, a local version of moules marinières in a slightly spicy sauce cooked over a wood fire. Cheap and very cheerful. Take the tour round the NOILLY PRAT vermouth cellars. They make 3 types – a white and a red but the Ambré is the best, and only sold in Marseillan (and upmarket bars and restaurants worldwide). If you have children, AQUALAND, the water slide park back in Cap d’Agde, is always a hit. Be sure to arrive early in the day to enjoy all the water slides, as the wait is sometimes long in the middle of the afternoon when it gets busier. 2 04 67 26 85 94. Opens on the 20th of June. 80 DAYS OUT CAP D’AGDE & MARSEILLAN PORT Narbonne etc er Halles de Narbonne DAYS OUT " NARBONNE, LA CLAPE & GRUISSAN le Saint-Just et Saint- s des Archevêques s de Gruissan Narbonne etc Narbonne etc etc SPS Narbonne ape eau St Pierre de Serjac Untitled layer Narbonne etc Untitled Untitledlayer layer Les Halles de Narbonne Les LesHalles Hallesde deNarbonne Narbonne Cathedrale Saint-Just et SaintPasteur Untitled layerSaint-Just Cathedrale Cathedrale Saint-Justet etSaintSaintPasteur Pasteur Archevêques LesPalais Hallesdes de Narbonne Palais des Archevêques Palais desde Archevêques Salins Gruissan Cathedrale Saint-Just Salins Gruissan Salins de Gruissanet SaintLa de Clape Pasteur La LaClape Clape Château Les Carrasses Palais des Archevêques Château Carrasses ChâteauLes St Pierre de Serjac Salins de Gruissan La Clape NARBONNE – 40 MINS LA CLAPE – 45 MINS GRUISSAN – 50 MINS MORNING: Drive to NARBONNE and stroll around the centre of this lovely canalside city, with footbridges over the Canal de la Robine linking the historic quarters to explore on either side. The canal banks have been renovated and you’ll find some great little open air cafés. Make sure you visit the famous covered market, LES HALLES is a traditional French covered market in the centre of Narbonne with 70 food stalls selling fresh local and gourmet produce plus a host of small restaurants serving everything from oysters to tapas. A great place for browsing, a spot of lunch or to pick up some picnic items. GPS: 43.181256, 3.005151. Also worth a tour is the 13TH CENTURY CATHEDRAL (Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur) and the ARCHBISHOP’S PALACE and THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM (closed on Tuesdays from October to June), with its important collection of Roman artefacts and art – reflecting Narbonne’s role as the first major settlement of the Roman empire. 2 04 68 90 30 65 LUNCH: LES HALLES is the place to go, particularly if there is rugby on. CHEZ BEBELLE is a standout restaurant and includes entertainment provided via steaks flying through the air between the butchers opposite and the chef! Call to book or expect to wait 2 06 85 40 09 01). If you prefer seafood head straight for the SALINS DE GRUISSAN (the salt pans), to the restaurant LA CAMBUSE DU SAUNIER for fresh oysters and salt-baked fish. Call to book at 2 04 84 25 13 24. GPS: 43.097129,3.084705 AFTERNOON: Spend the afternoon wine tasting around LA CLAPE between Narbonne and Gruissan, with many of the Languedoc’s best wine domaines within close proximity to one another. Some of the best include CHÂTEAU CAPITOUL (one of ours!), CHÂTEAU L’HOSPITALET and CHÂTEAU DES ANGLES. Also a great place for bike rides, walks etc. cla-clape.com 81 DAYS OUT NARBONNE, LA CLAPE & GRUISSAN Château Les Carrasses S olargues tled layer Olargues Mons La Trivalle DAYS OUT " OLARGUES & THE GORGES D’HÉRIC Gorges d'Héric Combes Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS olargues Untitled layer Olargues Mons La Trivalle Gorges d'Héric Combes Château St Pierre de Serjac OLARGUES – 45 MINS GORGES D’HÉRIC – 45 MINS MORNING: Drive to OLARGUES taking the scenic drive through St. Chinian and St. Pons and spend a couple of hours wandering through its meandering medieval streets. Market day is Sunday. GPS: 43.556666, 2.913773. Some of the surrounding hamlets are all but forgotten and were a great hideout for the resistance, who camped out in this area during the second world war. LUNCH: Try one of the small bistros in the village centre or drive to MONS LA TRIVALLE, the starting point for the Gorges d’Héric. LA BARRAQUITA is the restaurant/snack bar at the canoe centre, 2 06 83 61 62 21. Alternatively, for a gastronomic experience try the AUBERGE DE COMBES in the village of Combes, about half an hour from Olargues 2 04 67 95 66 55. The food here is fantastic and there’s a lovely terrace with spectacular views (July & August: Tuesday–Sunday; April to June: Tuesday–Sunday for lunch; September to March: Wednesday–Sunday for lunch). The drive is not for the faint hearted at night. AFTERNOON: Drive to the GORGES D’HÉRIC to go swimming in the gorgeous rockpools. GPS: 43.572183, 2.966625 (see the River & Lake Beaches section). Alternatively, explore the many walking trails around the area or go canoeing on the river Orb. For a different scenic drive back to the Château, take the exit from the river valley road at Tarrasac and continue to Roquebrun. 82 DAYS OUT OLARGUES & THE GORGES D’HÉRIC S Sete tled layer Sète Bouzigues DAYS OUT " SÈTE, BOUZIGUES & MARSEILLAN Marseillan Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS Sete Untitled layer Sète Bouzigues Marseillan Château St Pierre de Serjac SÈTE, BOUZIGUES & MARSEILLAN – 1HR MORNING: These three towns are all based around the ETANG DE THAU (see Lagoon Beaches section), famous for its oyster beds. Drive to SÈTE – Languedoc’s biggest port, criss-crossed by canals and known as the ‘Venice’ of France. It’s a working port and always buzzy and interesting. Walk/drive to the top of the hill (MONT ST CLAIR) where you’ll find one of the most amazing panoramic views in the area. Alternatively, try the GOURMET WALKING TOUR OF SÈTE. This visit takes you along the canals sampling local specialities, meeting local fine food merchants and visiting the covered market – a temple of fish. 55€ per person. Booking in advance is required, please ask us to book for you or call Nancy at 2 06 13 23 10 35. LUNCH: Lunch in Sète won’t be a problem – there are over 200 restaurants! Try the Paris Méditerannée or Chez François. For a quieter setting drive to BOUZIGUES (13km north of Sète) and eat in any of the restaurants along the waterfront, La Perle Marine has a good reputation. Further round the lagoon, tucked away in the oyster farming area between Marseillan and Mèze, is LE ST BARTH SHELLFISH RESTAURANT. Here they farm and serve Tabouriech oysters, reputed to be the world’s finest. It’s a little tricky to find, but is worth searching for. Ask our concierge for directions before you go. 2 04 99 43 97 58 GPS: 43.3824398, 3.5564422 AFTERNOON: Take a trip on ‘THE OYSTER BOAT’, LE BLEU MARIN, to visit the oyster tables and learn how oysters are produced (the commentary is in French but they have a handout in English). 2 06 03 31 44 90 cpromenade-bouzigues.fr. Then drive to Marseillan, have a walk around the port, stopping for a coffee or ice cream in any one of the cafés lining the port. Call in at in the NOILLY PRAT FACTORY, home to the legendary Vermouth. 83 DAYS OUT SÈTE, BOUZIGUES & MARSEILLAN PS montpellier ntitled layer Montpellier DAYS OUT " MONTPELLIER Musée Fabre Le Grand Travers Le Petit Travers Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS montpellier Untitled layer Montpellier Musée Fabre Le Grand Travers Le Petit Travers Château St Pierre de Serjac MONTPELLIER – 1HR MORNING: Explore the old centre of Montpellier – Languedoc’s most beautiful city and France’s most popular city to live in. Visit the MUSÉE FABRE – the city’s main art gallery (closed on Mondays, open from 10am–6pm 2 04 67 14 83 00). Or just wander around, taking in the gorgeous architecture and lively atmosphere.There is great shopping too, along the streets leading off the PLACE DE LA COMÉDIE. You can also park under this fabulous square which is right in the middle of town. The walking tours that start from the Tourist Office are well worth taking as they show you inside some of the beautiful town mansions usually closed to the public. c ot-montpellier.fr/en/guided-tours-in-the-city. GPS: 43.609374, 3.881026 LUNCH: Try any of the wonderful outdoor cafés or restaurants. There is a square with cafés around every corner! Alternatively, head out to any of the beaches nearby and have lunch at one of the beach clubs. AFTERNOON: Lazing on the beach at Le Grand Travers or any other beach in the vicinity. 84 DAYS OUT MONTPELLIER PS st Guilhem titled layer DAYS OUT Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert " ST GUILHEM & THE PONT DU DIABLE Pont du Diable Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS st Guilhem Untitled layer Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert Pont du Diable Château St Pierre de Serjac ST GUILHEM – 1HR PONT DU DIABLE – 50 MINS MORNING: Stroll around the village of ST. GUILHEM, visiting the 10th century Romanesque church. It’s quite touristy, but worth it. There is a great natural perfume shop where they distil perfumes from plants and flowers in addition to dozens of small craft shops and galleries. The best views of the village are from above – if you can find the trail up the hills. GPS: 43.734096,3.549224 LUNCH: Any restaurant in St.Guilhem itself. There is a lovely square in the centre with lots of restaurants and cafés. LA TAVERNE DE L’ESCUELLE has a nice outdoor sitting area. 2 04 67 57 72 05. Or higher up the village there is the RESTAURANT DU VAL DE GELLONE 2 04 67 57 33 99 AFTERNOON: Swimming off the river beach at the PONT DU DIABLE (see the River and Lake Beaches section). On the way back from St. Guilhem, follow the D27 in the direction of St-Jean-de-Fos and a bit further upstream, you’ll see the canoe centres on your right. c canoe-pont-du-diable.com 2 04 67 96 67 70 and 2 06 09 84 66 91. Everyday from 10.30am–7.30pm. If you’re feeling energetic, you could also visit the GROTTE DE CLAMOUSE – spectacular caves only 15 minutes drive from St Guilhem. cclamouse.com/en; 2 04 67 57 71 05. GPS: 43.710804,3.552498. 85 DAYS OUT ST GUILHEM & THE PONT DU DIABLE Carcassonne yer DAYS OUT " CARCASSONNE & BIZE MINERVOIS cassonne -Minervois teau St Pierre de Serjac SPS Carcassonne Untitled layer Carcassonne Bize-Minervois Château St Pierre de Serjac CARCASSONNE – 1HR 15 BIZE-MINERVOIS – 50 MINS MORNING: The medieval city of CARCASSONNE is a World Heritage Site and the best and largest example of a medieval castle in the world. Make sure to check if the tenors are in the cathedral and ask them to sing for you... a spine tingling experience! c carcassonne-tourisme.com. There is a FESTIVAL with many free events from the 4th July–1st August so check out the programme at c festivaldecarcassonne.fr LUNCH: There’s a wide selection of restaurants and cafés within the walls of the city. The speciality of this region is the cassoulet, although it’s a bit heavy on a hot summer day! Alternatively, for a more peaceful dining experience, there are some lovely little restaurants on the banks of the canal in the village of TRÈBES. LE MOULIN DE TRÈBES for example has a relaxing terrace. CONTACT: Call to make a reservation at 2 04 68 78 97 57. AFTERNOON: Take the back road to the Château and stop off to see how olive oil is made at L’OULIBO IN BIZE-MINERVOIS. c odyssea.eu/oulibo. GPS: 43.299811, 2.870661. Guided tours (in French and English) last an hour and a half and cost just 6€ for adults and 4€ for children, or 16€ for a family. Don’t miss the olive oil tasting, they are all different and some are surprisingly spicy. Call to book at 2 04 68 41 95 84.  86 DAYS OUT CARCASSONNE & BIZE MINERVOIS S millau DAYS OUT " THE MILLAU VIADUCT & ROQUEFORT ed layer Viaduc de Millau Roquefort-sur-Soulzon Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS millau Untitled layer Viaduc de Millau Roquefort-sur-Soulzon Château St Pierre de Serjac MILLAU VIADUCT – 1HR 15 ROQUEFORT – 1HR 30 MORNING: Unmissable for anyone interested in modern architecture. Drive up the A75 to view the MILLAU VIADUCT. There is a visitor’s centre where you can get a great view of the tallest and one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe, if not the world. It was a collaboration between Norman Foster and Eiffage, the French company that built the Eiffel tower. You can also take a river tour under the bridge, a great way to really appreciate its size and splendour. Call to book 2 05 65 61 61 61. GPS: 44.0796, 3.0224 LUNCH: In the visitors centre for the bridge (surprisingly good!) or in any of a host of restaurants in the town of Millau. AFTERNOON: Not far from the Millau bridge is the VELORAIL – an abandoned railway that has been converted into a funride of sorts. Hire a velorail, a simple open-air bike carriage that you sit on while it zooms down a hill. On the way, you’ll glimpse superb views as you go over bridges and through tunnels. Alternatively visit the ROQUEFORT CAVES, (about 40 mins from the Viaduct) and learn how this famous cheese is made. GPS: 43.9766, 2.9894 87 DAYS OUT THE MILLAU VIADUCT & ROQUEFORT SPS Largesse Untitled layer Lagrasse DAYS OUT " LAGRASSE & THE CATHAR CASTLES Château de Quéribus Château de Puilaurens Abbaye de Fontfroide Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS Largesse Untitled layer Lagrasse Château de Quéribus Château de Puilaurens Abbaye de Fontfroide Château St Pierre de Serjac LAGRASSE – 1HR 30 LES CHÂTEAUX CATHARES – 2HRS MORNING: Visit LAGRASSE, a pretty village 40km south-west of Narbonne where you’ll find a beautiful medieval abbey. The town is very atmospheric and is worth a wander for an hour or two. You can also swim in the river here. GPS: 43.0944, 2.6188 LUNCH: In Lagrasse – in one of the lovely cafés that spill out onto the street. Inexpensive and picturesque. AFTERNOON: An hour’s drive further south through magnificent countryside is one of the famous Cathar castles, CHÂTEAU QUÉRIBUS AT CUCUGNAN. 2 04 68 45 03 69 c cucugnan.fr/fr/queribus-cucugnan/accueil. You can also visit CHÂTEAU PUILAURENS AT LAPRADELLE-PUILAURENS. 2 04 68 20 65 26 c payscathare.org. From the walls of both, you can see the other in the distance, as well as the Pyrénées and the Mediterranean. The Cathars were an 11th century sect that challenged the orthodoxy of the Catholic church. Alternatively, spend the afternoon wandering around and exploring CARCASSONNE. Or visit the ABBAYE DE FONTFROIDE – a magnificent 12th Century Cistercian Abbey. There’s also wine tasting (free for individuals, for a private testing please call 2 04 68 45 50 72) and a good restaurant: LA TABLE DE FONTFROIDE. For reservations please call 2 04 68 41 02 26. 88 DAYS OUT LAGRASSE & THE CATHAR CASTLES SPS Pyrenees Untitled layer Castelnou DAYS OUT " THE FOOTHILLS OF THE PYRÉNÉES Les Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt Villefranche-de-Conflent Fort Libéria St Martin du Canigou Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS Pyrenees Untitled layer Castelnou Les Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt Villefranche-de-Conflent Fort Libéria St Martin du Canigou Château St Pierre de Serjac CASTELNOU – 1HR 30 VILLEFRANCHE-DE-CONFLENT – 1HR 50 MORNING: Visit the pretty village of CASTELNOU 30 minutes south west of Perpignan. GPS: 42.619149,2.703016 and see the medieval castle perched on the top of the hill. And/or visit LES ORGUES DE ROUSSILLON with its weird sandstone formations close to Ile-sur-Têt, a must-see! LUNCH: Drive inland to the Unesco World Heritage Site of VILLEFRANCHE-DECONFLENT – a 45 minute drive from Perpignan. There are a few small restaurants in the centre, and a few local shops worth checking out but mostly it’s about absorbing the atmosphere as you stroll round the cobbled streets of this 11th century fortress town. cvillefranchedeconflent.com. GPS: 42.587356,2 .369849. AFTERNOON: Fort Liberia is linked to Villefranche by LE SOUTERRAIN DES 1000 MARCHES ... but how many steps are there really? Visit the military fort and find out. The historic narrow gauge steam train, LE PETIT TRAIN JAUNE also starts from Villefranche and takes you up to the highest train station in France, a fun way to see the fabulous scenery. Alternatively, drive up to ST MARTIN DE CANIGOU. Climb up the hill and keep climbing until you can see the abbey from above – sitting on a rocky outcrop. 89 DAYS OUT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE PYRÉNÉES SPS Perpignan Untitled layer Perpignan DAYS OUT " COLLIOURE & PERPIGNAN Collioure Canet-en-Roussillon Château St Pierre de Serjac SPS Perpignan Untitled layer Perpignan Collioure Canet-en-Roussillon Château St Pierre de Serjac COLLIOURE – 1HR 45 PERPIGNAN – 1HR 15 MORNING: Stroll around COLLIOURE, a pretty seaside village near the Spanish border known as the City of Painters. Follow LE CHEMIN DU FAUVISME, a path that exhibits twenty reproductions of Matisse’s and Derain’s work exactly where these two masters painted the originals earlier this century. Or just browse the galleries and craft shops. GPS: 42.516667, 3.083333. Then a couple of hours on the beach... LUNCH: In any of the cafés in the old town or overlooking the beach at Collioure. Alternatively, drive 35 minutes to Perpignan and eat in one of the many delicious tapas bars. AFTERNOON: Visit Perpignan, the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca in the 13th century, with it’s medieval historic centre, castle and a real Catalan vibe. You’ll find plenty of interesting shops, art galleries and café terraces. On the way back, stop off at CHÂTEAU L’ESPARROU at Canet-en-Roussillon (Route de Saint Cyprien) for a wine tasting, open from 10am–6pm in July and August. GPS: 42.688997, 3.02604. cchateau-esparrou.com 90 DAYS OUT COLLIOURE & PERPIGNAN 1 8 EXTRAXXXXXX INFORMATION
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