Sarah's Guidebook

Sarah
Sarah's Guidebook

Food scene

Every Tuesday morning a great bustling market is held here. Bursting full of fresh produce and lovely home wares and gifts too. Be sure to grab a table afterwards at one of the several cafes or restaurants and watch the world go by
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Olonzac
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Every Tuesday morning a great bustling market is held here. Bursting full of fresh produce and lovely home wares and gifts too. Be sure to grab a table afterwards at one of the several cafes or restaurants and watch the world go by
The market here, held every Wednesday morning is much bigger than Olonzac. It is less « touristy », with better prices! Visit the poissonnerie there too; a great choice and very lively!
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Lézignan-Corbières
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The market here, held every Wednesday morning is much bigger than Olonzac. It is less « touristy », with better prices! Visit the poissonnerie there too; a great choice and very lively!

Sightseeing

Homps is a super spot by the canal. Take a wander along the towpaths and enjoy the scenery, or simply sit at one of the several canal-side restaurants and watch the boats go by.
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Homps
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Homps is a super spot by the canal. Take a wander along the towpaths and enjoy the scenery, or simply sit at one of the several canal-side restaurants and watch the boats go by.
You really can’t miss seeing magical Carcassonne! Take a trip back into time and visit the Cité, and then drop down in the newer town (which is still quite old) and visit the graceful squares and the bastide. Place Carnot is a bustling square surrounded by charming cafés and shops
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Carcassonne
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You really can’t miss seeing magical Carcassonne! Take a trip back into time and visit the Cité, and then drop down in the newer town (which is still quite old) and visit the graceful squares and the bastide. Place Carnot is a bustling square surrounded by charming cafés and shops
We can never resist a trip to Narbonne. With the canal and a Roman pavement running through it, what’s not to love! Les Halles is consistently voted one of the best markets in France (not to be missed on a Sunday morning for pure theatre!) and there is a stunning new museum too, designed by Sir Norman Foster. Quaint little shopping streets lead off the square by the magnificent Cathédrale
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Narbonne
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We can never resist a trip to Narbonne. With the canal and a Roman pavement running through it, what’s not to love! Les Halles is consistently voted one of the best markets in France (not to be missed on a Sunday morning for pure theatre!) and there is a stunning new museum too, designed by Sir Norman Foster. Quaint little shopping streets lead off the square by the magnificent Cathédrale
This is such a pretty pink village, about 40 minutes away. Set up as a centre for wine, there are several restaurants and bars to while away a few hours, and it’s all pink! It’s a very pretty drive over too, and a visit to the wine cave is not to be missed! It’s shaped like a wine bottle from the air.
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Assignan
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This is such a pretty pink village, about 40 minutes away. Set up as a centre for wine, there are several restaurants and bars to while away a few hours, and it’s all pink! It’s a very pretty drive over too, and a visit to the wine cave is not to be missed! It’s shaped like a wine bottle from the air.
Minerve is a must-see! The parking is at the top of the village and well signed. From there it’s quite a steep walk down into the village, but it’s so worth it. Looking down, the outlook is down to the gorge de Brian is spectacular and the village itself has plenty of little shops and eating places to investigate. There are some lovely walks from there too, dropping right down into the gorge itself.
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Minerve
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Minerve is a must-see! The parking is at the top of the village and well signed. From there it’s quite a steep walk down into the village, but it’s so worth it. Looking down, the outlook is down to the gorge de Brian is spectacular and the village itself has plenty of little shops and eating places to investigate. There are some lovely walks from there too, dropping right down into the gorge itself.
A short drive from the villa, this is fabulous on a hot day. In the summer they have inflatables on the water, which are great for the children. Or you can relax in the beach area, or take a walk around. A restaurant is on site too, run by a young and enthusiastic couple who put on musical events in summer evenings. There are even some outside BBQ areas available for use too.
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Lac de Jouarres
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A short drive from the villa, this is fabulous on a hot day. In the summer they have inflatables on the water, which are great for the children. Or you can relax in the beach area, or take a walk around. A restaurant is on site too, run by a young and enthusiastic couple who put on musical events in summer evenings. There are even some outside BBQ areas available for use too.
Saint-Chinian is a centre for wine and a proper working town with a smashing market on Sundays. If you like walking, there are some great walks from the windmill
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Saint-Chinian
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Saint-Chinian is a centre for wine and a proper working town with a smashing market on Sundays. If you like walking, there are some great walks from the windmill
With the lovely Abbey, pretty streets and the river running through, this is well worth a visit
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Lagrasse
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With the lovely Abbey, pretty streets and the river running through, this is well worth a visit
Famous as a centre for books, this charming little town is a place well worth visiting, with shops, art galleries and eateries
Montoulieu
Famous as a centre for books, this charming little town is a place well worth visiting, with shops, art galleries and eateries
About 50 minutes drive away but so worth it. Such an interesting place to visit. You will learn all about how paper is made. There’s a lovely eating spot right on the river bank, and a nice little gift shop too. You can also book sessions to make your own paper
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The Paper Mill Brousses
5 Cambou
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About 50 minutes drive away but so worth it. Such an interesting place to visit. You will learn all about how paper is made. There’s a lovely eating spot right on the river bank, and a nice little gift shop too. You can also book sessions to make your own paper
If you’ve a head for heights, the recently constructed Passerelle is worth the trip. From there you can extend your visit into some pretty walks
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Mazamet
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If you’ve a head for heights, the recently constructed Passerelle is worth the trip. From there you can extend your visit into some pretty walks
Really close by, these Visigoth tombs are well worth visiting
Dolmen des Fades
Really close by, these Visigoth tombs are well worth visiting

A favourite eatery

One of our local favourites. Situated In Homps, 10 minutes drive away. There is a good menu choice to suit everyone and a great spot by the canal, with a lovely shaded courtyard for those hot days
La Péniche
19 Quai des Tonneliers
One of our local favourites. Situated In Homps, 10 minutes drive away. There is a good menu choice to suit everyone and a great spot by the canal, with a lovely shaded courtyard for those hot days
This is a great lunchtime spot. A simple but tasty menu, eaten overlooking the canal du midi, in the charming village of Paraza. The host, Cathy is charming and speaks good English too.
Au bord de l'eau
15 Rue du Port
This is a great lunchtime spot. A simple but tasty menu, eaten overlooking the canal du midi, in the charming village of Paraza. The host, Cathy is charming and speaks good English too.
A lovely spot right by the canal du midi in Argens-Minervois. Try items from the grillade menu, cooked over vine wood; it’s all good!
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La Guinguette
Rue de la Fontaine Fraîche
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A lovely spot right by the canal du midi in Argens-Minervois. Try items from the grillade menu, cooked over vine wood; it’s all good!
This is about one hour’s drive away at Leucate plage, but if you’re looking for cool beach vibes and a gourmet menu, this is the place to go! It was featured by Rick Stein when he toured France by canal. You can also rent a lounger on the beach from them for €10 per day. It is essential to book; it’s very popular
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Biquet Plage
Chemin de Mouret
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This is about one hour’s drive away at Leucate plage, but if you’re looking for cool beach vibes and a gourmet menu, this is the place to go! It was featured by Rick Stein when he toured France by canal. You can also rent a lounger on the beach from them for €10 per day. It is essential to book; it’s very popular
Less than 10 minutes’ drive away in a pretty area of the lovely village of La Livinière. Super food and a good wine selection too. My husband loves their burgers!
Les Meulieres
2 Pl. Occitane
Less than 10 minutes’ drive away in a pretty area of the lovely village of La Livinière. Super food and a good wine selection too. My husband loves their burgers!
Right on the banks of the canal, this offers an ever changing menu du jour and a super brunch on offer at the weekends too. It’s also an épicerie where you can buy good local wines, and other regional specialities.
Le Spot
Right on the banks of the canal, this offers an ever changing menu du jour and a super brunch on offer at the weekends too. It’s also an épicerie where you can buy good local wines, and other regional specialities.

Wine Tasting Tours

When in wine country, this is almost obligatory
They have a great team of people organising tours all round the area. English and French spoken
Vin en Vacances
4 rue du :Pont Vieux
They have a great team of people organising tours all round the area. English and French spoken

Beach life

Just 50 minutes away, Gruissan is a pretty and lively town. Don’t miss the Tour Barberousse for spectacular viws, and the Salin de Gruissan for the pink water and super fresh Seafood. Beaches to explore abound.
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Gruissan
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Just 50 minutes away, Gruissan is a pretty and lively town. Don’t miss the Tour Barberousse for spectacular viws, and the Salin de Gruissan for the pink water and super fresh Seafood. Beaches to explore abound.

For that city Buzz

Not called the Rose City, Toulouse is a great city to visit. With an excellent tram system it’s easy to get around, but very walkable too. I often take the train from our nearest station at Lézignan-Corbières which takes you right there in about an hour. To drive takes about 2 hours and there are park and ride facilities.
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Toulouse 1 University Capitole
2 Rue du Doyen Gabriel Marty
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Not called the Rose City, Toulouse is a great city to visit. With an excellent tram system it’s easy to get around, but very walkable too. I often take the train from our nearest station at Lézignan-Corbières which takes you right there in about an hour. To drive takes about 2 hours and there are park and ride facilities.