A walk away: Things to do near your private holiday villa in Provence

Let’s face it, if you’ve taken the decision to rent a private villa in the south of France, then one of the main attractions is the freedom to get outside and explore Provence by foot.  To help you plan your trip we've put together some of our best tips to help you to make the most of your private villa’s surroundings, and all within walking distance.

   

Your Provencal holiday home away from home

Truthfully we wouldn’t blame you if you never want to leave your French villa. You can enjoy a swim in your private pool as you look over some of Provence’s famous landscapes, whether it be its rolling hills of Aix-en-Provence or the cliffy coastline of Cassis. 

Plus the beauty of a private holiday villa is that you can treat it like your home away from home; let the kids run free in the garden or splash in the private pool to their heart's content.

 Browse the local market and village shops

Of course with so many local amenities it would be a shame not to make the most of it. Why not stroll into the local village? Not only will you pass beautiful scenery, but it will give you the chance to pick up something special to eat. Browse your local market or head to the boulangerie for some fresh bread.  French wine and cheese are never a bad idea!

Enjoy Provence’s famous cuisine

The freedom of a private holiday villa also gives you endless ways to enjoy your tasty treats. Cook up something special in the kitchen with your authentic Provencal ingredients. Or you could wander over to the local bistro and eat like the French, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Many Provencal markets, like the one in the town of Uzes , even offer food from street vendors that is simply to die for. Large holiday villa near Uzes 

Get active in the great outdoors

For those times when you want to really get your body moving, there’s so much to do within a short walk from the holiday villa. Get the family together for a walk around Provence’s spectacular hills that it’s so well known for. Or if you’re the sporty type, perhaps a private villa with a local tennis court would be more to your taste?

However you choose to enjoy your holiday in your private Provence holiday villa, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. With so much on your doorstep you can really live like a local and won’t even need to touch a guide book. Immerse yourself in the Provencal countryside and unwind in your home away from home.

Best Languedoc Restaurant in the Summer - L’Auberge du Presbytère

L’Auberge du Presbytère is a gourmet French restaurant not far from the village of Vailhan, at the centre of the Herault department. The restaurant overlooks the lower lake of the Barrage (dam) des Olivettes and from the terrace you have a spectacular panoramic view of the Massif Viel Castel.

The produce is always fresh and mostly local, and the chef Baptiste uses seasonal produce in imaginative and delicate ways. Saffron, basil, red quinoa, green beans, celeriac and courgette feature alongside delicious meats and fish.

They offer a selection of fine goats cheese from the Mas Rolland farm very close by in Montesquieu as well as a seasonal cheese selection; both accompanied by sucrine lettuce and hazelnut oil. Wild peach, blueberries, redcurrants and prunes are used in a range of inventive desserts and they serve an extensive list of regional wines.

Baptiste and Marine manage to maintain simplicity whilst introducing many different flavours to their dishes. It works; the salmon Carpaccio was perfectly cut and served fresh without seasoning, allowing the anchovy and parmesan sauce (served artistically beside the fish) to complement but not overpower it. The saffron sauce was full of flavour and the light, succulent courgette added refreshment to the dish. The end result was a truly flavoursome and fresh.

Their presentation is smart and simple, yet not too refined (portion sizes are spot on). Spiralled metal chairs and a simple green and white colour scheme fit effortlessly with the historical beauty of the church and the abundance of greenery surrounding it.

We arrived as the sun was beginning to set behind the mountain, casting a low, warm light on the whole restaurant. It was so tranquil to sit facing the stunning valley from the terrace. What’s more, the service was quick and friendly and Baptiste served the amuse bouche to each table, beautifully describing what we were about to savour.

        

Our conclusion: for locally-sourced, imaginative cuisine in a beautiful, serene setting with service the way it should be, the price is good.

Don’t forget to walk around Vailhan before or after your meal; see the Dam and lake des Olivettes and take the winding road between the mountains- past vegetable gardens, churches and flower-lined pathways from the village to the restaurant.

Stay in the nearby Chateau St Marthe - it is only 15 minutes drive from the Auberge de Presbytere and has it's own private tennis court, large pool and a beautiful nature park as well as fantastic views over the surrounding vineyards - pictures below:

Where to drink in Beziers? - Le Chameau Ivre (The Drunken Camel)

This fabulous Béziers wine bar is an absolute must. It is very popular, as the owner, Philippe Catus, is a highly renowned wine merchant. Le Chameau Ivre has at its disposal 3500 different wines.


The walls of the interior are completely hidden because of the huge number of wine bottles stacked in elegant wooden racks surrounding the entire space. Although the bar is situated in the centre of town, when sitting inside you feel as though you could be in the wine cellar of a noble Domaine. There is also a very pretty outside seating area with high chairs and tables and large white summer parasols. Occasionally live bands are hired to play at weekends.

Not only does it offer an extremely wide range of delicious wines but it also harbours some of the best tapas in Béziers. At the centre of the boutique sits an island where you can see the tapas being prepared.

Here a just a few examples of these tasty aperitif nibbles to give you an idea of the quality:
On the spot they slice very thin pieces of mouth-watering, organic “jambon Serrano” right off the leg, which hangs in a very authentic French style.

They serve a delightful assortment of black and green “tapenades” that are brought to you with fresh, daily-baked “pain au levain”. (Sourdough bread)
Lunch and dinner menus are also available at very reasonable prices (lunch 10€, dinner 15€).

For those of you who have not quite reached the status of “wine-connoisseur”, luckily enough the owners and other staff working there have. They will give you great recommendations depending on what you are eating or even on your mood!         
                                                         
Contact

04 67 80 20 20
15, place Jean Jaures 34500 Beziers

Closed every Sunday and Monday