Carcassonne - Largest fortified town Europe

CARCASSONNE –– The largest fortified medieval town in Europe and a World Heritage Site.

The Citadel

A former Cathar stronghold, Carcassonne (www.carcassonne-tourisme.com) is most famous for its stunning fortified ‘cite’. Situated on the equally famous Canal du Midi (also a World Heritage Site), it is rich in history and offers a wide range of cultural and music events.

 
To explore the region, why not stay in one of South France Villas properties:

AU026A Domaine de Marseillens and AU006A Chateau Aragon  are ideally situated for exploring both Carcassonne and the rich and diverse attractions of the Aude region.

 A6 Chateau Aragon

A26 Domaine de Marseillens

The walled city offers a range of restaurants and shops in a striking and historic setting, whilst the nearby lower town is alive with all kinds of entertainment, including theaters, music venues and cinemas. There are many bars and restaurants, giving the opportunity to sample the excellent local wines and cuisine - why not try Chez Fred

Like an oasis in the desert Lac du Cavayere nestles close to Carcassonne and offers a large lake with water activities and a beach!

The Famous 5 Day Feria in Beziers & Much Much More

Once the Languedocien stronghold of Catharism, the modern day Beziers offers you festivals, history, the Canal du Midi and Mediterranean beaches just 6kms from the town, what more could you want!  

Peyrepertuse Cathar Castle

(Our property La Garenne ( HE029A) is ideally placed to explore all of this and more).

The Cathedal in the centre of Beziers - Sainte-Nazaire rises above the cobbled streets the panoramic view over the Orb River is stunning and the town boasts boutiques galore and a plethora of restaurants including the L’Ambassade, which recently got a good review in the local Anglo/French Magazine – the Herault Times.

Cathedral at Beziers

This region is also a prolific wine producing area offering a vast array of wonderful wines for you to enjoy - Check out: www.languedoc-wines.com 

People come from far afield for the famous 5 day Feria of Beziers held around 15th August every year – bull fighting may not be to everyone’s taste, but the spectacle is amazing and the street party atmosphere with open air bodegas and live music is enthralling and definitely worth a visit - www.ville-beziers.fr

Beziers Feria

Collioure - A Hidden Gem: Picasso, Matisse, Modern Art & Anchovies

Nestling in a most attractive cove, between Perpignan and the Spanish Border, Collioure is a real treasure to explore and is only a few minutes walk from one of South France Villas properties Villa La Voile.

                                  

With it’s history of attracting Writers, Poets (Antonio Manchado) and Artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Derain (the Master of Fauvism) and Chagall, the Museum of 
Modern Art  -  it’s cobbled streets, summer festivals, beaches, plethora of restaurants - La Voile de Neptune -  , markets and the local speciality of Anchovies  - Collioure is a must visit!

AOC wine

                 

Plus the wine is excellent too – AOC Banyuls and Collioure -  www.abberous.com and don’t forget to try the local Croquant Almond biscuits! available from the shop that sells Regional Specialities at 8 rue Berthelot, Collioure

Collioure, “the village of light” has everything for a magical stay.

Pezenas - Famous for Moliere, Bite Sized Tower Shaped Pies & Saturday Markets

The lovely town of Pezenas , only 20 minutes from the Mediterranean beaches and Beziers, offers history, lovely architecture, culture (Moliere lived there for a time),  restaurants and bars galore, cafes and boutiques plus a fantastic Saturday market.

The town is with walking distance of  Les 3 Pins (HE042A) which has  it’s own tennis court
and is also only 6kms from the fabulous luxury property,  Chateau du BeauParc  and just 8kms from the lovely Maison de Maitre (HE030A).

Chateau du Beau Parc
(HE068A)

HE030A Le Manoir

Don’t forget to try the “Petit Pate de Pezenas”  (bite size savoury tower shaped pies) originally brought to the area by Clive of India!          

 To top up your tan, the family resorts of Grau d’Agde and 
Rochelongue  and Valras Plage are easily accessible -

Eze-sur-Mer

EZE-SUR-MER AND EZE VILLAGE - IDYLLIC RIVIERA ESCAPE

The village of Eze (www.eze-riviera.com) is a stone’s throw from the magical Monte Carlo and South France Villas property AM006A Villa Eze 

AM006A Villa Eze

Villa Eze is the perfect location to explore this traditional village, (also known as the “eagles nest” due to its amazing views) and the world famous Riviera.

Follow the village cobbled street (which the donkeys use to transport goods and luggage!) and take coffee on the balcony of the Chateau Eza Restaurant - www.chateauezarestaurant.com which will afford you a unsurpassed vista of the Cote d’Azur coastline 

or meander through the Exotic Gardens at the very peak of the village and enjoy the stunning views and get some “Zen time”.

Or if the mood takes you head off to the Casino at Monte Carlo www.monte-carlo.mc

Villefranche Sur Mer

VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER  - Chic living on the Cote d'Azur.

AM029A Villa Sur Mer

This lovely chic “fishing port” between Nice and Monte Carlo is the ideal location to enjoy all  that this wonderful part of the Cote d’Azur has to offer and if you are staying at South France Villas property AM029A Villa Sur Mer all of this and more is on your doorstep. 

www.villefranche-sur-mer.com

Why not meander down to the waterfront, take an aperitif, people watch and enjoy the  hustle and bustle harbour side as the private yachts anchor in the bay, before visiting one it’s most famous restaurants La Mere Germaine  established in 1938 it’s tradition of fine tables, hospitality, comfort and gastronomy - specialities of fish and seafood particularly the famous bouillabaisse, one of the best in the Region…

Don’t forget too an hommage to Jean Cocteau (writer, poet, artist) is in Villefranche-sur-Mer – so you can get some culture! www.jeancocteau.com

MARSEILLAN

The Rive Gauche in Marseillan - www.marseillan.com is a lovely spot to while away those long holiday lunches, sit on the port and enjoy tapas or oysters in the array of restaurants lining the port.  Noilly Prat is opposite so why not take the tour – it is fascinating!

If you are staying at at one of South France Villas properties in the Herault, Languedoc Roussillon, such as HE011A Villa Ramistan, the village and port of Marseillan are just a stone’s throw away.