Plan your holiday in the Languedoc using our top 20 places to visit…
Many of our guests return each year for longer stays at La Souqueto accommodation. They are drawn to this calm, quiet and authentic corner of S W France by the rich variety of history, geography and Mediterranean coastline. We have explored this region extensively over the past 12 years and to help guests plan their holiday in the Languedoc, we’ve shared some of our most favourite places to visit.
The Languedoc, now called Occitanie is an historical coastal region in southern France extending from Provence to the Pyrenees Mountains and the border with Catalonia (Spain). This large department of France has everything one would need to enjoy an extended holiday.
It offers hiking, cycling, swimming in lakes, rivers and The Mediterranean, or kayaking, wind surfing and tours on the Canal du Midi, to wine tasting and visiting local restaurants and exploring a thousand years of Cathar history by visiting castles and ancient burial grounds.
A comprehensive list of 20 bespoke day trips for you to choose from…
We have selected and shared here some of our favourite things to see and do in order to help you plan your holiday in the Languedoc. Please also use the other blogs here to support your search.
1. Visit Minerve and local historic Villages.
Take the car to the historic and beautiful Cathar village of Minerve. Its 20 mins from La Souqueto and 10 mins from Maison d’été Gite. The car park is situated behind the village and there’s a short walk down into Minerve. Visit the Chapel, if it’s locked just ask for the key at the Marie. There is a local cafe/bar and eateries, craft and Art shops and two magnificent restaurants, Relais Chantovant and Deux Rivières, both perfect for special occasions or experiencing high end authentic French cuisine. Views from their terraces are stunning.
Don’t forget to explore the restored ramparts within the village and the cathedral like cave just along the dry river bed. There are also a series of walks from Minerve. As you head down from the car park look out for an iron cross on your left, just before the first house. There is a path that leads down to an ancient Mill and bridge. It’s a lovely, cool place to swim in summer. Take a picnic. Walk past the Mill and follow the track 40 minutes to a restored foot bridge over the River Bryan. You will need walking boots and plenty of water. At the bridge you can either head back where you have come from our continue the circular route back. This part is not for the faint hearted and its at least a two hour trip in full.
As you return from Minerve make sure you drop into the village of La Caunette just a few minutes down the hill. Park up and head into the centre of this small village, walk through the ancient archway and up into the original fortified village. La Caunette has a good cafe/ bar and an award winning restaurant called La Cave. An excellent wine Domaine called Coupe Roses is situated on the road out of La Caunette for a wine tasting.
To sample some of the best local wines, drive to the UTILE shop in the village of Aigues-vives a few minutes from La Caunette. You’ll be surprised how reasonable the prices are! Look out for wine from Cailhol Gautran, Domaine de Paguignan, Domaine de Vordy, Domaine Coupe Roses, Domaine de Babio and Les Tuileries d’Aigne. All the domaines welcome wine tastings.
As you’re in the area, visit the village of Aigne. Park up walk through the ancient archway next to the Marie offices and experience the unique architecture consisting of the original curved Main Street that winds its way the the heart of the village. We highly recommend you book a meal at a great restaurant called Lo Cagoral. Don’t miss the superb wine shop called Vigne Vierge. The owner, Anne-Sophie also offers tapas and an a La Carte menu. You can contact her through her Instagram page Vigne_vierge_34210.
2. Sunday Market at St Chinian and onto the village of Roquebrun.
Most of the villages/Towns in our area have a set day for a Market. Saint Chinian’s is on Sunday. Its situated in the main square set under huge Plane Trees. Literally anything can be bought at this Market. Wonderful meats and cheeses, Oysters and Moule. We usually head off early in the morning to buy items to make a picnic, then after a relaxed coffee we head off for a walk or a swim near Roquebrun.
Saint Chinian is an important Wine Town for the whole Occitanie region. The biggest selection of the very best wines from the Languedoc/Occitanie region can be found at Espace Vin de Saint Chinian, just up the road from the high street. It is open on Sundays too!
From the Market at Saint Chinian drive to the lovely village of Roquebrun. It’s situated in the foothills of the Mountain Noire. It’s a place where one can walk in the surrounding hills or countryside or explore the ancient village with its Church on top of the hill or swim in the river. There is also a magnificent Mediterranean Garden to explore. The views of the river Orb are fabulous!
If you’re visiting between June and end of September, Canoe Roquebrun hire out kayaks to explore the wonderful gin clear river Orb. Take a leisurely trip down river stopping off on beaches for relaxing, swimming and picnics. There’s a choice of distances too from 5Km, 10Km, 15Km and 20Km. Every year our family and friends gather for trips on the river. I think we’re up to 24 so far!!
Roquebrun has a local bar and two good restaurants, Le Petit Nice and La Cave Saint Martin. Its always best to book restaurants in advance. In most cases you can send them a message if you don’t feel comfortable phoning. Do remember, Plat du jours (lunch) is eaten between 12 and 2pm.
3. Rent bikes for a tour down river along the Canal du Midi to a restaurant.
Renting bikes (classic or Electric) is a great way to spend a day in the Languedoc. We use a company called BigUp Cycling in the village of Saint Nazaire. This company delivers bikes too. They have maps and routes that you can pick up, but as we are keen cyclists we would like to make a few suggestions ourselves. If you stick to the Canal du Midi then you will experience a trip without hills…if you’re based at La Souqueto then you can access the Canal from our back door. Head down river towards Capestang. We highly recommend you stop for lunch at either restaurant Pourquoi Par or cycle further to Capestang where there is a variety of restaurants or even onto Les Platanes in the village of Poilhes.
4. Rent bikes for a tour up river along the Canal du Midi to the village of Homps.
An alternative route for cycling is to head up stream passing through the villages of Le Somail, Ventenac, Paraza, Roubia, Argens Minervois to Homps. We recommend two establishments, La Peniche (Pizzas) and En Bonne Compagnie
5.The village of Assignan.
In 2007 a rich Belgian entrepreneur called Marc Verstraete bought the ruins of Chateau Castigno in the village of Assignan. Over the past 18 years he has built a new Chateau and invested heavily in transforming the Castigno vineyards. Marc has also bought properties within Assignan village where he has established a variety of restaurants, bars and artisan shops. Its a fascinating place to visit by car or bike!! We highly recommend the Chateau Castigno Wine Cave for wine tasting. It is conducted in English every day at 4pm (go to the website to book your tour).
We highly recommend the Thai Restaurant called Le Thai, or La Petite Table or Maison Robert. Go to the multi lingual chateaucastigno.com website to book your table.
There are also circular walks around Assignan too if you are feeling energetic!
6. Book a day cruise on the Canal du Midi on our boat Nova.
Explore the southern stretches of the Canal du Midi. We offer piloted tours for guests staying at La Souqueto accommodation. Nova, a 12.5 metre steel cruiser is situated just a few minutes from our B&B La Souqueto. Minimum duration is 3 hours (€80 per hour for the boat and pilot). We encourage guests to bring a picnic! We also incorporate as part of a cruise, a taxi service to restaurants on the banks of the Canal.
7. Fontfroide Abbey and Lagrasse
Fontfroide Abbey is situated just 15 kilometres from our local City of Narbonne. It was founded in 1093 by Aimery 1, Viscount of Narbonne. The Abbey is considered of great Architectural interest and has been beautifully restored by private owners. Today, International music concerts are held throughout the year at the Abbey. Wine is produced here of the AOC Corbieres quality under the French appellations system. It is sold in the Abbey shop.The gardens have been beautifuly landscaped and there is a walk to a cross situated on the hill above the Abbey.
Combine the visit to Fontfroide with a trip to the beautiful ancient village of Lagrasse. It is part of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association. Lagrasse was built to support the needs of the eponymous Abbey which was constructed around 900. It is still a working Abbey. The village is full of ancient history, original bridges and medieval streets. Look out for the Market square.
8. Drive/cycle to Saint Jean Minervois for wine and Gin tasting.
Saint Jean Minervois is famous for producing Muscat Wine. It’s a half our drive (an hour by bike) from La Souqueto. The village is situated in the foothills of the Mountain Noire and the vineyards are planted amongst limestone. Locals drink Muscat as an aperitif to help tune the taste buds! For a tasting we highly recommend visiting Domaine de Montahuc. They have a range of Muscats to suite different food types. Acclaimed British Wine critic, Jancis Robinson, commented that Montahucs Muscats are the best in the World! This domain also produces outstanding red wine.
We also recommend that you visit the Domaine Clos du Gravillas. Its literally a minute walk from Montahuc. John who is originally from Kentucky, and his French wife have created the most fabulous range of wines. It’s well worth a visit!
As you are on a roll, head for Distillerie du Petit Grain, Saint Jeans very own Artisan Gin producer. The owners are both teachers with a passion for Gin. They operate out of a small barn alongside their home. They have won countless awards.
For drinks, lunch or evening meal head over to La Petit Table at Assignan, just a few kilometres away.
9. Visit domaine de Barroubio, a walk to the Eglise de trou and meal at Le Jardin Tranquille.
Another day full of adventure!! Domaine de Barroubio is ancient farm that has been in the same family since the 11th Century. As you approach the house and farm buildings they look condemned, but stop and knock on the door and the owners will be keen to offer you a tasting. From there head to the village of Gimios, a tiny hamlet that sits between Saint Jean and Barroubio. Find a place to park and walk along the road signed to the Eglise de trou (Church). It’s a 10 minute walk through vineyards. Look out for a sharp right turn down a wooded track that feels like ‘middle earth’. The Church sits at the bottom, open but no longer in use, but still obviously cherished. As an interesting aside, the path that continues up past the Church leads to Barroubio. Finally head back up the path and the first house on your left is a great little restaurant owned by a Belgian lady called Le Jardin Tranquille.
10. Beach day one. Leucate Plage.
The Beaches on The Mediterranean are less than an hour away. Our favorite is Leucate Plage with its golden sands, beach bars and Oyster shacks. We usually book lunch or an evening meal at one of two beach bars, Le Poulpe and Biquet Plage. Both places have their own car parks situated very close to the beach. There are a variety of other bars and restaurants in the main beach area. For lovers of Moules and Oysters walk along the beach away from the main resort to the numerous shacks situated at the inlet to the etang (inland lake).
11. Beach day two. Gruissan Plage, La Perle Gruissanaise restaurant and Gruissan Town.
Gruissan is a beautiful coastal town on the Mediterranean. The beach is situated 5 minutes by car from the town and its golden sands extend out around the bay.This area is famous for wind and kite surfing. International championships are held here each year. For lovers of shell fish head to quiet end of the beach, and visit restaurant La Perle Gruissanaise. It’s a locals favourite, shabby chic, but well worth the visit.
If you want to skip the beach and visit Gruissan town, the Market is on a Saturday. We recommend going in early and have a coffee and pastry at a boulangerie called Patisserie Artisanale Bernard on Place General Gibert. Its a great start to the day! The Market sits just in front of the boulangerie. The town has shops and restaurants a lovely maritime Church and a fort.
After the trip to the Town get back into the car and head to Gruissan’s salt flats, Le Salin de L’ile Saint-Martin de Gruissan. Park up and head to the shop for a salty experience! If you want an intriguing view of the salt flats while eating, we recommend visit restaurant next door called La Cambuse du Saunier.
Before heading home, turn left out of the car park and make for the tiny, beautiful fishing village of Ile Saint Martin. This village overlooks the Etang de Barge, once used by Roman ships to bring trade goods to Narbonne.
12. City visit one. Beziers
Beziers is experiencing a renaissance right now with major restoration and development works being undertaken (and ongoing). We recommend you park the car at the famous 9 locks at Fonseranes, (Les 9 Ecluses de Fonseranes) on the Canal du Midi. Walk down passed the locks and follow the dedicated path to the Centre of Beziers, walking along the river Orb and over the restored Roman bridge and up to the Cathedral.
Visit the newly restored covered Market and wander through the narrow streets of the old town where you’ll find fabulous bars and restaurants. Our favourite place is Pica Pica.
When returning home, stop off at the village of Capestang. It’s based on the Canal du Midi and the central square is shaded by the canopy of very large Plane trees and makes a wonderful place to sit with a coffee or beer and watch the locals world go by. We often head off early in the morning to Capestang, buy the most fabulous pastry from Au Palais des Saveurs on the square buy a coffee at the bar on the corner and eat our almond chocolate croissants there.
13. City visit two. Narbonne
Narbonne is a lovely low rise City with a massive Roman history. It was established by the Roman republic in 118BC, and named Narbo. In front of the Cathedral sits the original ‘road to Rome’. The Canal du Robine passes through the City and is flanked by a boulevard of Plane tress with bars and restaurants.
Visit the famous Les Halles in door Market where fresh fish, meat, cheese and fruit are sold from Market stalls surrounded by cafes and bars.We recommend eating at Chez Bebelle, the owner is a famous local rugby player, who uses his megaphone to order meat from neighbouring stall owners. They, in turn wrap the food and throw it to him. Pure theatre! It’s very popular, so make sure you arrive before 12 midday in order to get a seat. The Market closes at around 1.30pm each day.
Visit the new and amazing roman museum called Narbo Via. Designed by famous Architects Norman Foster Associates, its a must do to fully appreciate the massive influence the Romans had on this region.
If you’re looking for a memorable feast, then you must go to the famous Narbonne Grand Buffet. It’s so popular that one must book it months in advance!
To complete the day experience Bages and Pyriac der Mer, lovely quiet villages on the Etang de Bages. Bages boasts a hilltop view of the Etang (lake), has a small central square with a village shop and bar. Drive onto Pyriac der Mer passing small inlets of water where Flamingos are often seen. Pyriac has a boardwalk that leads to stunning views over The Med. Walk the tiny lanes through the houses to the square with its bar and ancient Church.
14. City visit 3. Carcassonne Cite.
Carcassone has become probably the most famous City in this region. The walled Cite which is situated 10 minutes away from Carcassonne Town is the third most visited historic monument in France. It was restored by the Victorians and is imposing, a real sight to behold when driving past on the main routes. A warning, it gets very busy! It’s a little too much like Disney and plastic swords for our liking but intriguing nevertheless. It’s difficult to find a good restaurant in the Cite. We recommend a lovely place situated alongside a lock at Trebes called Le Moulin de Trebes. The Chef is Belgian and the quality of food is superb. The plats du jour (lunch) is great value.
On your return take a less direct route home taking in the villages Felines Minervois, Siran, Cesseras and Minerve.
15. Castles and Gorge day out. Queribus & Peyrepertuse Castles and Gorge de Galamus.
Queribus castle is known as one of the five sons of Carcassonne, along with Peyrepertuse, Aguilar, Termes and Puilaurens, five Castles strategically placed to defend the French border against the Spanish, until the border was moved in 1659.They are situated under 2 hours from our locations and well worth the visit. Both Castles are just 4 kilometres apart and are both doable in a day. We tend to combine one Castle with a trip to the Gorge de Galamus a few kilometres away.
16. Pezenas and Oysters at Bouzigues.
Combine a day visiting enchanting town of Pezenas with a trip to the Etang de Thai for Oysters!
Pezenas is a beautiful historic town with cobbled streets, stunning 16th and 17th century French Mansion houses, a good selection of cafes and restaurants and fabulous weekly Market on Saturdays. Famous French playwright, Moliere lived in Pezenas. Apart from its impressive architecture Pezenas is probably most famous for its number of Brocantes (Antique shops) selling a huge array of goods from French linen, furniture, paintings, fine lighting and glassware. Our house is adorned with some beautiful items bought from Pezenas!
We usually tie in a trip to the village of Bouzigues either before or after a visit to Pezenas. There is nothing like sitting, looking out to sea enjoying prawns, moulds and Oysters with a glass of cool white wine…we recommend Les Jardins d’Oc or Le Man du Grand Pere
17. Cycling the ‘voir vert’ from Olargue.
It takes an hour to drive to the ancient village of Olargue. Velo Rique rent out electric and classic bikes from the village. They will direct you to the old railway station where you can tour the Voir Vert, a converted railway line 80 kilometres in length from Mazamet to Bedarieux. Olargue sits roughly halfway along the route so you have the choice of going left or right. The voir vert cycle path has been expertly prepared incorporating the railway bridges and tunnels that light up as you pass through them. You can do as much or as little as you like realising that the cycle ride must be a return trip. We take a picnic and make a day of it.
18. Walking Gorge d’Héric.
The Gorge d’Héric is situated in the heart of the ‘Parc Natural Régional du Haut-Languedoc’ and roughly 1.5 hours from our accommodation. You will pass through the village of Mons (also on the Voir Vert cycle route) and sign posts will lead you to a large car park. It is such a beautiful gorge with the river Orb running down its entire length. There is a dedicated closed road that leads up the gorge to the tiny hamlet of Héric. The walk takes 1.5 hours but we’ve never done it in this time as we always stop off at the numerous pools on the way for a swim, sun bathe and picnic. Reaching the top, you’ll be rewarded with a small cafe to buy refreshments. At the end of your walk we recommend you drive down the wonderful winding roads that lead to Roquebrun and home.
19. A day trip to either Cadeques, Girona or Barcelona.
We love Spain and particularly Catalonia. Within two hours you could be exploring the wonderful seaside town of Cadeques. It’s most famous resident was painter Salvador Dali. Tours of his house and studio are available and must be booked online. Its a must if you can…
Girona is a gorgeous place to visit (and two hours from our accommodation) with medieval walls, narrow winding city streets, and one of the best preserved Jewish Quarters in Europe. It was recently made famous by the filming of Game of Thrones…
Barcelona rather speaks for itself…its three hours by car but there are frequent trains from Narbonne.
20. Les Orgues d’Ile -sur-Têt and the village of Eus in the Pyrenees.
A visit to the Pyrenees is always an exciting adventure. In Winter we head to one of a number of ski resorts usually for the day! Hiking the Pyrenees is very popular too, but a great way of sampling what the Pyrenees, west of the City of Perpignan has to offer is combing a visit to the wonderful natural rock formation known as les Orgues of Ile sur Têt with its unique landscape, with tall pillars of white sandy rock sculpted by nature with the stunning hill top village of Eus, considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. It’s an unusual stone village which is popular with artists which has unobstructed views over Mount Canigou.
21. Other City visits. Montpelier, Nimes and Toulouse
Montpelier, Nimes and Toulouse are under 2 hours from our locations. Montpelier is a thriving student City and now an important IT hub for France. We park just off the A9 motorway and take a tram into its centre (saves the stress of navigating the centre). Nimes is another very important Roman City. The Roman Museum is excellent as is the Roman amphitheatre! Toulouse is very cosmopolitan, busy and thriving.
We offer three types of accommodation to suit your holiday needs.
We provide a variety of accommodation solutions that allow guests to stay for longer in our region…
- La Souqueto B&B answers many of the accommodation needs of couples, family’s or groups. We have three restored and authentic boutique rooms ranging from a mini suite to a twin and double room.
- Our self catering, air conditioned apartment with sun terrace that sleeps four in comfort gives families the independence to manage their own family catering needs.
- Maison d’été, our three bedroom Gite based in the tiny hamlet of Babio with swimming pool is situated very near the historic village of Minerve.
