Travel time: 5 minutes to the start of the trail • Quarante → Cruzy by bike: ~15 minutes

Step out the door and you’re practically in wine country. The path begins near the Cave Cooperative, just a quick wander from your maison. From there, follow the little green signs through vineyards that shimmer gold in autumn and burst with new leaves in spring. 

It’s a relaxed loop you can walk or cycle, with Cruzy just a breezy 15-minute pedal away for a quick coffee before rolling back. 

If you fancy company, our American friend Ira leads weekly rambles with a delightful mix of locals and internationals — tell us and we’ll add you to the crew.

Travel time: Béziers – 25 minutes • Narbonne – 25 minutes

Treasure hunters and brocante browsers, rejoice. The region is sprinkled with good quality brocantes, flea markets, and village vide-greniers where you can rummage for vintage ceramics, linens, and quirky finds. 

For a proper weekend fix, we love  the Saturday afternoon brocante in Béziers, a lively, colourful sprawl of stalls perfect for bargain-spotting and people-watching.

Narbonne’s Les Halles and its riverside markets also serve up a gorgeous mix of food, flowers, antiques, and local flavours.

Travel time: 5 minutes

Yes, we’re lucky — a fairytale château is literally around the corner. 

Château Les Carrasses is your spot for something a little special: dinner in a beautiful setting, a coffee overlooking the infinity pool, or attending one of their elegant events. 

It’s sophisticated, casually elegant  without being stuffy, and I loved the vibe of their dark wood dining room. It's  a wonderful excuse to dress up for dinner… or just enjoy a relaxed afternoon drink with vineyard views.

Travel time: varies — most major sites within 20–40 minutes.

This corner of Occitanie is packed with centuries-old charm. Start by exploring the heart of Quarante with its centuries-old Église Sainte-Marie, a Romanesque gem with cool stone arches and a calm, timeless hush.  Step inside and down through  its metal gates, for a moment of quiet.  Outside I love the  village square that’s wrapped around it. 

Pop by Narbo Via — Narbonne, the brand-new (2021) archaeological museum dedicated to the Roman city of Narbo Martius. The region’s newest archaeological showstopper — a sleek, modern museum packed with Roman artifacts from the days when Narbonne was the capital of Gaul. 

Wander past its extraordinary “stone wall” of ancient inscriptions, explore mosaics and relics, and lose yourself in 2,000 years of history brought brilliantly back to life.

Across the region, expect Roman ruins, medieval villages, ancient churches, and fortified hilltops that reward every climb with a spectacular view. 

Wander the narrow lanes of stone-built towns, visit local museums, or simply explore at your own pace — there’s history tucked around every corner.

Travel time: Nearest access point 10–15 minutes.

One of France’s most beautiful yet quiet wonders, the Canal du Midi drifts through the landscape with plane trees, little bridges, and slow-moving boats setting the scene. It's simply gorgeous.

We love to walk alongside near Capestang. You can  cycle it, or hop aboard a barge cruise for the afternoon. 

Bring a picnic, a book and find a shady spot, and watch life gently drift by. 

It’s a must-do for anyone seeking that iconic South of France magic.

Travel time: Béziers – 25 minutes • Narbonne – 25 minutes.

Your two closest cities each offer their own flavour. 

Béziers brings sweeping views, grand boulevards, the famous locks at Fonseranes, and a lively food scene. 

From their Saturday Brocante to their vibrant new vertical mall, Polygone, with it's amazing shopping, wine and food court at the top, there's truly something for everyone. 

PS Jump on the TGV from Beziers and head to Paris for an event, opera or shopping.

Narbonne charms with its historic market hall, sunlit canal, Roman heritage, and relaxed Mediterranean vibe. 

Visit Les Halls the indoor food market for the best cuts and local produce, a lovely experience. 

Spend a morning in one, an afternoon in the other, and feel like you’ve had two wonderful adventures in one day.