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In Montpellier, cypresses grow as high as ....

From the New York Times: FEB. 26, 2015

By EMILY BRENNAN

In Montpellier, cypresses grow as high as the bell tower of Eglise Ste.-Thérèse. Whelks, caught that morning from the nearby Mediterranean Sea, are sold by the dozen with a side of aioli at the covered market Halles Castellane. The Musée Fabre, a national museum that houses works by the likes of Delacroix and Courbet in a grand 18th-century chateau, manages to feel inviting, not intimidating. Even its visitors, sipping their espresso at the cafe Insensé on the front lawn, look more like leisured houseguests than the sort of wearied tourists you see at the Louvre. Montpellier, France’s eighth-largest city, is blessed with a Mediterranean sun and a beautiful, walkable historic center, a tourist destination in its own right….

.On our way back to Montpellier after a night in the countryside, I began to see its originality. It lay not in the center’s 19th-century architecture, stunning though it may be, particularly the Place de la Comédie and the Place de la comedie flickrornate Italianate opera house there. Nor was it in its vibrant cafe culture, though seemingly every back alley is lined with dimly lighted cafes teeming with young people (among my favorites now are the pub Le Rebuffy, Au P’tit Quart d’Heure, and the Comptoir de L’Arc). What makes Montpellier remarkable is the way nature unexpectedly asserts itself amid all of the stone and concrete.

 It seemed as if our short country visit was making me see, more vividly, the highway divider with a hedge of pink bay bushes. Or the parking lot with two statuesque cypresses at its entrance. Or the single olive tree at the center of a roundabout. More interesting than the city’s plane-tree-lined plazas were people’s gardens, overgrown with lemon trees, palm trees and grapevines. Better still was the Jardin des Plantes, one of the oldest botanical gardens in France and a magnificent trove of Mediterranean flora.  Jardin de plantes montpellier flickr

The night before we returned to New York, I sat on my grandmother-in-law’s balcony admiring the Eglise St.-Roch and, in the distance, the illuminated towers of Cathédrale St.-Pierre, proud that I now knew their names. Looking out over the Spanish-tiled houses, as I finished the last of the pastis, I thought, “I wish we had more time here.”

If You Go Montpellier

At the covered market Halles Castellane (Rue de la Loge; 33-4-67-66-29-92) you can buy everything from fresh fruit to cheese to prepared food. Load your plate, grab a table on the terrace and order coffee, wine or pastis from the roving waiter. The market is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except Sundays, when it closes at 1:30 p.m.

The Musée Fabre (39 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle; open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; admission, 6 euros, about $6.70 at $1.13 to the euro) has an impressive collection of 17th- to 19th-century European paintings, particularly of Montpellier-born artists like Frédéric Bazille and Auguste-Barthélemy Glaize.

Along the bustling, tree-lined Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle are many lovely cafes and restaurants, including an outpost of the bistro Chez Boris (17 Boulevard Sarrail; chezboris.com), which offers a dizzying number of beef cuts.

The Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier (Boulevard Henri IV;  which boasts 2,000 plant species, is open Tuesday through Sunday; free.

Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 08:58 PM in Languedoc - The Region, Recommended Outings | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Languedoc Named Best Wine Travel Destination by the Wine Enthusiast

Languedoc, France
 
Note from Susan: I was pleased to see this article about the region around our house.  Some of our visitors have been surprised to find themselves surrounded by vineyards so here's my chance to clarify! Caussiniojouls is a wine-growing village.
 
From The Wine Enthusiast:

A part of Languedoc-Roussillon, the world’s largest wine-producing region, Languedoc lies in the sunny south of France, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Mountains. It stretches west from the Roman city of Nîmes to the borders of the Aude départment. A vast expanse of multiple landscapes, grapes and weather patterns, this up-and-coming area stands out for its exciting, excellent value wines and unspoiled, vine-covered vistas. With its sandy, golden coastline and cool, green climes inland, visitors have the best of both worlds. —Louise Hurren

Where to Dine 

Some of the most authentic restaurants here are hidden in the heart of wine country. Le Faitout (Berlou), l’Auberge du Presbytère (Vailhan) and Ô. Bontemps (Magalas) offer intimate dining paired with local wines, while the charming Relais Chantovent offers traditional regional cuisine in the must-see medieval village of Minerve. For something more unusual, dine al fresco in Domaine Gayda’s luxury barbecue straw huts (a short drive from Carcassonne). L’Auberge du Vieux Puits (Fontjoncouse) is a ritzy address worthy of a splurge. 

Where to Stay 

Lodging options abound. The upmarket Château les Carrasses in Capestang is a 19th-century wine estate transformed into luxury, self-catering vacation homes. Winemaker Gérard Bertrand’s L’Hospitalet is a leading wine tourism destination, boasting hotel rooms, a restaurant, tasting room and craft boutiques. In the hamlet of Lauret, Auberge du Cèdre offers character, shady gardens, authentic cuisine and a wine list featuring some of the Pic Saint Loup appellation’s best producers. 

Other Activities 

This is a region for fans of the great outdoors. Sea kayaking, wind surfing and river canoeing are just some options. Rocky Upper Languedoc has miles of walking and cycling trails. Ancient Roman sites like the Pont du Gard and the amphitheatre of Nîmes can be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace. 

 

Budget Tip 

Book a self-catering holiday rental (like susan and gerry's house!) and live like the locals: buy produce at a local market (think olives, salted anchovies, goat cheese, some charcuterie and a handful of nectarines), add a bottle from a nearby domaine and enjoy. 

When to Go 

Spring for budding vines, fall for harvest and gentle sunshine. Avoid the crowds and soaring summer heat. 

Local in the Know

Note from Susan:  The Faugeres wine festival is held the second weekend in July--do not miss.  All the winemakers have booths along the winding medieval streets offering tastings.  Moules et frites lunch too.

Vianney Fabre, a second-generation winemaker at Château d’Anglès, says, “The annual gourmet wine walks held in early summer are the perfect way to discover some of Languedoc’s top AOPs and stunning landscapes. The Sentiers Gourmands event is held on the third weekend in May. It’s a gentle walk interspersed with delicious food and AOP La Clape wine pairings, which you can enjoy while admiring the breathtaking views of the coastline and limestone cliffs.” 

Where to Taste

Few wineries have public tasting rooms with full-time staff, but calling ahead will open many doors—tastings are almost always free. In Lattes, the Mas de Saporta showcases over 400 Languedoc wines and the knowledgeable staff will happily answer questions and make recommendations. In Saint-Chinian, the Maison des Vins’s dispensing machines allow visitors to try 32 wines (red, white and rosé) from across the appellation for a charge. The shop stocks more than 300 wines. Florensac co-op’s Vinipolis visitor center offers an informative, multilingual experience (buy a bottle and enjoy it in the adjoining Bistrot d’Alex), while Faugères producerL’Abbaye Sylva Plana’s tasting room and restaurant are open year-round. In Montagnac, Côté Mas has a tasting room and restaurant showcasing wines from seven Domaines Paul Mas estates. Down near Fitou, the Mont Tauch co-op has an excellent visitor center, interactive displays and free tours. 

Prominent Wines

Languedoc’s challenge is its diversity: red, white, rosé, still and sparkling, dry and fortified wines are all made here. Its AOPs—particularly Minervois, Corbières and Coteaux du Languedoc—are becoming well known. Terrasses du Larzac, Saint- Chinian and La Clape are now attracting attention. Varietal wines like Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Viognier and Chardonnay are commonly found under the Pays d’Oc label. Zippy Picpoul de Pinet (perfect with seafood), sparkling Blanquette de Limoux and aromatic Rolle-Roussanne-Marsanne blends are whites to watch. Fans of hearty reds should try the rich, spicy wines of Pic Saint Loup, Corbières and Fitou. 

Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 10:25 AM in Languedoc - The Region, Wineries in the region | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Languedoc wines as the "California of France"

So pleased to see this excellent write up of the wines of Languedoc (many produced very near Caussi) in the New York Times, Nov 28, 2012. Great list of recommended local wines. Look for them at the Cellerie de la Vigneronne wineshop in Faugeres

The Untamed Region

By Eric Asimov

ONCE, back in the 1990s, my very young son, surveying the density of scaffolding and construction sites in our Manhattan neighborhood, said, “Dad, when are they going to finish building New York?” I think of his question whenever I open a bottle of wine from the Languedoc, a region that seems as if it, too, is permanently in transition.       

Find an article on the Languedoc published anytime in the last 25 years and the odds are, the theme will be the same: the makeover from ocean of mediocrity to region of vast, realized potential. Nonetheless, the progress is real. Yet the evolution of the Languedoc is not merely linear. That would be too simple, too easy, in a region that can be as challenging as it is rewarding.       

A few weeks ago, the wine panel surveyed recent vintages of red wines from the Languedoc. We tasted 20 bottles, restricting ourselves to the Languedoc rather than including the Roussillon, the neighboring region that so often forms the tail end of the hyphenated pairing Languedoc-Roussillon. For the tasting, Florence Fabricant and I were joined by Michael Madrigale, the head sommelier at Bar Boulud and Boulud Sud, and Thomas Pastuszak, the wine director at the NoMad.       

It was clear from our tasting why the Languedoc is sometimes called the California of France. The grip of history, so powerful through most of France in the rules that govern its appellation system, is less evident in the Languedoc. If anything, the region’s many years as a bulk-wine supplier for the rest of the country offer clear justification for the sort of experimentation that sometimes muddies the clarity of its identity.        Castle plus vines

Without the burden of past greatness, and lacking the clear delineation of rigorous appellations, many producers feel freer in the Languedoc to work with untraditional grapes in the region. Carignan, cinsault, grenache, syrah and mourvèdre still predominate, though the proportion of syrah has risen as carignan has declined. But cabernet, merlot and other international grapes are also part of the mix, especially in those wines labeled vins de pays.       

A result, in our tasting, at least, were wines of great contrasts. From glass to glass, the styles veered wildly. Some evoked what I always imagine to be the wildness of the Mediterranean countryside: craggy, rocky hillsides redolent of lavender and wild thyme, the famous garrigue. Others are powerful modern wines, dominated by sweet fruit and oak. Some wines are stern, tannic, almost austere. Others are dense yet supple. And another style has emerged, incorporating the Beaujolais winemaking method of carbon maceration that can make spicy, easily accessible wines.       

“The styles make the region interesting,” Michael said. “The common thread is the grapes are really good — this is great terroir.”       

Thomas was impressed by the general quality of the winemaking, regardless of the style. “It’s great to see such a maligned region produce so many good wines,” he said.       

I agreed with Michael and Thomas, yet for me, and for all of us, by far the most interesting wines were also the most distinct, those that could come from nowhere else but Mediterranean France. The smooth, fruity, oaky wines can no doubt compete on the global stage. Yet in the end, what will really set them apart from similar wines, whether from the United States, South America, Tuscany or Australia? Price, perhaps?       

The wines most full of distinctive character, like our favorites, still rely primarily on the traditional grapes, even the oft-despised carignan, which top Languedoc producers have proved can achieve great results if its carefully farmed and the yields are kept relatively low. Our No. 1 bottle, the 2009 Faugères Jadis from Léon Barral (SC: winerie in Lentheric, a hamlet near Caussi), was 50 percent carignan, along with 30 percent syrah and 20 percent grenache. It was juicy, earthy and complex, but what really set it apart from the other wines was a tension and balance that gave the wine great energy.       

At $39, the Barral was one of the more expensive wines in the tasting. By contrast, our No. 2 bottle, the 2010 Tour de Pierres from Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup, was our best value at $15. With 50 percent syrah, 40 percent grenache and 10 percent mourvèdre, it had no carignan at all. Yet it screamed of herbal Languedoc character, and was altogether delightful.       

By far the most expensive wine at $80 was the 2007 Grange des Pères Vin de Pays de l’Hérault. It is one of the few cult wines of the region, incorporating 20 percent cabernet sauvignon along with syrah and mourvèdre. I can tell you from experience that it is a lovely wine, yet in our blind tasting it seemed simpler than I remembered it. Bottle variation? A period of dormancy? I don’t know, but it’s worth pointing out that our $80 was an older vintage. The current 2009 vintage is selling for more than $100.       

The only wine over which the panel showed significant differences was the 2011 Domaine Rimbert from St.-Chinian. For me, this was an archetypal Languedoc wine, dry and lip-smacking with savory herbal and purple fruit flavors. Others were less entranced. Try it for yourself and see what you think.       

Other wines especially worth noting were the intense yet well-balanced 2009 Grand Pas from Le Pas de l’Escalette; the tannic, herbal 2010 Clos Fantine; and the dense yet juicy 2008 Mas Champart Causse du Bousquet from St.-Chinian.       

The evolution of the Languedoc continues. The unwieldy, nebulous regional appellations remain confusing, an overlapping bunch of zones and sub-zones that do little to zero in on characteristics of terroir or geography. Changes are in the works, though it’s not clear exactly when they will become official. Even so, it’s true that appellations in most regions fall short of the ideal.       

Meanwhile, land in the Languedoc remains relatively inexpensive, new winemakers arrive to try their hand at expressing its terroir, and the experimentation goes on. It may be some time before the scaffolding comes down for good.       

Tasting Report       

Léon Barral Faugères Jadis 2009,
Juicy, earthy and tense with complex aromas of flowers and purple fruit, and a touch of oak.

BEST VALUE
Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup,
Languedoc Tour de Pierres 2010
Minty, herbal, well-balanced and firm; full of classic regional character.

Le Pas de l’Escalette Coteaux,
du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac Le Grand Pas 2009
Rich and beautifully balanced with savory, almost savage flavors that linger.

Mas Champart St.-Chinian,
Causse du Bousquet 2008
Dense, juicy and smooth, with almost grapey fruit flavors.

Grange des Pères,
Vin de Pays de l’Hérault 2007
Dense, ripe and powerfully fruity yet tinged with brambly, cedar flavors.

Domaine Rimbert St.-Chinian,
Les Travers de Marceau 2011
Juicy, grapey and herbal; classic Languedoc flavors.

Château de Lancyre Languedoc,
Pic Saint Loup Coste d’Aleyrac 2009
Spicy and balanced with flavors of sweet, smoky fruit and oak.

Hecht & Bannier Minervois 2009,
Dense, firm and reticent with dusty, earthy flavors.        

Mas des Brousses,
Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac 2010
Powerful and tannic with dense flavors of dark fruit.    

Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 11:28 PM in Languedoc - The Region, Wineries in the region | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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Languedoc Beach Lovers Visit Caussi - September 2011

Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your Caussi house during our trip to Languedoc in Sept 2011. The house had everything we needed and we really enjoyed the view from the roof-top Terrace; we spent most of our afternoons up there after returning from our daily excursions!

As far as tips for future visitors, I will summarize our adventures categorically and hopefully there will be some nuggets there!

Beaches/Plages (we are beach lovers so that was foremost on our list of places to visit)

L'Espiguette - beautiful beach outside of Montpellier near Le Grau du Roi - one of our favorites - 1.5 hrs from Caussi - very remote - bring chairs umbrellas & cooler as there are no services - 5.5 euros to enter & park - long drive but well worth it!

Leucate - great beach between Narbonne & Perpignan - 1 hour from Caussi - bring chairs umbrellas - there are restaurants nearby for lunch - parking is plentiful and inexpensive (there was no charge for parking this Sept - last July there were meters and for a few euros you could park all day) - NOTE: nearby is the African Preserve near Sigean - opens at 9AM - great for a couple of hours before the beach - a little pricey @ 27 euros per person but lots of animals - rated as one of the best preserves in the world - 1 hour in car driving thru and up to 3 hours on foot if you so desire (We drove first and then walked for only 45 mins - time for Serignan Plagethe beach!!)

Portiranges - the closest beach at 30 mins from Caussi and the one we spent the most time at (3 visits) - You can bring your chairs etc. but you can also rent chairs + umbrella from the Maui Plage station (rents pedaloes, boards & other water sports) at west end of beach - ample free parking - very busy in season - it was nice and empty in Sept.

Argeles (North) - beach outside of Perpignan - 1.75 hrs from Caussi - go to north end of beach as the middle & south are a bit tacky with dozens of beach shops & numerous restaurants - lots of free parking at north end - only a few minutes from here to Colliure (very crowded around lunchtime - go early if you want to park and eat) & Banyul sur Mer (where we had lunch at a nice small sidewalk cafe)

Touring (we picked the cloudy days to tour - there weren't too many!!)

Avignon - went there to visit a few shops Diane had in mind - interesting city - lots of traffic (cars & people). Took the opportunity while there to visit Tavel (15 km away) and pick up some great Rose Wine to bring back to Caussi (we consider Tavel roses to be among the tastiest in all of France - at least the France we've experienced so far - Provence & Languedoc) to sip on the terrace in late afternoon.

Roquebrun - we visited twice; once via D908/D14 route and another times via opposite direction of backroads from Caussi - loved the river and had a great lunch at the Auberge St. Hubert (the Cafe Nice was too crowded for our taste)

Great scenic drive - From Olargues D14 up the mountain to D53 towards Cambron (?) and then back towards Belarieux - beautiful dark pine forests, herds of horses and great mountain views. 2-2.5 hours leisurely drive.

Restaurants ( I don't think we spent over 75 euros for any meal [2 persons] - including tip & wine - most were around 35-50 euros)

Karting Course Restaurant (in Caussi) - has a great lunch there on our first day - meant to get back for dinner but did not make it

La Forge in Bedarieux - beautiful place - good food - ate outside - next time will eat inside for the interior views

La Cave Gourmande in Montagnac (between Pezenas & Meze) - we found this place last July and was glad to see that it is still there and still as good - Italian fare - great lasagne - Open Sun & Mon so thats a plus (most restaurants closed those days) - 45 minute ride from Caussi but worth it (D13 most of the way from faugeres to Pezenas) - center of town at 2nd traffic light - left-side of road going to Meze

Hana Sushi in Pezenas - good sushi but a limited selection - great energetic staff

O Bontemps in Magalas - made a reservation - on arrival found closed until mid-Sept - confused as to why they took rez?!?!? - anyway we found a little Mom & Pop just down the hill from O Bontemps and had a delightful meal & lots of fun with owners - went back for a second meal on our last night - can't remember name but have pictures of resaturant with name - great pizzas among other things!

La Bella Vista in Faugeres - closed the first weekend we were there - finally ate there on a Sunday - good simple food & wine - nice people

Meze - can't remember name but ate at same place twice last year - busiest place in the harbor - good crowd = good food - had oysters, mussels, shrimp etc. etc. - it was nice to be back there - approx 1 hr from Caussi

Le Baroulet in Roujan - beautiful setting in hotel courtyard - food was OK but not great - atmosphere made up for it!

Chez Caussi - we grilled a nice steak on the Weber grill one evening when we did not feel like going out!!! Priceless

All in all it was a great trip. We had beautiful weather. The village of Caussi was charming. It was so quiet, that, if not for the occassional bird chirping or insect buzzing, you might think you'd gone deaf! Talk about great sleeping! I was able to use the cable for the DSL line to call home via Skype so that was very helpful. Made great use of your juicer - fresh OJ every morning! Thanks so much for your hospitality.

By the way, you are now the owner of 2 new beach chairs, a new beach umbrella & a new cooler which we found convenient to buy while we were there - hope new visitors use them well!

Tim and Diane

Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 12:38 PM in Caussi visitors speak, Languedoc - The Region, Restaurant Suggestions, Sports - Kayak, Bike etc. | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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The Canal du Midi - Pride of Beziers

One of the region’s two remarkable UNESCO ‘World Heritage Sites’ the Canal du Midi drifts lazily The-canal-du-midi pretty one through Languedoc on its spectacular route from the city of Toulouse to the bustling coastal port of Sete. Uniquely beautiful, with tow-paths famously lined and shaded by 300-year-old plane trees it meanders gently between the pretty, terracotta-topped, canal-side villages.

Inspirational in both concept and construction, the 240 kilometre-long canal connects with the River Garonne to link the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean: thereby avoiding the lengthy and one-time perilous, pirate-plagued sea journey around the hostile Spanish coastline.

Although the advantages of such a route had been contemplated for at least 150 years before its inception (even Leonardo Da Vinci had pondered the possibilities), it was in the mid-seventeenth century that the multitude of technical challenges and obstacles were finally overcome. In 1666 Pierre-Paul Riquet of Beziers persuaded King Louis XIV to commission the project: and so, work commenced. The costs were projected at 3,360 livres.

The construction of the canal was unquestionably an epic and ingenious achievement, incorporating Canal-du-midi-agde-tow-path remarkable feats of civil engineering - including 103 locks - and utilising over 12000 labourers. The canal officially opened in 1681: sadly the event was preceded by the unfortunate demise of Monsieur Riquet, who died in 1680. The entrepreneur was massively in debt to the tune of 2m livres, most of which he had invested in the completion of his wondrous waterway. The final cost now totalled some 15m livres! His family inherited his interests in the project: they must have been delighted - investments were never recovered and debts remained for a further 100 years before they were finally paid off. Canal-du-midi-map


Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 12:03 PM in Languedoc - The Region, Recommended Outings | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

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Narbonne - beautiful market, canals, old city

Found this wonderful description of Narbonne:  France on Your Own - Narbonne  It's a  city of great charm, based around the canals, a real Les Halles market, wonderful walking.

Narbonne street scene - La Cite

Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 03:44 PM in Languedoc - The Region, Recommended Outings | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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Don't miss Pezenas

Pezenas was the seat of local Government during the 16th-17th Centuries, and is today one of the prettiest towns to visit near Caussi. The medieval architecture is so distinctive that many French films are set in Pezenas. We go to the Saturday market, the antique shops (much of the furniture in our house came from forays to the antiquaires of Pezenas), the restaurants, and to have ice cream in the cafes on the square.  The best way to get to Pezenas from Caussi is from Faugeres via the beautiful scenic back road that takes you past some must-visit vineyards and old castles and fortifications.

Pezenas1 Nestled between the Mediterranean sea and the Haut Languedoc (the hills on which Caussinioujouls is perched), Pezenas is a town rich with the sort of ambience that Languedoc is famous for. its wines and specialty foods are numerous, such as "Les Petits Pates" (a sort of warm mince pie) and "Berlingots" (a unique type of boiled sweet that everyone should try).

Not to mention the almost inexhaustible range of olives, honey and of course wines. Reds, Roses and whites from the slopes of the the new wineries of the region can be found at wine shops throughout the town.

The old town is rich with Artisans all still practicing their individual crafts, with skills such as leatherwork, jewelery making, glass blowing, metal work, painting and sculpture that have been passed down from generation to generation. They set up shop in small workshops during the summer months, offering visitors the chance to take home a truly unique gift or memento of the area. During the winter months all the 'E' Shops in the old town close so the artisans can busy themselves painting, sculpting and building ready for the summer months ahead.

The arts and crafts theme continues away from the old town, with family runs shops such as "2en1" in Rue Conti. Specialising in high quality material for patchwork (a favoured local pastime) along with candles, candle holders and other table decorations and gifts, "2en1" is a friendly place to visit and an ideal stop in the search for a little something to remind you of your visit to Pezenas.

Pezenas is also well known for it's antique shops, with over thirty shops lining PezenasMarket the main route through the town.

Pezenas is a town that has always been popular with actors, singers and all manner of performing artists. It was this love of the arts that attracted the famous French playwright, Moliere to Pezenas back in the mid 1600's. Moliere felt a real bond with the town and regularly performed in the "Hotel d'Alfonce" (17th century) in Rue Conti, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in Pezenas and one of the most sought after by history loving visitors. The Hotel is open to visitors from June to September.

As well as arts and crafts and antiques, don't miss the weekly market, in the centre of town on Saturday mornings. A wonderful selection of locally produced food and wine, as well as a huge selection of flowers and clothing.

 

Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 08:46 PM in Languedoc - The Region, Recommended Outings | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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What's the weather like in Caussi?

Languedoc is the region of France with the most sun!  It's warm and dry and beautiful from April through November with glorious blue skies.  Montpellier gets over 300 days of sun per year! July and August can be quite hot, although it's always dry and cool in the shade.

Languedoc-weather1 Here's a weather chart so you can judge for yourself how much sun there is and how little rain.

For more details on the average high and low temperatures by month see:

http://www.languedoc-france.info/1101_temperatures.htm

Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 04:53 PM in Languedoc - The Region | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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About Languedoc

Stonehouses_in_the_hills_1 The Languedoc region and the Herault within it are unique in France for their undiscovered and unpretentious beauty.  Here are two quotes that capture our sentiments exactly~

From the Cadogan Guide to France: “For devotees of rural France, the seemingly innocuous Herault may be the ultimate find, the perfect alternative to overcrowded and overpraised Provence—just as beautiful, more real and relaxed, full of things to see—and considerably less expensive.  There are just enough tourists for there to be plenty of country inns, although in most villages foreigners are still a novelty.  And there’s a enough wine to make any one happy in this the most prolific wine making region of France. “

From Conde Nast Traveller:
"If you crave glitz and glamour, then the Languedoc is not your kind of destination.  But if you can appreciate a vast expanse of southern France with a long and thrilling history, amazing architecture, wine that has gone from ordinaire to extraordinaire in the last decade, and great local food, then this is the place for you."

Posted by Susan Caughman & Gerry Goodrich at 10:37 PM in Languedoc - The Region | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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