Narbonne / Saint Andre de Roquelongue area

It is also only 30 mins to the lovely Mediterranean beaches. Everywhere you look are lovely châteaux, Abbeys or ancient ruins! Nearby stand the Cistercian Abbey, Abbaye de Fontfroide, Lagrasse, bustling Narbonne (market every Thursday & Sunday) and the well known restaurant Le Vieux Puit at Fonjonceuse, which has just been awarded its 3rd Michelin star. There are some delightful walks close to the house; our favourite being up to the top of the Roquelongue (Long Rock) itself which has an old ruin of an Abbey at the summit (great spot for a picnic) and amazing views over St Andre. The Canal du Midi is only 35 mins to the north where you can hire bikes, boats or just stroll amongst the lines of soldier like plane trees. Please check out our photos below for many other suggestions of local activities. 
 

The Languedoc-Roussillon / Aude region

The area is famous for its lovely medieval towns (the famous walled-city of Carcassonne with its 13th century castle and Beziers and Perpignan), its warm and sunny climate (averages 300 days of sun per year), the Canal du Midi (with its option to hire boats for a lovely day out) and its long, sandy beaches. It has the benefits of its more glamorous neighbour the Cote D'Azur but without the traffic jams, high prices and overcrowding. You come here to unwind, enjoy the outdoor living, explore the cities and relax in the sun.

The house provides a great central base (directly in the middle of the region) for exploring the Languedoc. There are plenty of nearby outdoor activities available including river kayaking, jet skiing, sailing, golf, tennis, cycling, horse-riding and quad-biking.

The best beaches are at Narbonne Plage, Gruissan and Leucate.
Popular tourist attractions / day visits are the African Nature Reserve at Sigeon, the Dinosaur museum at Esperaza, the Water Park at Leucate, the sport/leisure centre in Narbonne and wine tasting in the nearby Châteaux.

The weather stays warm through to December making it a great winter break. It is also only 2 hours drive from skiing in the Pyrenees.

                                                                                                   Local Beaches at Leucate and Gruissan Plage

                                                                           Beziers                                                                                                                                                           Carcassonne 

Sigeon African Nature Reserve 

                                        Cycling Hire 

Kayaking at stunning Roquebrun (Puichéric is good too)

The picturesque Canal du Midi

Cycling on the Canal du Midi. Bikes are for hire from the village of Le Somail

Boat Hire availale on Canal 

 

Go Karting and more at Agde  (Karting number one - see link)

Lagrasse (voted one of prettiest villages in France) 

                                 Beautiful Collioure                                                                                                                              Sete

                                                                                                                                              Abbaye de Fontfroide  (just a few mins from the house)

 

                                                                                                       Montpellier is the liveliest of the nearby cities and capital to the region.

Peyriac de Mer - quaint village on coast near Sigean, with second hand markets (1st Sunday of every month)

Swimming / bathing in local rivers at LaGrasse and Ribaute  (above and below)

 
 

 Narbonne is the nearest city, only 20 minutes away. It has some great mediaeval buildings including the stunning cathedral (above left) as well as some really cosmopolitan cafes and shops. It is also lively throughout the year including Christmas time. It has canals running through it on which you can hire electric boats.

Minerve is is a quaint little village made famous by the stunning gorge which passes through it. 

 

Pezenas (home to the playwright Moliere)  is another mediaeval town with pretty old streets and many boutique shops. 

Activities near Narbonne

Sports:
Tennis in town
Watersports
Waterpark
Horse Riding
Golf within 30 mins drive
Fishing  

   Great for:
 Walking holidays
 Rural / countryside          retreats
 Beach or lakeside    relaxation
 A winter sun break
 City breaks
 Cycling holidays

The Corbieres region is well known for its wine and in the  attached link are some visit suggestions.........
                   

Lac de Cavayere, known as Carcassonne Plage (Beach and lovely Lake)

Fun waterpark at Carcassone Plage 

Videos:

Carcassone:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnV5X5oFBCI&feature=related

Sigean African Reserve:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaU0mep7Hdo

 

Links:

http://www.canoe-france.com/orb/index.html 

Kayak Hire: In Puichéric (nr Lezignan), company called Eaurizon :‎ 04 68 32 04 71.  1.5 or 3 hour journeys. Thoroughly recommend! Exciting start down a water ramp, many rapids (fine for the family) and generally nicely organised.

http://www.mellowvelos.com/page14.html

http://www.kartingnumberone.com

http://www.fontfroide.com/survol_historique.117.htm

http://www.carcassonne.org/carcassonne_EN.nsf/vuetitre/docpgeIntroVisiter

Golf Links :

Cap D'Agde:    http://www.ville-agde.fr/index.php/sports/golf_du_cap_d_agde/accueil

Beziers:             http://www.maisonpasteur.com/cgi-bin/site.cgi?62

                           http://www.golfsaintthomas.com/english/index.html

Carcassone:    http://www.golf-de-carcassonne.com/

 

Pitch et Putt Chemin de Saint-Crescent, 11100 Narbonne, 04 68 27 37 99‎ 

Canal du Midi: Barges (Peniches) on Canal du Midi from Port du Homps

Boat Trips from Port Du Somail, tel 06 85 21 64 39, www.lacapitane.fr

 

Karting

Carcassone, by the airport, Win Kart, Route de  Bram, http://www.winkart.fr/WinKart/Accueil.html