Mediterranean France, renovated house near sea and mountains - Home Rental Listing Details

First floor has large double bedroom (plus extra single bed when required) with en-suite bathroom containing bath / shower, toilet, bidet and washbasin.

Ground floor has a double bedroom and ensuite shower room with toilet and washbasin. There is a small snug sitting room with fireplace and another TV/DVD. Books and games too.

To allow for a variety of family needs we have provided a cot and folding bed as well a single bed, 2 doubles and double bed settee. This should provide enough flexibility to accommodate a wide range of family needs, young and older. If you need to check on these please ask.

Locally

All day to day shopping needs are found in Marseillan through small local shops or supermarkets. Numerous bars, pizzerias, take aways and a range of restaurants are within walking distance if you choose to eat out.

The Noilly Prat distillery is in Marseillan, by the harbour and worth a visit. There are water sports and sailing lessons available plus rides round the oyster beds.

Every Tuesday morning there is a market in the square, two minutes from the house, where you can buy local fresh produce, home ware, clothes, flowers and even be entertained by musicians. On Fridays in the summer there is a craft market well into the evening. On Saturday and Sunday by the sea front you can browse the Puces Brocantes (flea market) for a variety of goods, old and new. 10 minutes away in Agde is an even larger indoor and outdoor market on Thursday morning with similar goods- fresh produce, clothes, accessories, home goods, flowers, plants etc. Good to browse here and visit the shops and have something to eat and drink.

Further afield

Montpellier is the capital city of the region and towns such as Pezenas, Beziers, Agde, Narbonne and Sete are just a few of the places to visit. Montpellier is a vibrant University town, with historic interests but also many shops to explore. Pezenas has some excellent architecture, historical interests, art and craft shops which open during the summer months and the usual shops and restaurants. At the other end of the long stretch of beach is Sete known as the Venice of Languedoc because of the many canals. It is the largest active fishing port in the Mediterranean and fish restaurants abound. The main canal has shops, restaurants and bars along either side, fishing boats tie up, nets are mended and tourist boats ply up and down showing the sights. On Bastille Day (July 14th) and during August this central canal is crowded with spectators watching the water jousting. Opposing teams try to knock each other into the water. The combatant stands at the back of a gondola type boat high on a platform with a long pole in his hand. The rest of the team, on the gondola, row towards the opponent. The idea is to knock your opponent off the platform using the pole. The winner stays on the platform - dry, the loser is tipped into the water. There are spectacular views from the top of Mont St Clair (above Sete) across the sea and lake.

The lake, sea and beach are to the south. North of Marseillan you are quickly into beautiful mountainous areas, great for walking, exploring and canoeing. Several UNESCO World Heritage Sites are near: the Amphitheatre at Nimes, the Pont du Gard, a Roman Aqueduct and St-Guilhelm-le-Desert, a lovely village in the cleft of the mountain near the Herault Gorge.

To the west is Carcassonne, used in the film 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves'. It is an old castle, which has been renovated with fairy tale turrets. It is huge, people still live within the castle and there are interesting shops for browsing, restaurants, cafes etc. All this area is full of Cathar history. The drive to Carcassonne is good too with other places to visit en route. Minerve a beautiful, historic village, with local wine tasting,and Narbonne the old capital in Roman times. Safari Park near Narbonne, beaches and walks here too.

To the East you can visit Nimes (amphitheatre, Roman temple, modern Art museum, shops, restaurants etc,) Montpellier(capital)the Pont du Gard (magnificent Roman aquaduct), the castle of Aigues Mort and see the pink flamingos, black bulls and white horses all typical of the area.

The Canal du Midi passes from Toulouse to the Bassin de Thau and is a lovely shady place to walk, fish, cycle or sail. You take a boat from Grau d'Agde, up the River Herault, along the Canal du Midi and across the lake in Marseillan (Etang de Thau) to see the oyster beds (4 1/2 hrs)

There are many local and well-known vineyards to visit. Regional wines are Corbiere, Minervois, Fitou, Cotes du Roussillon while a local dry white is Picpoul de Pinet with many Roses to try. There are many winemakers locally and in the town. Try some of the lesser-known wines which are good quality also.

There are three golf courses in this area, at Montpellier, Beziers and Cap D'agde.

For younger children: a Dinosaur Park and Aqualand as well as the lovely beach. Children and adults are catered for at the Jungle Adventure near Agde - different routes for different abilities. Climb trees, swing across, walk tightropes - all with the security of being tied on with double ropes. Take a challenge!

Internet access is through the local Internet Cafe, 5 mins from the house.

Marseillan has a very good tourist information centre and newly developed and extensive website to visit.

Like reading? One of the current best sellers, the novel Labyrinth by Kate Mosse (set in Carcassonne, is about the persecution of the Cathars and search for the Holy Grail, but matched with murders and a search for the Grail in present times. Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code has a section which was set in parts of the region too.

Rick Stein's French Odyssey visits places along the Canal du Midi but the end of the series focuses on Agde, Bezier, Marseillan itself and Sete, before going to Marseille. Repeats are on the Food and Living channel. The programme gives a very good impression of the region with just some of the food specialities (sea food, duck breast, cassoulet) as well as interests along the way.

If you need to know more we will send further help or information with the confirmation of your booking. We aim to make your stay as enjoyable as possible and enjoy finding out as much as we can to meet your needs, if we don't already know it. There is a lot of information provided in the house too.

For a fee we can provide extra cleaning and change of linen if it is required during your stay.

Location Details

Access is easy from Montpellier (nearest), Nimes, Carcassonne, Toulouse and Perpignan airports. We have even driven from Girona (north of Barcelona) round the coast when prices were incredibly cheap. This drive is about 2-3 hrs and very attractive. Cheap flights are available by Ryanair from Liverpool, East Midlands, Ireland, Stansted and Luton. (In May 2008 Ryanair are introducing new flights which will be available from Bristol to Beziers, which is the nearest airport and only 20 mins away.) Other airlines fly to these airports too. When you land car hire is easy through Hertz (reduced rates for Ryanair customers) Avis and Europcar. You can book on arrival although it is quicker and cheaper if you have pre-booked.

If you are travelling by train from the airport to Marseillan it is as well to remember that train travel is not as frequent on Sundays and connections can be difficult at times. If visiting out of season it is a good idea to check train times first for Sunday travel.

If you prefer driving the Languedocienne motorway (A9) passes along the whole south coast and links Marseillan easily with central and northern France (and also to the west with Northern Spain and east to Italy). Driving from Calais/ Dunkerque can take about 10 - 11 hrs and cost approximately £45 in tolls if you use motorways.

Whenever you arrive there will be someone to meet and greet you.

The area is comparatively unspoilt and although growing in popularity it is still possible to be away from the crowds even in summer if that is what you want. Going north south east and west will provide you with a huge range of entertainment, activities or relaxation.

The climate here is the best in France having 300+ days of sunshine. Even in February there is often sunshine with bright blue skies.