Plaissan is a medium sized village in the heart of the Languedoc vineyards and Villa Rose is set in a peaceful position less than 5 minutes’ walk to the village with shops, bar, restaurant. Restaurants, supermarkets, street markets, shops, banks etc can be found in the lively market town of Clermont l’Herault a 15 minute drive away.
Swimming at Mediterranean beaches, 35 minutes, Lake Salagou (also fishing and water sports), and River Hérault (canoe hire) 15 minutes. Concerts and festivals are held in surrounding villages and towns throughout the year.
Whether you’re looking for sand and the sea, fabulous historic towns, picturesque Medieval villages, French sophistication, the region is so diversified you’ll find it all on your doorstep. You’ll certainly find the sun, with over 300 days of sunshine per year on average.
There are plenty of interesting historical sites to visit locally in this area, France’s best kept secret. An hour's drive takes you to splendid Roman towns such as Avignon, Nîmes, Arles to the east. Even more history unfolds itself with a visit to Carcassonne and the Cathar castles, which are within easy reach. Take a drive up to the Larzac plain to marvel at the amazingly well preserved fortified 15th century villages built by the Templar and Hospitaliers Knights.
For a touch of true French sophistication, Montpellier (40 min.) offers the arts, theatre, shopping, an international airport and train station.
The delightful little port of Meze, has a sandy beach suitable for young children, with swimming and is recommended for its superb seafood restaurants.
There’s a vast choice of clean, sandy Mediterranean beaches 35 kms. For swimming, fishing and non-motorised water sports try popular Lac Salagou, 10 kms or the cool, clean River Herault 15 kms.
Seafood is one of the area’s best kept secrets, with colourful fishing villages along this part of the French Mediterranean coast providing fabulous feasts. Sete is one of the most popular. You can dine extremely well on the fresh local seafood, enjoying the sunshine looking over the sparkling Mediterranean sea.
The stunning Gorges du Tarn, with magnificent scenery and numerous exceptionally picturesque villages can be visited in a day.
If you want to get active, try the recommended golf course at scenic Lamalou les Bains, a 40 minute drive, hiking in unspoilt forests or cycle some of the Tour de France route, which passes somewhere nearby every year.
This region, Languedoc, is France's best kept secret, with sleepy villages of sun-warmed stones and red tiled roofs, surrounded by magnificent scenery. It is the largest wine producing area in France and there are many tasting opportunities to be found in ‘cave co-operatives’ and private domains. Late August/early September is a good time to visit, when the grape harvest is in full swing.
Airports: Beziers (30 mins), Montpellier (45 mins), Nimes, Carcassonne, Perpignan one hour, Toulouse & Marseille two hours. The TGV from Montpellier to Paris takes 3.5 hrs.
Train: TGV Paris/Montpellier 3.5 hours.
