Based at the charming Château de Lignan, about 10 minutes from Béziers, our tour explores this beautiful region of southern France, where modern architecture sits alongside medieval citadels, canals, picturesque villages and fertile valleys producing wonderful wines. Whilst here there will be an opportunity to sample some of the local wines and take a boat trip on the Canal du Midi,the oldest working canal in the world, famed for its 9 locks.
Montpellier has a grand 18th Century square, dominated by the Château d’Eau. Narbonne is bisected by the famous Canal du Midi and there are any places of interest in the medieval quarter north of the city.
Hailed as one of the engineering wonders of the 21st Century, the 1.5 mile Millau Viaduct is described by its creator, Lord Foster, as a ‘sculpture in the sky.’ Standing 1,125 feet tall, it is the highest road bridge in the world.
Remotely situated in the Herault Valley, the stunningly picturesque 9th Century village of St-Guilhem-le Désert grew up around the abbey founded by William of Aquitaine. It’s strikingly simple Romanesque Abbey church is famed for its possession of a fragment of the ‘True Cross’.
Pézenas, a charming, compact town is easily appreciated in a gentle stroll taking in most of its sights, such as the Hotel des Barons de Lacoste, Maison des Pauvres and Porte Faugères.
The ancient, perfectly restored, 5th Century medieval citadel of Carcassonne is completely traffic free and surrounded by fields of vines. It is magnificently set on the crown of a steep bank and its skyline of fairytale turrets and towers positively invites visitors to explore this atmospheric and historic gem.