Le Plo de Cathalo - Holiday Home in the South of France

The Mediteriterranean
Argeles-sur-Mer
Quiet location along the canal du midi – ‘le Chat qui peche’ offers light refreshments and meals.
Balaruc-le-Bains
A pretty seaside town on the edge of the Etang de Thau (Lake) with small restaraunts along the shore, for a very special meal the St Claire restaraunt is a little expensive but excellent quality.
Cap d'Agde
Busy, lively Mediterranean resort, huge marina and promenade with plenty of restaurants, shops and bars. The beach at Agde is for naturists but Cap d'Agde still has a beach for the non-naturist. (Image shown is scanned and not of best quality).
La Frangui
At the mouth of the river, sandy beach , promenade and spectacular sunsets.
Leucate
Larger resort split into two with marina at one end and long sandy beach at the other.
Meze
Scenic mediterranean fishing village with picturesque marina, small beach on the edge of the Etang de Thau (Lake) fed by the waters of the Mediterranean sea supplying the vast oyster beds that are on full view. With a wealth of seafood restaurants specialising in shellfish. A popular destination for most of our guests.
St Pierre La Mer
A pituresque town with it's long beach and plenty of cafes and eateries, and on some days an extensive market for all you need including fresh fish and seafood.
Valras plage
Huge expanse of sandy beach about 30 minutes drive from the house. There is the opportunity to hire sun loungers and parasols. Usual array of seaside restaurants and kiddies fun fair. Near by is Narbonne Plage with similar facilities.

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Local towns and villages
Distance and travel time information supplied by Google Earth.
Saint Chinian (11.3km – 10mins)
The town really comes to life on a Sunday with its main market in the morning, there is a smaller market on Thursday am. There is a Tourist Information Office here and all facilities of a small town – banks, bakery, supermarkets, restaurants etc. The St Chinian Co-operative supplies the local red wine and Muscat from St Jean de Minervois.
St Pons-de-Thomier (11.7km – 11mins)
Similar size and facilities to St Chinian, market day is on Wednesday. There is an old railway path at the entrance to the town – follow signs for the Piste Verte which is ideal for a stroll or –hire a bike from the Marche U garage and enjoy the flat terrain to Olargues or the Grottes de Deveze.
Capestang (27.9km – 28mins)
The nearest point to the Canal du Midi, ideal for a gentle stroll in the shade of the trees watching the activities on the water. The restaurant near the bridge is worth a visit, although you can wander into Capestang as there are several restaurants and bars around the square, where the locals play petanque.
Roquebrun (28.2km – 26mins)
Roquebrun is a picturesque village set on the banks of the Orb as it winds down through the hills to the east of Cathalo. It is reached by taking the Cessanon-sur Orb road from St Chinian and turning north on the D14 shortly before Cessanon. Roquebrun makes an excellent lunchtime destination, with at least two easily discovered restaurants that offer wide choice and value .For the more energetic kayaks can be hired and river bathing is available. The onward drive north traces the Orb through some of the finest scenery in the area.
Le Somail (36.3km – 38mins)
A well frequented spot by the Canal Du Midi with restaurants at the waters edge and electric boats for hire.
Beziers (39.5km – 43mins)
Beziers: A busy town approximately 30 minutes away from the house offering a large variety of shops in the town centre and extensive out of town hypermarkets.. Sites include the Bull Ring and the famous stair way of locks on the Canal du Midi as featured on Rick Steins "French Odyssey".
Lamalou-les-Bains (44.7km – 46mins)
Lamalou-les-Bains A stylish spa town offering a casino, wide choice of restaurants and the therapeutic benefits of thermal waters.
Carcasonne (76.3km – 1hr 17mins)
A bustling town with plenty of shops and restaurants to take in, then there is the historical medieval quarter of the walled city giving the taste of the past, again with restaurants and shops in the square and side alleys.
Roquefort (111km – 1hrs 51mins)
Home to the famous unique cheese. Enjoy a tour around one of the producers, learn the age old secrets of their production methods and savour the flavour.
St Rome-de-Tarn (114 - 1hr 52mins)
Charming village nestled within the dramatic scenery of the gorges of the River Tarn . A potential place to stay over night en route down to the house in the luxurious Le Raspes hotel with fine wines and foods on the terrace.
Millau Bridge (159 – 2hrs)
The spectacular views around the town are well worth a visit either as a day out or as a stop off en route down to the house. The famous cheese manufacturing town of Roquefort is not very far away, along with St. Rome-de-Tarn.
Suggested route
Why not make it a day trip visiting Roquefort, St Rome-de-Tarn and the famousMillau bridge.
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Vineyards
Faugeres
En route to Pezenas. Smaller area of production with a distinctive flavoured red wine.
Fitou
On the road to Carcasonne, small village offering tastings of the full red wine . Some of the vineyards also produce an aperitif which you are also welcome to try.
Limoux
Just beyond Carcasonne. Famed for its sparkling white wine – some at only 6% proof makes it an ideal treat for sipping beside the pool in the afternoon!
Noilly Prat
At Marseillan beside the Lac de Thau. Offical informative guides are available for this well renowned aperitif.
Minervois
Being a major wine producing region of France, with it's bountifull selection of mainly red wines to suit all pallets. Most vineyards are open to visit where one can more often than not taste the wines from different years production either directly from the rack and purchase your favourite whilst you are there. Approximately 25 minutes drive through the scenic Haute Languedoc to Bize Minervois, charming village alongside the river where a swimming area has been created. You will see vineyards tempting you with the smooth and light minervois. The Peryvale vineyard just on the left before the turning to Bize also offers Chardonnay which is a refreshing alternative to the sweeter Muscadet.
St Chinian and surrounding independent vineyards
Too many to mention, but with most you can drive up and sample their wines from various growths and purchase by the bottle or sometimes in 5 and 10 litre boxes, even cheaper option is to buy it "en-vrac" where it is pumped into barrels for you to take back to the house and enjoy at your leisure. Site designed and managed by iwantawebsite.co.uk

The countryside
National park
Literally on your doorstep! There are plenty of tracks taking you up into the hills around the house. If you are in search of peace and quiet this is the place to go. Several larger birds of prey have been sighted in the area and as the light pollution is minimal the region is recommended for astronomers.
Lake Raviege
Through the wooded hills past St Pons de Thomieres the Lac offers a wide variety of water sports including kayak hire, pedalos, small motorised boats, windsurfing etc. There is a bar and restaurant at the Lac. There is also a man made beach and the lake offers a surprisingly warm alternative to the Mediterranean.
Cessenon-sur-Orb
A twenty minute drive to this impressive river, with outdoor bar-b-que’s provided by the picnic areas. Watch the canoeing as you walk along the river bank or take a dip if you are brave enough in the shallower calmer waters to be found in places near the bank. Perhaps just sun bathe alongside the rolling waters.
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Activities

The choice is yours!

Bicycles can be hired from the cycle shop in St Chinian , either by the half day , day or week.

Other cycle hire is available at the Marche U garage in St Pons de Thomieres – from here you can take advantage of the mainly flat, traffic free cycle path which follows the route of the old railway line from the Grottes along to Olargues and beyond.

Lac de Reviege has pedaloes, lake swimming, kayaks and canoes and other ‘pleasure craft’ for hire.

The Tourist Information Office has details of walks either as group activities or for trails for you to enjoy at your leisure.

Horse riding is available at several local stables – with the Haute Languedoc park on the doorstep the opportunities are endless.

The area is well renowned for its lack of light pollution so star gazing is definitely an option. Whilst during the day sometimes birds of prey can be seen circling overhead.

The nearest location for kayaking on the river is at Roquebrun – this is very popular and well organised.

Golf is available at a 9 hole course in Lamalou-les-Bains and is open to visitors.

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