Oppidum L’Enserune
Interesting pre-Roman hilltop settlement – see the remains of houses, shops and workshops, plus there’s a great view of the Via Domitia to one side and the curious geometric shape of the Etang de Montardy to the other. There’s also a small museum. Visit in the morning and go on to Beziers for lunch; alternatively, the adjacent village of Nissan-lez-Enserune is pleasant and has a small selection of bars and restaurants. 25 miles/40km.
The Haut-Languedoc
Discover forests, lakes and waterfalls – and some pretty villages set amidst breathtaking scenery. It only takes about 45 minutes to drive to the charming town of Pradelles-Cabardes (24 miles/38km) and from there you can drive up the Pic de Nore, the highest point in the park at 1,211m. The view from the top is staggering – you can see the Pyrenees, the Corbières, the Mediterranean Sea, the Toulouse plain and the Lacaune Mountains. Or visit Olargues, one of the Plus Belle Villages des France (pictured – 38 miles/60km).
The Massif de la Clape
Part of the Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise en Mediterannée, with excellent walking and mountain biking, La Clape has some excellent vineyards and has recently been granted AOC status. Take the steep path up through the sailor’s cemetery to reach the hilltop chapel of Nôtre Dame des Auzils and enjoy a fabulous view over the coast. 29 miles/47km.
Gruissan
Originally a fishing village, sited on a hill between two lagoons, the old town forms a circulade (circular pattern) around the 13th-century castle. Gruissan has an excellent market on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and a good choice of restaurants. The modern marina is in complete contrast to the old town; it berths up to 1,300 yachts and is flanked by shops and restaurants. The étangs (lagoons) here are home to many wildfowl and migratory birds – if you are lucky you may even see flamingos. 30 miles/48km.
Beziers
Béziers has France’s second-largest conservation area – only Paris’ is bigger. Visit the Roman ampitheatre and wander the maze of streets between the Allées Paul Riquet and the cathedral. The Church of St Jacques, which lay on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route, is interesting to visit, as is the old cemetery; La Madeleine, one of few buildings to survive the crusade against the Cathars, is also worth a look and the adjoining square is a popular place to eat. The covered market, Les Halles, sells local specialities. The Fonseranes Locks are also of interest; a series of eight locks and nine basins allows boats travelling the Canal du Midi to descend over 2,000 metres over a distance of 300 metres. 31 miles/50km.
Réserve Africaine de Sigean
The Réserve Africaine de Sigean is the biggest and best safari park in France, covering around 700 aces/300 hectares, with both drive through and walk through areas. The park has 3,800 animals – including lions, giraffes, rhinos, gorillas, elephants, emus, monkeys, alligators, cheetahs, zebras and more. A great favourite with children. 32 miles/51km.
The Mediterranean beaches
The Mediterranean coastline lies just 30 miles/48km from Azille and is easily reached in about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your chosen destination. Gruissan has several excellent beaches offering bucket-and-spade fun and a big choice of watersports, as well as a large marina. Narbonne Plage is family friendly and also offers watersports. A little further east, Valras Plage (38 miles/60km) has plenty of entertainment for children, including a museum full of K’nex! To the west, La Franqui (40 miles/64km) offers a quieter, less developed alternative. Find out more about our beaches…