Things to do while at Le Cerisier

Sightseeing in the Area
We have created this page for our visitors to help make the most out of their stay.
There are so many stunning places to visit in Languedoc that even if you stayed for a month or more, there would be too many places to see, so we have prepared a short list of the ‘must see’ places to help you plan you break.

Markets

Fridays – Beziers flower market, stroll around the old streets of Beziers, see the beautiful flower and plant stalls in the town centre. For lunch head to Le Chameau Ivre (The Drunken Camel) for a lunch of French tapas and fabulous local wine.

Saturdays- Pezenas Market – A must see, all the stalls are set up along the main street in the beautiful old town of Pezenas, stalls selling everything from food products to clothes and bags. Head off into the old town and wander around the cool cobbled streets with all the boutiques and art galleries. For lunch we recommend L’Arc de Ciel, a simple restaurant in a delightful square in the middle of the old town, or alternatively if you are looking for something more upmarket try the popular L’Entrepot, a fabulous modern restaurant. Alternatively, buy your lunch from the market and take a picnic to the beach, one of our favourite things to do!

Sundays – St Chinian has a market every Sunday morning, which is worth a visit, not as big as Pezenas market but full of French charm and the drive to St Chinian, along the River Orb is breathtaking.

Roquebrun and Gorges D’Heric

A wonderful day out would be to head north to Roquebrun, a beautiful village on the banks of the River Orb, wander around the medieval streets, sunbathe on the river beach, have lunch in one of the restaurants overlooking the river, then to walk off your lunch, keep travelling north to the Gorges D’Heric. Slicing its way through the Black Mountains, the Gorges d'Héric is beautiful and hugely striking. In summer, water trickles from rock pool to rock pool, some of which are the size and depth of swimming pools. In winter, the rains turn the trickle into roaring waterfalls. A road allows you to walk all the way up the gorge - to a café at the top.

Gorges de Columbieres

Nestled in the Montaignes Noir, the Gorges de Colombières is the little brother of the Gorges d'Héric - located just 10 minutes to the west. Like Héric, it's a mountain river that runs from rock pool to rock pool - making it a really magical place to swim in summer. With so many rock pools to choose from, you should be able to find your own, even in August. Take some food and towels to sit on. For the more energetic, there is a 12 km walk up one side of the gorge and down the other, its not for the fainthearted as it can be quite steep in parts, but the views from the top are breathtaking.

Cirque du Moreze
Giant rock 'dolomites' carved by rainfall that form a forest of strange and wonderful 'phalices'! There are a number of marked walks through the park for different levels of difficulty. The best is the 2.5 hour 'difficile' walk, which is actually more of a climb through the park and up the hillside. At the very top you're rewarded with amazing views of Lake Salagou on one side, and Cirque de Moureze on the other. There is a snack-restaurant in the village of Mourèze itself.

Collioures
A little bit further away but well worth a visit, After miles of flat, straight coastline, the 'feet' of Languedoc's Pyrénées spill down to the coast, causing it to undulate and rise steeply from the ocean. It's here, just a few kilometres from Spain, that you find Collioure. It feels more like an Italian seaside town, with its impressive fortifications rising from the bay, its pretty pastel houses, and the (often) snow-capped Pyrénées rising impressively in the distance. It's also an oasis of sophistication, with chichi cafés and restaurants catering for Languedoc's wealthier residents - many of whom have apartments here.

Bouzigues
Along the coast between Meze and Sete is the tiny fishing village of Bouzigues. The village itself is quite sweet if a little sleepy. Come here, instead, for the spectacular views of the oyster beds splaying out across the Etang, with Sète in the distance. Come here, also, for the excellent seafood - and oysters that are said to be the best in France. Our favourite restaurant is Le Petit Marin. Restaurants here do get busy, so it’s a good idea to arrive either at 12 noon or at around 1.45 pm.

Best beaches
La Tamarissiere – A small pretty resort at the mouth of the Herault River, lovely white sandy beach, although a little on the small side, and so does get extremely busy in the summer. Along the side of the river there are some decent restaurants and cafes, additionally there is a boat which regularly crosses the river to the resort on the other side if you fancy a change of scenery.
Portiragnes - Portiragnes is a lovely beach, with fine sand and practically no views of commerce. It's smaller than other beaches - and so feels more intimate. Head to Portiragnes West, it has a decent beach bar/café, but that’s about it, and so is quieter than other beaches in the summer.

River Beach and Swimming at Reals - Réals isn't’ a town or village - just a point at which there is a bridge over the River Orb. There is a large picnic/barbecue ground where anyone is free to claim and use one of the concrete public BBQs. It’s a nice spot to come for a picnic or to grill your steaks. Just down the road from here, just before the bridge, you’ll find the Auberge de Réals, a very popular restaurant that serves simple, well-cooked food at reasonable prices.
Downstream from the bridge, accessible by a short but steep, rocky path, the river opens up and becomes very gentle, flowing slowly past a small, pebbly beach that is very popular with families in the summer. The river is 10 or so feet at its deepest here - but by the beach itself it’s quite shallow. Up by the foot of the bridge itself, teenagers throw themselves off the rocks into the sparkling river below. Great fun!

Montpellier

Montpellier really is special. What’s more – very few people outside France have understood just what a fantastic city this is. Broad boulevards lined with shady plane trees, a huge car-free central square laid out in the 1700s surrounded by elegant balustraded buildings, even a vast triumphal arch – you name it, Montpellier’s got it. Only an hour from us by car, use the park and tram system, rather than parking in Montpellier centre, then spend the day exploring this beautiful city.

Aigue-Mortes
Just south of Montpellier, you will find the coastal town of Aigue-Mortes a stunning walled town set back from the coast. The town is surrounded by 1.7km of imposing stone walls, which you can climb to the top of. The town is a buzzy and beautiful tourist trap, brimming with tourist shops and restaurants. It’s definitely worth a visit - just to see the towering walls. Some of the restaurants aren’t bad either, and it’s a great place to escape to for an evening drink after sightseeing in Montpellier.

On Your Doorstep

The region around le Cerisier is a favourite area for all types of cycling. It is an ideal location for early season training with a variety of terrains from steep mountain roads to the flat coastal plains. Road cyclists can follow the Languedoc sections of the Tour de France and mountain bikers have numerous trails through vineyards or mountains, which are literally on your doorstep. There are quiet trails, suitable for families, all around the area surrounding Le Cerisier, including 240km of tracks along the Canal du Midi.

Le Cerisier has 2 off road bikes (1 male and 1 female) for guest use, free if charge.

Cycle hire is available in the area for around 110 euros per week for a road bike and 85 euros per week for an all terrain bike. Cycle hire can be arranged by le Cerisier owners.

Walkers will also find the area has much to offer. There are historic walks around St genies and the surrounding medieval villages, walking along the Canal du Midi and to the north, more demanding hiking in the hills and mountains of the Herault. Maps and guide books may be borrowed from Le Cerisier.