15 Grand Rue is in the thriving 1000-year-old pretty village of Caux in the rolling countryside between the mountains and the sea. The heart of Caux dates back to the 10th century with the Church being recorded on the “Livre Noir” in 1172. Like many medieval villages, Caux was built to a circular plan with the church at the highest point in the centre with the later 18th and 19th developments radiating out in concentric circles. Grand Rue is one of the 18th century roads in the centre of the village.

Many of the important houses were built during this time, including 15 Grand Rue, which were built with the sizeable profits from wine production. To discover these houses with their intricate ironwork balconies you need to walk round the village as there are many hidden gems tucked away down small streets.

 

In the old quarter there is the typical archways, mullioned windows and carved doorways in the maze of narrow streets. The church is a listed historic monument built in golden honey coloured stone; the impressive tower was a 14th century addition and is one of the first thing you see on your approach to Caux.

 

Today Caux is an all year round lively village with a wide variety of shops for your daily needs and a weekly Friday market. Don’t be surprised by the announcements over the village public address system letting the locals know what’s happening which actually start with them saying ‘allo ‘allo! There are 2 traditional bars and a pizza shop, 2 bakeries, pharmacy, Tabac and Post Office to name but a few, and of course caves to taste the local wines.

There are many walks and bike rides you can take from Caux into the vines with its beautiful scenery and views towards L’Espinouse Mountains. In spring the vines burst into bud with fields and hedgerows alive with the colour of irises and poppies and in summer the verdant vines surrounded by golden grasses lead into autumn and the vines turn to vibrant gold’s and red. Winter can be cold but short.

 

 

One of the jewels in the crown of the Languedoc and one of the most beautiful in the South West, with the cobbled streets of the historic old town and amazing architectural heritage, mainly built in the 17th century, with an informative walking tour in English available from the Tourist Office. You can watch the world go buy from the pavement cafes, and the wine bars are a great way to taste the multitude of different locals wines.
 
In the summer the streets come alive with street performers and musicians with the shops staying open late a couple of nights a week. The all day Saturday market is awash with local produce for a taste of the real Languedoc. Pézenas is one of Frances premier centre for antiques, endless brocantes line the main road through Pézenas and twice a year it holds an excellent Sunday brocante market with dealers arriving from all over the region. Various “vide greniers” are held throughout the summer.
 
In the heart of the old town there are over 30 artisan workshops creating one off objects. It has a wide array of restaurants and cafes.

 

 

On the coast, 20-minutes drive away, you can find sandy beaches to suite everyone’s taste from the undeveloped lido between Sete and Cap D’Agde to chic beach clubs at Villeroy Plage near Sete or Les Vagues restaurant between Rochelongue and Grau Agde. A cocktail or snack can be brought to your sun lounger, pure decadence.

There are various marinas along the coast, the largest being Cap D’Agde where you can hire boats for the afternoon. Alternatively you can also hire a boat and take a trip up the canal du Midi where you can while away a few hours and view the cascade of locks near Bezier or lunch in a canal side restaurant.

 

 

Head up into the Haute Languedoc to L’Espinouse Mountains and the landscape changes from vines to garrigue with Holm oaks and the scent of wild thyme and small plantations of Olives dotted between.

Gorges and Rivers abound in the Haute Languedoc; a favorite being Gorge D’Heric with its waterfalls and rock pools. The river Orb and Gorge D’Herault are great for kayaking and river swimming. Close by there are cathedral like caves with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

Throughout the region there are well-signed walks and trails, most of which we’ve tried and tested for you. We can provide maps and recommendations for all level of ramblers. The stunning scenery provides endless opportunities for keen photographers and bird watchers.

 

 

15 Grand Rue is centrally located for discovering the wide cultural heritage of the Languedoc. With its ancient towns and picturesque villages like St Guilhem de Desert, the old Ports of Marseillan or Bouzigue on the Etang, you can head off to discover, in about an hour from 15 Grand Rue, some of the best Roman monuments outside of Italy. Discover the world famous Pont du Gard, alongside the cities of Arles and Nimes with their working amphitheatre on the edge of the Camargue, or take a walk along the Via Domitia in the footsteps of Romans. Head north up the A75, toward the Tarn Gorges and you’ll find the worlds highest bridge, the Millau Bridge. Drive back through the villages of the Knights Templars, such as the authentic walled village of La Couvertoirade. More recent history can be explored through the L’Espinouse Mountains, as it’s been a well-worn path used by the resistance to evacuate soldiers through to Spain in WW2. Head South and the Cathar Castles abound, with Carcassonne as one of the high lights, and abbeys such as Fontfroide. You can also pick up the Canal du Midi, a major feat of civil engineering. Crossing the border into Spain the world class Dali museum is a must. Sete and Lodeve also have interesting galleries with annual summer exhibitions. Montpellier has great museums and beautiful architecture and you couldn’t be anywhere but France. This is just a brief glimpse of what the Languedoc has to offer. We can help you plan your days out when you are here, with some insider tips and pre programmed GPS to make your sight seeing trips a success.

 

 

A visit to the Languedoc would not be complete without some wine tasting as you’re in the worlds largest vineyard. You can walk out amongst the vines just a stone throw from 15 Grand Rue. There are many Domains where you can taste wine but we recommend you to join a half day wine tour that accommodates all levels of knowledge and have access to some of the private estates in the Languedoc.

If you’re interested in a more extensive wine tour please email for further details and a package can be tailored for you.

 

 

Dotted throughout the area, in quaint villages, are crafts people and artisans, who you can stumble across on your travels. They produce a wide range of goods from olive oil and fine foods – the world famous Roquefort cheese, tasted in its caves and pottery in the style of the Pots de Anduze, which grace fine houses throughout France and Italy and can be seen in the pottery village of St Jean de Fos. Just to name just a few.

 

 

The nearest major city, 45 minutes from Caux. It’s a vibrant city known as Paris of the South, with over a quarter of its population being students and a beautiful old quarter with a multitude of independent shops. At the heart of Montpellier is the Place de la Comedie, with the Theatre and numerous pavement cafes. As there is an ever-changing schedule of events please contact Montpellier tourist information office.

 

 

The choice of the seaside links at the Ronald Fream Course at Cape D’Agde or the Robert Trent Jones designed course at La Grand Motte near Montpellier. Inland at Lamalou there is also a course.

 

Other major tourist sites are just over an hour away such as the world famous Pont du Gard, Carcassonne, Camargue, Nîmes with its Féria and Arles with its roman ruins, the via domitia, Collioure artistic heritage , the Cathar castles of the Aude

 

 

To find out more about what to do and see in the region - try the links below:

• What to see and do in the Languedoc region >
• Travel information (flights, car hire etc) for Languedoc >
• What's on in the Hérault department >
• Guide books & maps for Languedoc >