What to See

              Val J. Littman
Linda S. Korolewski
10 rue Molière
34510 Florensac France

Telephone: France (0)4 67 00 14 95
Email: mail@petitjardin.com

Mediterranean Languedoc is France yet to be discovered by many. Some say the French have kept this part of Provencal France a secret to themselves. Your favorite travel guide might not even have a section on the Languedoc. We find the most complete guide on the area to be Michelin (Green Guide) Languedoc - Roussillon- Tarn Gorges. We have highlighted a few reference points below to help you uncover historical sites, recreational activities, and tastes of France near our home.

No more than 15-20 minutes from le petit jardin de l'âme

The Bassin de Thau is the largest of the Mediterranean lagoons. It is the center of the "oyster route". Hand pick your fresh coquillage sold at road side stands or have lunch in the sun on the quay in fishing villages of Mèze, Marseillan, Bouzigue or Sète. Outside Marseillan on the road to Sète is a 22km stretch of unspoiled sandy beach. Just pull off the road and jump into the Mediterranean or stroll along the shore.

Abbaye de Valmagne is a well-preserved Cistercian monastery, now privately owned. Simple on the outside, it has a most wonderful cloister. Take a tour, taste the wines. The village of Pézenas is a short drive along country roads; we know you'll visit it more than once during your stay. About 20 minutes away is the Cathedral St. Nazaire at Bézier. The cathedral is most picturesque from the Pont Vieux, but travel into the center of town to touch its history and see the cloisters.
The vestiges of pre-roman civilization and medieval engineering at Oppidum d'Ensèrune put your present situation, whatever it may be into a whole new perspective.

Along the way you have many a country village holding something for you to discover and row upon row of vines and degustation at local domaine and cave cooperatives. Taste Vin de Pays d'Oc, Vin de Pays l'Hérault, Coteaux-du-Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet, Faugères, Saint Chinian, Minervois, Muscat-de-Frontignan and... along the Route de Vin in this the largest wine producing area of France.

Sites and activities 1-2 hour drive

The list of possibilities for day trips grows larger as the circle from Florensac widens. Each of the sites below holds many possibilities for side adventures. Cosmopolitan cities built around ancient centers include Nîme, Montpellier, Arles, Avignon, Toulouse, Albi. Well-preserved moments out of history such as Carcassonne, Aigues-Mortes, Abbaye de Fontfroide, St. Guilhem le Desert and Pont du Gard attract many tourists. And Cirque de Navacelle, Lac Salagu, The Grand Causes, Grotte des Demoiselles, Corniche des Cévennes are among some of the natural wonders that spring from the varied terrain that makes up the Languedoc. These sites can be an easy day trip from Florensac or perhaps part of your France itinerary before or after your visit to le petit jardin de l'âme.

The Spanish border is only 90 minutes from your B&B. Add a touch of Spain and Catalonia to your France itinerary. Travel time from Barcelona to Florensac is just under three hours. See the Pyrénées and the hill side towns along the Côte Vermeille.