Local Attractions and Lifestyle

The charming village of La Redorte sits on the banks of the Canal du Midi, the most popular pleasure waterway in Europe. Built in the 17th Century as a trade route between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the canal has now become a popular tourist attraction with many people taking pleasure cruises along it.  From Château de la Redorte it is possible to follow the river for miles and miles through charming vineyards and quaint villages, making the château a perfect base for romantic breaks or family holidays.

The ancient town of Carcassonne is just 20 minutes away.  An old roman fortress and fortified city, Carcassonne is a popular destination full of history and tradition with cobbled streets, castles, moats, ancient churches and lots more.

Walkers are well catered for in the area but for the more energetic La Redorte is just one hour away from the Pyrenees with its amazing Grand Randonnées and excellent ski areas.  Or for a complete culture change, the Spanish border is also just one hour’s drive away.

Wine

The Languedoc-Roussillon is home to the Appellations of Corbières, Côteaux du Languedoc, Minervois, Saint-Chinian (red and rose only), Faugères (red and rose only), Minervois La Livinière, Fitou, Cabardès, Malepère, Clairette du Languedoc, Les Muscats and Limoux (sparkling wines).

Among the grapes grown in this area you'll find Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, Lladoner Pelut and Piquepoul, used in making the red and rosé wines while Grenache blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Maccabeu, Marsanne, Muscat, Roussanne, Vermentino and Rolle are the basis for the whites.  Piquepoul grapes are used to make Picpoul de Pinet, a specialty of the Côteaux du Languedoc region.
The last decade has seen a focus on quality over quantity in this area and the wine lovers of the world have noticed the change...

Food

Languedoc cuisine relies heavily on local produce: olive oil, tomato sauces, and herbs from the wild Garrigue landscapes of the region such as thyme, rosemary and sorrel. 

Virtually every town or district in the Languedoc has a favourite dish – often based on locally available produce.  Perhaps the best known regional dishes are confit de canard with delicious pieces of duck preserved in its own fat and cassoulet – a filling casserole of haricot beans, mutton, pork or sausages and preserved goose.  The town of Sète is famous for its bourride, a fish stew with a garlicky mayonnaise. Fresh sea bass, tuna, sardines, oysters and mussels are all in plentiful supply.
And for dessert:  apricots, peaches, figs, cherries and delicious lavender honey are just some of the region’s excellent home-produced ingredients used in desserts.

Fêtes

The great thing about Languedoc-Roussillon is that there is so much going on - the region hosts a huge variety of events and fêtes all year-round, some of which are regular fixtures in the calendar:

• From La Fête de l’Orange in January in Banyuls-sur-Mer to the street parties in February and March to celebrate La Fête de la Saint Blaise in Saint Martial, Toques et Clochers and Mardi Gras in Limoux;
• The Whitsun and wine harvest Féria in Nîmes; Le Printemps dans les Vignes celebrations (walks and cycle rides through the regions vineyards with wine and food matching and wine tastings);
• The Montpellier Dance Festival and La Fête de la Transhumance (the gentle herding of some 5,000 sheep and cattle (wearing colourful woollen pom-poms, special hand-painted wooden collars and bells and their wool daubed with red and blue dye) through the streets of the small village of Valleraugue).  Then there's:
• Les Feux de Saint Jean summer solstice party in June; the Bastille Day firework display over the ramparts of La Cité of Carcassonne and the Languedoc stages of the Tour de France in July; water jousting at Les Joutes Nautiques de Sète and bull fighting in Béziers in August; not to mention:
• La Journée de la Truffe, Les Vendanges de l’Histoire, La Fête de la Soup, La Fête de la Chataigne and La Foire aux Gras for the rest of the year - all celebrating the Languedoc’s passionate love affair with its amazing local produce!