In Narbonne, at a time when the last holidaymakers have deserted the beaches, we take advantage of the Indian summer to improvise our itinerary in the heart of the Occitan vineyards, off the beaten track. Everywhere here, the vineyard with its flamboyant colours predominates, wherever you look. On the limestone massifs, the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon, the small roads along the ponds, the vines are there. Omnipresent. The time has come for the harvest, the sun has been pouring sugar into the grapes all summer long. The harvest promises to be beautiful, and this year will again produce wines of excellence. It is not for nothing that we come here to discover them, these wines: the Narbonnaise has been awarded the label "Vineyards & Discoveries" for its wine tourism offer. Discovery of estates, castles, tables and guest rooms... it's up to you to choose among these 5 courses that we have tested for you.
Explosion of flavours: a stroll in the Corbières maritimes
Vineyards as far as the eye can see. From Cap-Leucate to the ponds of Bages, a picturesque village planted on a rock, from the Corbières massif to the lagoons, the vine spreads and blossoms to produce AOC wines with character, fleshy and elegant reds, dry or mineral whites, fruity and tasty rosés. Nuggets and great classics that can be discovered in the cellars or estates in a completely original way: Isabelle, with her wine'4 hours touroffers 2CV tours to discover the vineyards of the Corbières maritimes. Visits, tastings of the best wines from here on the program! Accommodation, a stone's throw from the Mediterranean, in the heart of nature, and also unusual: the Château de Lastours. If you dream of sleeping in a gîte or bed and breakfast in the heart of a domain with a high-tech architecture. And then, if you feel like going out to sea, we escape aboard the boatOcéane II in the Mediterranean, we enjoy a privileged view of the oyster beds of the pond of Leucate. Oysters to enjoy on site, accompanied by a glass of white wine from the Leucate cellar.
Canals and rivers in the Minervois
Exploring Narbonne means travelling through surprising worlds. Thus, in the Minervois, rivers and canals predominate, winding lazily between the vines. The starting point of this escapade: Somail, a small port on the edge of the canal, where time seems to stand still. Here, we contemplate the heritage dating back to the 18th century... before pushing the door of the Tourist Office there to discover a scenography on the history of the canalsthree of which have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A water story, intimately linked to the development of viticulture. To grasp its meaning, there is nothing like going up the course of the Canal du Midi on board a barge. A little further on, we find the charming village of Bize-Minervois, with its typical Languedoc architecture, its rivers, its small galleries of craftsmen, after having crossed the hills populated by olive trees and vineyards of the Minervois. The cellars of the Cabezac Castle are located a few kilometres away, as well as Oulibo, the largest olive-growing cooperative in Aude. A visit is essential, count one hour and a half, to understand everything about the secrets of making its olive oil. On the hosting side, the choice is vast. We fell in love with the Mas d'Antoninbecause, it's rather rare, Helena transmits the art of truffle cooking!
Island of great wines, La Clape
Between land and sea, the Clape MassifThe old island, once an island, stands in the middle of a wild and grandiose nature, with the exhilarating scent of the scrubland. Limestone cliffs overlooking the bright blue sea, canyons here and there, valleys dotted with pine forests, scrublands and vineyards... It is on this protected and wild area that the winegrowers raise the vines with great care. All you have to do is listen to them talk about it with passion, about this limestone soil that produces great wines. Thus, Michel Kleinrichert of the Domaine de Langel: "Fruity on the palate, these are rather gouleyant red wines that benefit from the freshness of the sea...". Through the winding roads of La Clape, you can also find the Mas du Soleilla, the Château l'Hospitalet of the very mediaeval former rugby player Gérard Bertrand, and leaving on the wine roads, the Château d'Anglès... All this makes you want to sleep in the vineyards and opt for the life of the castle, which you do by staying at Château Pech Celeyran, owned by the Saint-Exupéry family. Just like us, you won't want to leave it anymore!
Narbonne, capital of the vine
Antiquity, medieval times, the golden age of viticulture at the beginning of the 20th century.. Narbonne has known several stories, and it is undoubtedly to the Romans, who colonized the city as early as 118 BC by importing the cultivation of the vine, that we owe this heritage of the vine. Strolling along the boats of the Canal de la Robine or in the alleys of the city centre, you will find a good number of restaurants and wine bars, including two addresses labelled "Vignobles & Découvertes" Le Petit Comptoir and Les Cuisiniers Cavistes. A little outside the city, you can satisfy your epicurean desires by sitting at the Large Buffetsan address that counts in the city. To sleep, we think of reserving charming guest rooms at the winegrower's house. Among our selection: Domaine de Beaupré, Pardeilhan, Montlaurès... or in the heart of town, in hotel La Résidence.
Gastronomy and serenity at the Massif de Fontfroide
On the Fontfroide terroir, not far from Narbonne, there is a very special atmosphere. An invitation to meditation and meditation. In the 11th century, monks settled there to foundone of the most beautiful Cistercian abbeys in southern France. For 900 years,the Abbey of Fontfroide has been producing its wine, whose latest wines of excellence have won many awards. A visit to the cellar is essential for a tasting. Or even book a table at the restaurant The Fontfroide Table to taste the Mediterranean menu and the food and wine combinations produced by the abbey. A must. A few kilometres away, the Domaine Beauregard Mirouze. Karine and Nicolas, these two young winegrowers, former agricultural engineers returning to the country, present in the cellar wines with powerful aromas. And to finish the walk, why don't we soak up the place for the night? Not far from there, in Bizanet, in a typical Corbières village, there is one of the most beautiful guest rooms in the area: the Domaine Saint-Jean
