On the horizon there are green grapes with sun-lined grapes and the names of all poetic grape varieties. The time for harvest has come very slowly, that is, to travel, outside the beaten paths, a territory that is filled with surprises. In Narbonnaise, at a time when the last vacationers deserted the beaches of the coastline, where the warmth of the September sun still warm the skins without burning them, we do not resist this irrepressible desire to leave otherwise, to escape from any constraint, to stop wherever we want, in unusual places, wild, on the shores of the Mediterranean or in the heart of a picturesque village. And it's in camping-car, to enjoy the Indian summer, that we embark on Narbonnaise to follow an improvised itinerary along the lines and parking areas that mesh the territory, 14 in total, equipped and equipped as well as many campsites where to stop in its home sweet home.
Sweetness of the back season in Narbonnaise
We don't get tired of the Mediterranean ambiences, the changing lights on the sea, this blue sky that detaches itself from pinewood pinewood, spectacular mountains that turn out to be amazed, calm the old fishing villages on the banks of the ponds. On board his camping car, we take the time. To live, to contemplate, to savor. To choose as well. The place and ambiance of the place where you will stop during your roaming. Because here in Narbonnaise, this 'Mediterranean concentrate', the choice is wide for camping-carists. You can ask Narbonne, on the beach road, an area ideally located just a few minutes from the center, to browse alleys and venelles, wandering along the Robine Canal, pushing the museum door of the capital 'Roman'. Closer to the Mediterranean Sea, we stop at the beach of Chalets in Gruissan; practical side is a drain station. It's from here that you can take the bike trail to discover the village of Barberousse and its magnificent panorama. Not far from the marina, the wild beach, and the limestone massif of La Clape, where you'll find yourself on marked trails. In Gruissan, 380 places await camping-carists on three reception areas: the beach of the Chalets of course but also the area of 4 Winds on the port and Mateille, located on the road of Narbonne Beach.
Indian Summer à la Carte
For water sports enthusiasts, Kite, windsurf, go down to Leucate, at the spot du Goulet, and its parking area with views of the pond, Corbières and the Pyrenees where the Canigou is located. In Leucate, two other areas are open also year round. The road to Peyriac-de-Mer, a charming lagoon village, where time seems suspended, like the colorful barks of the fishermen on the pond, is also hesitating. From the parking area, just a few steps from the village, the Indian summer offers these dreamy moments, neither too hot nor enough to go on foot exploring the old salines, watching the flight of flaming pink and bowing to a magnificent sunset. Another atmosphere, a little further away, in the natural setting of Pissevaches Pond: In Saint-Pierre-la-Mer, we don't press. Not far from the leisure base, the campground is stationed before going to enjoy the last summer swim, which in September plays extensions.
Find out more about the 14 Narbonnaise-based camping areas on their website. Contact by email: [email protected] or by telephone at 04 68 41 55 70.
Freedom, when you hold us…
The ideal with camping-car is that we're free to decide! Freedom, freedom… Where there is no shortage of assets in the territory to satisfy the demands of a frenzy: the sea and its beaches, the Clape mountains, the multiple terroirs, the vineyards at sight, the soothing surroundings of the Abbey of Fontfroid, the canal du Midi and its channels that lead the traveler to the Mediterranean Sea. In short, there's something to do with a la carte holiday, and to celebrate the beautiful colors of the Indian summer. Luxury in a word! And the freedom to choose between 500 km of hiking trails, mountain biking spaces in Gruissan in the Clape massif and on the canal du Midi, a small walk at sea in catamaran, or canoe on the lagoons, a boat ride to know everything about the ostréiculture parks, or horse from one of the equestrian centers of the territory, where we are in a wild setting.
More information on their website.
Art of living: Here, villages have a soul.
And then there are the people, the real, the women and the men who make the salt of this land. We stop close to one of the 38 villages around Narbonne in a camping area, and we take the time to listen, stroll through the streets. On the terrace of a café, in the shadow of a fig, you will be told the stories of the village, in the hour of a greedy break. We begin with the typical Mediterranean art of Mediterranean life. The thousand odors, the cries of joy of the children who play on the square of the village, the laughter of the elders who always delight themselves in "contar las istòrias del pagan"… everything is there. Really, we're good here.
More information on their website.
Culinary exception is the rule!
Fishing products on the small coastal ports, goat cheeses that are found on the markets in the morning, vineyards that produce a wine of character, olive trees that punctuate the landscapes on the edge of the roads inside the land… all this makes the papillae dirty. And you will want to stop at the restaurant's restaurateurs in the Narbonnaise to taste the «Country Plates». Because here, eating locally is usually a matter of course. Then we leave the campsite for a moment to explore these exciting places. At the Somail, the last barges sail quietly on the canal while on the way, and the chef proposes his plate composed of the best local produce, delivered by local producers or local craft companies. And in front of the Salin of the island Saint-Martin, in Gruissan, we taste at the same time as the last rays of sunshine, to this exquisite tapenade accompanied by a wonderful local chardonnay. Tomorrow, in Narbonne, in the heart of the centenary Halles, it will still be time to share other moments of happiness, a rich breakfast in the right courtesy, even from the zinc of one of the discreet restaurateurs, who will show you with generosity the best fresh produce to take on site.
More information on their website.
