Here’s a selection of activities guests at Les Eaux Calmes in Gabian enjoy………..

·         walking or biking or horse riding in beautiful hillsides

·         swimming and sunbathing at the nearby lake with picnic area at Vailhan or travel 30 minutes to beautiful Mediterranean beaches

·         wine tasting tours, village festivals and markets

·         site seeing - many local castles and the Chateau Abbey de Cassan

·         the historic town of Pézenas (see below)

·         Roquessels with its ruined castle and splendid views

·         Hiking in the mountains and gorges of the Parc Naturel du Haut Languedoc

·         the Mediterranean Garden at Roquebrun 

·         kayaking through dramatic gorges in the Orb valley

·         Olargues beautiful medieval village  

·         classical music festivals (see website links)

·         St Guilhelm le Desert fortified hill village

·         Lac de Salagou natural scenery

·         Les Bouzigues fishing village with fresh oysters

·         Canal du Midi boating, cycling or walking

·         Watersports on Le Bassin de Thau

·         Golf course within 25 minutes

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Pezenas (10 miles south) is described in the Rough Guide to Languedoc Rousillon as:

“one of the singularly most beautiful towns in the French south west, endowed with an almost overwhelming concentration of grand architecture”

In high season there is late night shopping on Wednesday and Friday evenings until 12 midnight when the narrow medieval streets are alive with the bustling, romantic atmosphere of artisan’s small craft workshops and outdoor restaurants.

There is a wonderful large outdoor market on Saturday mornings.

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Walking – there are a selection of maps and guidebooks in the house with lots of choice

Details of four short walks from the house are found on laminated A5 cards in the house:

Walk One: Northern Lights          2½ miles          

Walk Two: Western Waters        1½ miles          

Walk Three: Eastern Streams     3½ miles          

Walk Four: Southern Castles      4½ miles

The fresh air smell of the natural herbs and shrubs in the garrigue (natural countryside) is wonderful. There are lovely views and sights of interest to be enjoyed on the local walks.

In hot weather the walks are best enjoyed in the balm of the morning or evening air. 

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Cycling - there are two bikes with locks and helmets in the cellar / cave.

There is also a rack for transporting the bicycles by car

Best short bike ride: follow road over bridge to Montesquieu; take right turn to Vailhan – beautiful small reservoir for swimming / picnics (about 5 miles north east)

Other routes: the road to Faugeres is also very pretty; in fact it’s a delight all round …Roquessels, Fouzilhon/Magalas, Pouzolles, Margon, Roujan …

Medium / longer bike rides: see “circuite de decouverte” on wall map.

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Horse riding

There is horse riding available from Vailhan just five miles away.

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Art, books and Pottery

There is often a display of local art in Gabian.

There is an English book sale at the bar in Gabian on the last Sunday every month.

There is a pottery at Vailhan.

 

OR BETTER STILL…….  

JUST SIT AND RELAX IN OUR LOVELY COURTYARD

simply slow down, soak in the peaceful ambience of the local lifestyle,

WITH A GLASS OF WINE & A GOOD BOOK

and meals taken al fresco within the quiet and sheltered courtyard walls.

In the evenings, the standard lamp from the dining room can be plugged in outside for card and board games.