Location
Villa La Cardabelle is located in the delightful
hamlet of Cabrials (Google Map),
the villa is bordered on two sides by Olive Groves and fronted by a
peaceful lane which leads down to a beautiful valley covered in
vineyards, 2 minutes walk away from the villa. Cabrials is located
in the hills of the Garrigues approximately 30 miles south west of
Montpellier and is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and almond
and cherry orchards.
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Montpellier |
A short walk from La
Cardabelle takes you to the village centre, the 12th century
church, square and village shop, Canard de la Fontaine (Duck of the
Fountain) selling the essentials of life, wine, bread, milk, local
produce etc. This Epicerie also serves drinks and you can enjoy an
aperitif or two under the shade of a tree covered courtyard, meeting
the locals of Cabrials. For the energetic there are beautiful
country walks in all directions across the Garrigues, the area is
excellent cycling country and there is a tennis court in the village
that can be hired at very little cost. |
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The next nearest village
is Plaissan (2 miles) which has a bar located in the church square,
there is also a Tobac, Hairdresser, Boulangerie, Pizzeria, Butcher
and our local Cave, Vicomte de Aumelas.
St. Pargoire, a beautiful
medieval village is a 5 minute drive from La Cardabelle and
where you will find two Restaurants, Bar, Pizzeria, small
Supermarket, Pharmacy and a Doctor’s Surgery.
A further 5 minutes drive
will bring you to St. Pons-de-Mauchiens, simply stunning and a must
to see at night. This truly beautiful medieval village surrounded by
vineyards is crowned by a church set high on the hill at the centre
of the village with spectacular views in all directions.
The bustling historic
town of Pezenas (home for some time of Molliere) is a 13 mile drive
from La Cardabelle. Pezenas is famous for its bustling
Saturday market, architecture, music festivals, Restaurants,
Brocantes and of course shopping. |
Pezenas Market |
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The Harbour at Meze |
Meze on the L'étang de
Thau – Mediterranean, is the most beautiful little town with a
picturesque harbour surrounded with fish restaurants and numerous
narrow and meandering streets, beaches lie on both sides of the
harbour. Meze is barely a 25 minutes drive from La Cardabelle,
8 miles as the crow flies and a little further by road. Meze is
located on the Etang de Thau, our gateway to the Mediterranean, the
beaches are clean and the waters are shallow, crystal clear, safe
and ideal for children. |
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Flamingos on the
Etang de Thau |
L'étang de Thau is famous
for shell fish, particularly mussels and oysters, to quote Rick
Stein “the best oysters in the World are found in the L'étang de
Thau”. Try lunch or dinner at any of the many harbour restaurants
an experience not to be missed and not expensive or you could buy a
dozen oysters from any of the Coquillage stalls on the Etang and
take them back to La Cardabelle to enjoy under the pergola on
a warm summers evening with a bottle of chilled wine. Lac du Salagou with its
Ghost Village and many water based activities set amid stunning
scenery is only 25 minutes drive from La Cardabelle, on route
you pass through Clermont l’Herault famous for its medieval church
and the regions main Olive Co-operative and shop. |
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St. Guilhem le Desert
(our favourite village), this stunningly picturesque medieval
village is rated in the top 10 of France’s most beautiful villages
and is a 25 minute drive from La Cardabelle, a drive that
takes you meandering through vineyards before arriving at the
Georges de Herault, drive over the Pont du Diable ( The Devils
Bridge) and within 5 minutes you arrive at St. Guilhem le Desert,
prepare your selves for something really special!
A further 5 minutes drive
on from St. Guilham le Desert takes you to Canoe Centres where you
can hire canoes and paddle through the Herault
Gorges. |
St.-Guilhem-le-Desert |
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