Our first stop is the historical city centre of Narbonne. We visit the impressive Archbishop Palace which links to the St. Just and St. Pasteur Cathedral by the cloister. The cathedral is a magnificent jewel of Gothic architecture from the 13th century.

Next you will discover Roman antiquity from when Narbonne used to be capital of Narbonensis Provincia. A section of the Via Domitia, the Roman-built road that linked Italy and Spain, is exhibited in the centre of the main square. We will also visit the last remaining building from Roman times.

Before lunch we visit the famous covered food market, Les Halles. The market is open every morning of the year and is a lively scene. Enjoy the smells and tastes of local products as you become familiar with the flavours of southern France.

Free time for lunch or enjoy an authentic southern France picnic (€20 / pers).

In the afternoon choose between visiting Gruissan village and the nearby salt pond or exploring the Fontfroide Abbey before treating your palate to some local wine.

Gruissan village and salt pond.

Nestled between sea and lagoon is the circular village of Gruissan. From the medieval tower of Barberousse enjoy a panoramic view of the surroundings. Discover the near-by salt pond and its unusal pink colour within an environment where the fauna and flora are protected.

Fontfroide Abbey.

The most beautiful abbey in our region, Fontfroide is a fully preserved former Cistercian monastery built in the 12th Century. The Abbey is situated on 2 hectares of restored terraced gardens from the 16th Century including one of the largest rose gardens in southern France. Assisted by an audio guide, you can learn the history of Fontfroide while you wander around the abbey grounds.

Wine tasting.

Sample an array of Languedoc wines and learn the secrets of winemaking at one of the local wineries as you tour France’s largest wine region.