Location & Surrounding Area
Medieval Servian lies on a sun-kissed hilltop on the coastal
plain between the Mountain and the Mediterranean beach
resorts. It has a population of around 3,700, and is located
in the Languedoc vineyards between historical
Beziers
and Renaissance Pezenas.
The village has a grocery store, 4 bakeries, newsagent,
fishmonger, 2 restaurants, café bar, 11 wine producers, and
just outside town a large supermarket. Traditional markets
are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the village also houses
a rather popular Car Boot / Antique market every Saturday
morning.
Local historical sites to visit include the Roman Bridge,
Priory of Amilhac, 12th century church and the
original village ramparts.
Beziers is only 15 minutes away, and is a vibrant town
bustling with traditional Mediterranean shops and its
magnificent Cathedral that looks out from its great height
over oceans of vineyards. The Canal du Midi cuts through
town, ideal for boat hire, or cycling along the tow path.
Each summer the ‘Feria’ Carnival brings tourists from around
the world. Make sure to take lunch at ‘Le Canard Bleu’ for
traditional Mediterranean cuisine, it’s the best value in
town.
Renaissance Pezenas is just 25 minutes away, with its
winding cobbled stone streets housing Antique Shops and
Art
Galleries. The Saturday Market is a must for holiday makers,
and there are many pavement cafes plus a huge choice of
restaurants. Indeed, expect to find no better coffee in the
whole of France than at ‘Cardamone Café’.
Summer festivals and concerts.
Montpellier is less than an hour away, and offers excellent
shopping and hypermarkets. Enjoy the superb Tram system,
alight at the ‘Place de Comedie’ for sightseeing and
refreshment.
The coastal plain provides literally hundreds of Domaines
for superb wine-tasting – its obligatory! Samples will be
generous, and in many cases (like ‘La Croix Belle’ in nearby
Puissalicon) guided tours are provided.
The award-winning Restaurant ‘La Boucherie’ can be found in
close by Magalas, but be sure to book in advance for Evening
Dinner.
A little north, the stunningly pretty’ Gorge D’Heric’ (once
described as a ‘sabre slash’ between the Mountains Espinouse
and Caroux. The gorge is a must for walkers, abseillers and
swimmers, the micro-climate providing beaches and rock
pools. Spend a day here, take a picnic, and take a hike up
to the plateau. Horse riding, Golf and Kayaking are also
available in the Orb valley. Nearby Olargues has been
described as ‘one of the prettiest villages in the whole of
France, and Roquebrun (with its Mediterranean Garden’ enjoys
the nickname of ‘Petit Nice’.
Lake Salagou is wonderful for fresh water swimming and water
sports.
The additional nearby towns of St.Pons, St.Chinian and
Lamalou-les bains (spa town) provide the visitor with plenty
of choice with many cultural events and fetes taking place
throughout the summer. Children will love the ‘Farm Zoo’ at
Cessanon.
To the south, the nearest beaches are at Valras Plage and
Vias Plage. Serignan Plage is a quieter option, but for ‘all
the fun of the fair’ head to Cap d’Agde (30 mins) with its
theme parks and the renowned ‘Aqualand’ water sports park.
To the east, you can discover the ‘Pont du Gard’ en route to
Provence, or head west for the fortified ancient City of
Carcassonne – readers of the ‘Da Vinci Code’ might want to
seek out the ‘Holy Grail’.
Skiers can head for the Pyrenees (90 mins) and Barcelona is
just 3 hours away if you fancy breakfast in the courtyard at
Servian and lunch on the ‘Ramblas’!
ACCESS
International airports
UK /
EUROPEAN FLIGHT LINKS HERE!
Perpignan 105km (Ryan Air Stansted, Flybe
Birmingham & Southampton)
Carcassonne 100km (Ryan Air
Stansted)
Montpellier 79km. (BA Gatwick, Ryan Air Stansted)
Nimes 125km (Ryan Air Stansted)
Avignon 165km
(Air France & British Airways Heathrow)
Marseille 220km (Thomsonfly
Coventry, Easyjet Gatwick, Air
France; Heathrow & Gatwick, British
Airways).
Girona (Spain) 195km (Ryan Air, Buzz, Easyjet)
Toulouse 195km (Flybe; Belfast,
Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southampton,
Easyjet Gatwick)
Beziers - Paris three flights daily
Railway: Beziers and Agde have railway stations with nearby
car rental. Paris to Beziers
is 4,20 hrs by TGV (Train de Grande Vitesse).
Road: 765 km south of Paris which is about 6 hours
drive and 1050 km South of Calais