Welcome to the La Calade Blog
A helpful read
How the French celebrate Christmas
How the French celebrate Christmas includes letters to Santa, presents at the beginning of December and a huge meal on Christmas Eve. Letters to Santa Writing to Santa is tradition across the world, but in France he writes back! Since a law was passed in 1962 stating...
Les Grands Buffets, Narbonne
The restaurant Les Grands Buffets in Narbonne has revived the French tradition of buffets. Since the Middle Ages, this is how the French aristocracy have enjoyed their grand banquets; serving all the dishes at the same time on a 'buffet' inviting each guest to compose...
A Trip to Minerve
If you are visiting this part of France then a trip to Minerve should be on everyone's itinerary. There really is something for everybody - breathtaking scenery, rich history, walking, swimming, great restaurants and little local shops. Here are a few things that...
Autumn in the Languedoc-Roussillon, Occitanie
Autumn is a fantastic time to visit the Languedoc-Roussillon, Occitanie. The stifling heat of summer gives way to a comfortable warmth with temperatures a very pleasant 20 to 25 °c and the air becomes much clearer. It's superb weather for walking and cycling, and is...
Eating in at La Calade
We are lucky to be able to offer you the perfect spot for eating in at La Calade -why not relax under the shade of a large lime tree in our tranquil, south-facing garden? So many of our guests don't want to leave it once they have spent some time there. So we've been...
The Perfect Mid-Week Break in Occitanie
We thought we would share with you our idea of a perfect mid-week break in Occitanie - in and around Montouliers. The weekends can get busy on the beaches, in the restaurants and on the roads, so why not make the most of the quieter times and come and have a break...
Tour de France 2021 Stage 13
The Tour de France 2021 is fast approaching! And the date for your diary is... Friday July 9, 2021 Stage 13 of the 2021 Tour de France is in Canal du Midi territory! This is the 108th edition of race. The Grand Depart will be in Brittany on 26th June and it will...
Sketching holidays in Montouliers
How do you fancy a relaxing stay at La Calade combined with a weekend of sketching in the local vineyards of Montouliers? Stay in one of our beautiful en-suite rooms, spend your days being taught by the very talented and patient Annette and your evenings relaxing in...
Saint Chinian Market
If you are holidaying in the South of France then going to a local market should be a must-do on your itinerary. Visiting a local Languedoc market is always a real treat. Buzzing with life, full of colours, aromas and sounds; the market is where you'll find some of...
Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon is the part of the French Mediterranean with a charm all of its own. One of its great assets is the amount of exciting geography in a relatively small area. From the wetlands of the Petite Camargue and its white horses and black bulls to the...
Best Languedoc Wineries…near us…so far!
The Mediterranean climate of the Languedoc, with its mild winters and hot summers, is ideal for growing grapes. Reds, whites, rosés and effervescent wines sit side by side, with their own unique personalities. From muscat to Blanquette de Limoux, the oldest wine in...
Loyalty Cards
Make us your regular and get reward points with our Loyalty Card! This is our way of saying thank you to our loyal customers for choosing us again and again. To join our scheme simply pick up a Loyalty Card from La Calade or get in touch with your address and we can...
We Won An Award!
We’re absolutely delighted and honoured to announce that La Calade has won The B&B School 'Best Marketing Campaign' Award for 2020 and we were also shortlisted for the 'Make it Happen' Award! The B&B School awards celebrate the best Bed & Breakfasts all...
Galette des Rois
After the French food fest of Christmas and New Year’s Eve has finished, the arrival of January brings a national obsession with the galette or gâteau des rois – the “Cake of Kings.” This scrumptious-looking cake, usually topped with a golden paper couronne (crown),...
Cycling on the Canal du Midi
Cycling along the Canal du Midi in southern France is great trip, which you can fit into a week's holiday. The 240km canal runs from Toulouse in the Haute Garonne to Sète on the Mediterranean Coast. The flat, picturesque route is divided into five stages, each around...
Gruissan Village and Gruissan Plage
Gruissan - A Fisherman's Village Nestled between sea and lagoons, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Narbonne, stands Gruissan. This old, circular, fishing village is overlooked by the 13th century Barberousse tower and church. As well as its traditional...
On the Canal du Midi
Where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean The Canal du Midi is the oldest canal in the world. It winds its way from bustling Toulouse to the golden sands of the Mediterranean under a canopy of plane trees. The Canal was built from 1667 to 1681. And this 240km network...
What is a Workation?
Workations have grown in popularity recently, but what do they actually entail? Let's have a look... What is a Workation? A workation (sometimes spelled workcation) is a working vacation (in the UK it might be called a workoliday, or a woliday?) Combining work and...