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A helpful read
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...
The village winery – Domaine Lou Colombier
The village winery - Domaine Lou Colombier is a secret treasure situated at the top of Montouliers. And we now offer wine tastings from the comfort of La Calade, including at least 6 wines and some local nibbles or if you prefer you can head up the hill to the Domaine...
What is Bastille Day?
What is Bastille Day? The French call it le quatorze juillet (the 14th of July) or la Fête Nat (short for Fête Nationale) as it's France’s National Day. It is a day to celebrate and remember the beginning of the French Revolution, following the storming of...
The Sound of Cicadas
The Sound of Cicadas I love the sound of cicadas - for me it signifies the start summer. When the evenings are light until 10pm and the days are too hot to do much more than laze by the pool or head off to the beach. But that's because I'm lucky enough to live in the...
A Day Out In Assignan
A Day Out in Assignan is a must when you're staying at La Calade. Assignan lies in the heartland of the Saint-Chinian AOC vineyards. It enjoys a calm and unspoilt setting just 7km from La Calade. Plans to create a real 'wine tourism village' finally materialised in...
Why Choose La Calade for your Post-Lockdown Holiday
As we are slowly starting to emerge from our lockdown lives, I'm sure that many of you are looking forward to a change of scenery, looking to get away for a relaxing mini-break or a week away from it all to recharge the batteries. I know I certainly am! But even...
Languedoc-Roussillon Wine Guide
What is Languedoc-Roussillon famous for? Cathar Castles The Pyrenees Beautiful French-Roman villages Beaches sprawling along its Mediterranean coastline But today it is best known for its vineyards, which produce one third of France's wine. Hence the idea for this...
Eating Out in Languedoc
Eating out in Languedoc in some of the wonderful restaurants near La Calade It's been hard work, but someone had to do it! Here at La Calade Bed and Breakfast we have taken a little time to seek out some of the best places for eating out in Languedoc. If we haven't...
Spring has arrived
I went for a lovely stroll with Theo in his buggy this afternoon and noticed that Spring is definitely springing here! And to top it off, it was a balmy 20 degrees (in February?!) The vine clipping is in full swing The almond trees are bursting into blossom And the...
Blue Monday ?
On this Blue Monday here’s a few reminders of what La Calade and Montouliers look like in the summer to cheer everyone up!
Fete de l’olivier Bize Minervois (oh and a little wine tasting!)
Bize Minervois is our neighbouring village that every year celebrates the olive harvest and industry. In days gone by people would travel by train to rush to Bize for the cool waters of the river Cesse, which flows through it and it's famous olives. These days the...
Drone photos of La Calade by Hamish.
Some cool air borne shots by Hamish. Thank you.