November can be nice
Our view of Marseillan in the Autumn
November in our part of the World can be rather nice.
Whilst parts of northern Europe are starting to shiver as temperatures plummet, and our British cousins watch the endless rain and wonder whether they will develop webbed feet, we still enjoy mild temperatures and pleasant sunny days.
There might not be many tourists visiting the town, but we still see familiar faces as second-home owners come to "put the house to bed" for the winter. It is also a time for couples no longer tied to school holiday schedules to come and relax at the mellow harbour-front cafes or stroll the almost desserted beaches.
What's not to like about Marseillan in Autumn?
As such a convenient central location from which to visit the characterful towns of Beziers and Montpellier, enjoying the off-season uncrowded streets of these popular cities ... we invite you to book an Autumn Mini-break with us. Come and soak up the authentic atmosphere of any number of historic towns, less than one hour's drive from your Marseillan base, and visit sights which have graced the area since Roman times, or even earlier.
Flamingos go; flamingos return.
No mention of Autumn would be complete without mentioning the return of these awkward but endearing birds to the Etang. Some flamingos migrate to and from Africa, some do not travel nearly so far - only to northern Europe. We cannot say where this bunch have passed their summer months, but we're happy to welcome them back for as long as they like to stay.
The males have strongly coloured deep red feathers on the underside of their wings when attracting a mate. Being "loyal" to the partners for only one year before changing, we can perhaps understand why "swingers" feel a connection to these gregarious, loudly-honking birds!
Montpellier side streets hold all sorts of secrets and we love to browse the little shops for unusual bargains. The main boulevards hold the more fancy shops, with incredible designer watches and jewellery - at some pretty incredible prices!
But there's something for everyone in Montpellier, with its fascinating history etched in the marble paved walkways. And her reputation as a centre for medical excellence stretching back over the centuries still draws top medical students to her prestigious university halls today.
Which explains Montpellier's lively young vibe, creating a happy "buzz" in the numerous cafes, bars and restaurants adding colour equally to shopping streets and leafy squares.
And how does the beauty of Beziers compare? Well you really need to visit and draw your own conclusions ...
We love Beziers Cathedral, her splendid town hall, her freshly renovated central square with dancing fountains, her ancient buildings, and her bridges arching over the River Herault. She has the unrivalled heritage of Paul Riquet, her favourite son and the innovative designer of "les neuf ecluses" - the Nine Locks - which carry long boats up, or down, to continue their journey on the Canal du Midi.
The Canal du Midi is an old trading route that joins the port of Bordeaux on the West Coast of France to the Mediterranean on the South Coast. Marseillan is proud to welcome the entry point of the Canal, at the west side of L'Etang du Thau. Exiting the Etang at Sete in the East, the canal thus joins the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. This link was a significant factor in establishing the wealth of Marseillan, as important shipments of wine were transported to our cousins on the West Coast, and beyond.
Let the pictures do the rest of the talking ...
