3 days in the Languedoc
Having recently launched our Meriski Partnerships platform and introduced the idyllic Château St Pierre de Serjac, it only seemed fitting that we tested out the Château experience for you! We swapped our office desks on a glum Monday morning in Cirencester for the rustic landscape of the stunning Languedoc region and a late February short-break! Here is a little snippet of what we got up to and how you could spend your days whilst staying at the Château;
We flew out from Gatwick around midday (£157 return for 3 of us, excluding luggage) and after a swift flight time of just under an hour and a half, we arrived into Montpellier airport. The best way to explore this region is by car, so we hired a car from the airport, with Vicki drawing the driving short straw! After just over an hour’s drive and a few sat nav special ‘short cuts’, (slightly off the beaten track!) we spotted the Château’s distinct features peeping through the trees. The long driveway, dotted with perfectly aligned trees, led the way to the Château, where parking is plentiful. Greeted in the charming hotel reception, we were shown to our wonderful 3-bedroom villa, arriving just in time to witness the sensational sunset across the horizon of the beautiful vineyards. We ate at a small restaurant in the local town of Béziers; a typical French town with a big market square, which would lend itself to a bustling environment during the summer months, just 30 minutes from the Château.
Day 2: After a fabulous night’s sleep (the beds and linen are so luxurious!) we made the short stroll to the restaurant to have breakfast. We were served a superb continental spread including fresh pastries, fruit, cheese and yoghurt, along with fresh orange juice and tea/coffee. After fuelling for the day, we were given a guided tour of the impressive estate which comprises of 36 self-catered properties, 17 of which have a private pool, a 30m outdoor heated infinity pool (complete with a vast number of sun-loungers!), a spa, a tennis court and the 8-roomed charismatic hotel building itself, where the restaurant and bar are located. Cote Mas was the recommendation for our lunch spot, an amazing restaurant located on the Paul Mas estate. We chose from the table d’hôte, which boasted an array of inspiring and elegant dishes. We weren’t planning on having desserts but as the next table were served theirs, we couldn’t resist! If you prefer to have a big lunch and just a few nibbles back at your villa for dinner, this restaurant is a great choice, just 45 mins from the estate. En-route back to the Château, we fancied a post-lunch stroll so we headed to the nearby town of Pézenas. Although, we quickly changed our minds due to it being Mardis Gras and many teenagers finding great humour in throwing eggs and flour over each other! We retired back to the Château and relaxed amongst utter tranquillity in the spa, complete with a steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and heated indoor pool. You can also use the micro gym and book a treatment here too. As Meriski clients, you will receive complimentary access to the spa facilities (normally €18pppd).
Day 3; Our flight wasn’t until 3pm so we had the morning to explore a little more, so we headed to the coast. Our first stop was Marseillan, a typically authentic French coastal town with a beach and a perfectly placed port, lined with boats, restaurants and cafes – a must for an early evening drink after a day at the beach. En-route to Montpellier airport, we parked up, sea-side, in the town of Sète. Albeit, we weren’t quite in the right spot (we realised this as we drove out and saw a huge marina!) but we did see an expansive stretch of sand, backed with sand dunes. We managed to soak up a few hours of bright sunshine before we headed back to Montpellier airport.
The Château really does provide the perfect base to explore this simply stunning region whilst providing the ultimate relaxation spot if you want to escape for a rural retreat. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with one of our sales team for more information.