The medieval village of Alignan du Vent is located in the heart of the French wine country in Southern France. The village is surrounded by vineyards and the local wine co-operative is an easy stroll from the villa and here you can stock up on the local wines and delicacies. The village has a good range of local services including a butcher, boulangerie, bar-restaurant, pharmacy, hairdresser and a twice-weekly open market.

The nearby town of Pezenas is a beautiful town. It has over 70 historical buildings dating from the renaissance to the 18th century. Pezenas holds a market every Saturday morning which takes over the whole town. From mid-June through September it is the prefect venue for the festivals, concerts and art exhibitions.

On your way to the Mediterranean beaches, stop off at Agde. Founded by the Greeks, this bustling town overlooks the Herault River. It has its own harbour with lovely black basalt stone, good hotels and restaurant.

The Etang du Thau - 20km away - is one of the largest lagoons along the Mediterranean shore. Its fame lies with the oysters and mussels it produces. You can backtrack to Marseillan for an oyster lunch and to try their own aperitif, Noilly-Prat. Further up along the Etang is Meze, another fishing port and very popular destination for seafood.

Sete is France´s biggest Mediterranean fishing port. It is an attractive town laced with canals and many fish and seafood restaurants. You can pick up a boat tour back around the Bassin.