The Wine Cave Co-operative
One of the charms of this southern French village is the Chateau de Ventenac Wine Cave located a few yards from our gates. In 1938 the Caveau was taken over by the local winegrowers, who formed a cave co-opérative to make and sell wines using grapes from the rich vineyards around the village. The co-operative still makes wine, winning prizes for its rich reds and (unusually for the region) its characterful white. We tend to drink the wine box of red wine for every day drinking at 10 euros for 5 litres. The oak aged reds from 2004 are very good at the moment and the unusual lightly oaked white at under 9 euros is particularly good

Village Restaurants
The village offers a choice of 2 fine restaurants with a wide menu selection and informal dining. Lou Coustellou is open all year, La Grillade du Chateau only opens from easter until October as most of its seating is outdoors. Both offer a range of grills, salads, pizzas and local dishes.

Bakery
Open every day our little village bakery is a thriving business and a place where the locals often gathe for a chat, to buy the local papers, have coffee and a croissant. The bread is good and the pastries delicious!! Maria also sells a variety of basic food items if you don’t have time to get to the supermarket e.g. butter, juice, long life milk, eggs, ham etc. She does ready meals too!

Post Office
Our little post office is open for a couple of hours most days. Opening hours displayed on the door…as they change regularly!! There is a post box outside the Post Office with regular collections.

Mobile Market Vans
Another fantastic treat is the mobile market vans, which come to the village 2-3 times a week selling local, fresh produce. We have several greengrocers, a chicken van, a deli van, and in the summer various other vans selling everything from tomatoes to shoes. The arrival of these vabs is announced by the Mairie over the loudspeaker system, which is a feature of villages in this part of France.

Playground
Within a few minutes from our front door you will find a playground ideal for small children.

Boules Pitt
Sharpen your skills on the local boules pitt.

Neighbouring Villages
The villages of Canet, Ginestas, St Nazaire, Paraza and Roubia are all within a 5 minute drive and offer more conveniences such as supermarkets, boulangeries, general stores, tabacs, cafés, bars and restaurants.

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Restaurants
In addition to the two village restaurants you might like to try other nearby restaurants. Some of our favourites include:
Paraza – Café du Port
Ginestas – Anais
Le Somail – Le Comptoir Nature, L’O de la Bouche
Narbonne – Meli melo
Aignes – La Cagarol
Homps – En Bonne Compagnie
And for a special treat we go to La Bastide Cabezac next door to the Chateau Cabezac Winery just 10-15 mins away.
Details about these restaurants can be found in our Visitors Handbook.

Shopping
Lezignan Corbieres is a nearby small town, only 15-minutes away with a traditional French market open on Wednesday mornings. Many local villages have regular markets and we keep a list at the Chateau to help you plan your shopping trips. For general supplies we use the little Casino supermarket in Canet – just 5 mins away. For bigger shops there is a wide choice of Intermarche and Carrefour supermarkets all within a 20 minute drive.
There is a great selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and traditional French markets at Narbonne, Narbonne Plage and Carcassonne. Go to the sightseeing section for more details on these towns.

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Sightseeing

CANAL DU MIDI – UNESCO World Heritage Site -“a work of art”
The Canal du Midi is a beautiful and natural environment excellent for leisure and sporting activities for your family or group vacation. Fun activities include boating, walking or cycling along the towpath. Refer to the ‘Sport’ section for more details on boat and bike rentals. It is possible to walk or cycle for miles along the canal with many wonderful sights along the way

CARCASSONNE – UNESCO World Heritage Site
This famous medieval city is what fairytales and legends are made of. Carcassonne is a “must see” ancient citadel to include on your holiday in the Languedoc region. Only approx. 35km away or an easy 20 minute train ride to Carcassonne from the railway station just 12 mins away at Lezignan Corbieres. Carcassonne is a perfect day trip for history buffs, family holidays, romantic dates, shopping for a classic souvenir or authentic French cuisine.

NARBONNE –One of the Biggest Roman Capital Provinces’ Circa: 1st Century BC
Today Narbonne is an enchanting mid-sized market town with an awesome cathedral and traditional French marketplace. Narbonne is ideal for shopping, restaurants and the café lifestyle whilst on your self catering holiday in the South of France. Historians and lover’s of heritage architecture will get a kick out of an original Roman Road running through the town square. Located about 20 minutes away from our Holiday Home.

MINERVE
This former Cathar village is located bout 25minutes north of our holiday house.
Enter the city through the spectacular archway of Porte des Templiers and cross the two ancient bridges - Le Grand Pont and Le Petit Pont. Here you can discover more about the history of the bloody seven-week siege of Simon de Montfort against the Cathars.

ABBEY de FONTFROIDE – Benedictine Monastery
This is a glorious example of restored Cistercian Architecture and today produces wine from the Corbieres region. Located only half an hour away this beautiful Abbey is also a perfect location for fine French dining.

CATHAR CASTLES - Château de Peyrepertuse
Approximately 1 hour and 25-minute drive into Corbieres and Ariege you will find one of the most exciting Cathar fortress ruins. Chateau de Peyrepertuse holds medieval shows during July and August. 

MEDITERANEAN BEACHES – NARBONNE PLAGE & GRUISSON PLAGE
The Languedoc coast on the Mediterranean Sea is located less than 40-minutes away and is ideal for family day trips to the beach.

Narbonne Plage is a child friendly, family resort perfect for children with plenty of restaurants, bars and shopping.

Gruissan Plage is a Trendy resort village, with unique chalet architecture, and great for windsurfing.

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SPORT

GOLF
There is n excellent 18 Hole golf course at Sainte Rose just 20kms away with a driving range, club house, restaurant, pro shop and putting green is open everyday There are also 18 hole courses at Carcassonne, Beziers and south towards Perpignan. Details are kept at the Chateau.

TENNIS
An easy walk or 5minute bike ride will get you to our local tennis courts at Canet. Just pop into the Tabac to book your slot.

Watersports
Just 15 mins away is the Lac de Jouarres with sailing and watersports and a little man made beach. Great fun for the kids.
Kayak on the Canal du Midi or visit nearby Mediterranean beaches for ocean swims, windsurfing or kite surfing. Only a 45minute drive from the Chateau to Narbonne Plage or Gruisson Plage.

WALKING
This family holiday home is the perfect base for walking or cycling expeditions along the towpath of the Canal du Midi and around the countryside. For more adventurous holiday hiking there are many pilgrim paths to be explored through the Pyrenees, only one-hour drive from our villa. We keep a supply of maps and walking guides at the Chateau to help you plan your holiday…although you won’t be able to do it all I’m afraid!!

Climbing
Amazing cliffs at Caunes Minervois are waiting to be conquered. There are approximiately160 different climbs on 3 different cliffs facing South, East and West. You will find these rock faces at Notre Dame du Cros, located approx. 35km from our gite.

CYCLING
The Chateau can organise a local bike rental service to deliver and collect the velos once you have finished. Alternatively you can rent bicycles at Narbonne Plage to explore the Mediterranean coast. Bike rental options are available in most French town centres.

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