The charming village of Ste Valiere is surrounded by pretty vineyards, and gentle hills, close to the Canal du Midi, and is 20 minutes from the famed Cathar village of Minerve astride the deep river gorges of the Minervois.
Half an hour's drive are the towns of Béziers (cathedral, museums, flower market, bull fighting, shops) and Narbonne (cathedral, roman sites, Sunday market, shops), both within 10 minutes of Mediterranean beaches that seem to go on for ever. Magnificent castles can be seen at Carcassonne - world renowned for its medieval cité, Abbeys with angelic cloisters such as Fontfroide, near Narbonne and Lagrasse, set amongst the peaks of the Corbières; and Elne towards the magical seaside resort of Collioure conjure up spiritual and architectural resonance.