A few kilometres from the town of Clermont l’Hérault lies the huge Lake Salagou,extending to 750 hectares.Created between 1964 and 1969,this artificial lake set in magnificent countryside  provides the setting for any number of watersports,sailing,windsurfing,parasailing,kayaking,and of course swimming.Even in the height of summer the numerous creeks around the lake are uncrowded and provide perfect picnic [...]

Summer has at last arrived,a little late this year,and it is hot, hot.Friends with holiday homes here arrive,grey and exhausted from their hectic lives in England,to recharge their batteries.The summer routine quickly establishes itself, a few friends over for lunch  after a quick dip in the pool,now 25°C which is just about ideal:soon it may [...]

To the  Chateau de Cassan to watch a performance by the celebrated Russian pianist Nataliya Morozowa playing works by  Bach,Chopin,Borodine,Liszt and Balakirev.Nataliya plays with great skill,passion,and spirit,an electrifying performance.She has that star quality which is a combination,of beauty,elegance,and huge stage presence.We are indeed lucky that every summer she returns  to our little corner of paradise [...]

On some house hunting business to Marseillan, a small harbour on the Etang de Thau where the oysters are grown to the delight of all those who like feasting on this mollusc(not me!).As I sat in a café on the harbour  I reflected on how lucky we are to be able to jump into a car [...]

The Priory of St.Michael of Grandmont stands on a bluff high above the town of Lodève with stunning views across the plain to the sea.
Successive civilizations have left their mark from a neolithic ritual site (3000-5000B.C.),Gallo-Roman remains,Visigothic tombs(600A.D.) to the  Priory of Grandmont itself, built in the 12th century.
The founder of this order was Etiennne [...]

Although I love the heat of summer,this is a glorious time of year when everything bursts into vigorous new life and the valley breaks out into fresh verdant colour.
My neighbour’s cherry tree which fortuitously overhangs my garden is heavy with blossom.Last year a heavy rainstorm tore all the blossom from the trees,and the luscious cherries [...]

One of the most remarkable features about France is the way in which the  tourist authorities of the regions promote their advantages and facilities. None does this better than the department of the Hérault.I have just been given a  memory stick(Can you get one of these that you plug into your brain? Maybe not quite [...]

Shopping down here is a bit of an adventure because opening hours tend to be ,shall we say,flexible.Most supermarkets are open during the week from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. but some shut for lunch from 12-2.p.m,as do almost all other shops. Some shops are closed on Monday having been open on Saturday,which is quite [...]

Today for the first time this year we sat out on the terrace,just a group of good friends, enjoying the sunshine ,the companionship, the stunning local landscape, a cool glass of white wine to hand. Then we went in to a delicious lunch of duck breast and our host put on a disc the first [...]

March 21st is officially the first day of Spring, and also my daughter’s birthday. It has been a long winter,a time to curl up with a good book in front of the log stove, or take bracing walks along the deserted beaches or over the hills, admiring the magnificent landscape that surrounds you on all [...]