There is a large choice of paths and dirt roads in the
surroundings that can vary from a gentle stroll to a full days outing.
Below you can find a little selection of walks
that start from the house:
Boucle de St Etienne /4h
Sentier des aromates / 4h pour boucle ou 2h A/R
Olargues / 3h A/R
PR de Malvies / 5h
Pic de Naudech / 6h A/R
Four GR (long distance tracks) are in proximity
of "La Fumade":
The GR7, GR653
& GR71 cross the Espinouse
mountains from West to East along the lakes.
The GR77 goes
down the Espinouse through the Saut de Vezoles
and rises again onto the Avant-Monts through the site of Notre
Dame de Tredos.
Climbing
The Caroux (at a height of
1091 m), is renowned with climbers.The quality of the rock, the sheerness
of its cliffs and the outstanding views make it a worthwhile destination
in itself.
Kayaking
The canoeing base of Tarassac is situated only a 20 mins
drive away. Different routes on the Orb river are available to suit
beginners or more experienced individuals.
Gorges &
Orb Valley
Beneath the Caroux you find the impressive gorges of Héric,
Colombière & Madale.
They can be
easily explored on foot, have magnificient viewpoints and will
allow you to discover the wilderness that is characteristic of the Espinouse
montains.
Just next to the gorges you have the Orb
Valley. Dotted with beautiful villages (Vieussan, Roquebrun...)
in a land of sunbathed vineyards and olive trees, the valley ends in
Béziers where the Canal du Midi
passes through and the nine locks(classified
world heritage by
Unesco) are located.
Cave of "La
Devèze"
Situated in the village of Courniou 10 miles away, this
is one of the most astonishing caves in France called the "Palace
of the Glass spinner". There you can also visit the French
Museum of Caving, walk along the Botanical path and the Capitelles
path (sentier des Capitelles)
Swiming
LAKES
Only a half hour drive from the house you find the "plateau
des lacs" with three beautiful lakes: Laouzas
, Raviège and Vézole.
A wide range of activities like swimming, windsurfing, canoeing and
sailing is available unless you would simply prefer lying on a quiet
untouched beach on the Vézole lake.
MEDITERRANEE
The meditterannean beaches are only a 1 hour drive away.
Even in peak tourist season you can always find a spot on the 60 miles
of coastline. Fine sandy beaches, seaside resorts and natural reserves
with exceptional fauna and flora, the Herault coastline will not disappoint
you.
Villages
Many villages around are worth a visit. Here is a small
selection of them:
Riols and Fraisse
sur Agout have been awarded the title Villages in Bloom
Olargues and Minerve
are labelled France's loveliest villages
But Vieussan, Roquebrun, St Chinian and La Salvetat-sur-Agout
should also not be missed.
Vineyards &
wine cellars
The region of Languedoc Roussillon is one of the largest
vineyards of the world. We are surrounded by the AOC wines of Faugères
and Saint Chinian. Many wine cellars
organise wine tasting visits and sell directly to the public.
Museums
Musée de la Préhistoire-St Pons de Thommieres,
Musée de la Spéléologie- Courniou, Musée
des métiers d'antan et traditions populaires - St Etienne d'Albagnan,
Musée de la cloche et de la sonnaille - Hérépian...
Events
Fête du Mimosa-Roquebrun-Febbruary
/ Fête de la Chataigne - St Pons
de Thomieres - October / Marché Bio
- Olargues - August / Fête des Vins
- July - St Chinian...)