The must-sees of Mireval and Vic-la-Gardiole
Presentation
Mireval and Vic-la-Gardiole are full of treasures to discover during your stay: the Aresquiers wood; the Aresquiers beach; the Belle Dame estate... To help you with your programme, we've put together a list of must-sees with a little bonus!
Vic-la-Gardiole
Nature and adventure are on the agenda for your day in Vic-la-Gardiole and its surroundings. There is no shortage of ideas for walks from the old village.
You can choose to walk or cycle 9 km along the Vic and Ingril ponds, enjoy hiking in the magnificent pine woods of Les Aresquiers or swap your walking stick for your swimming costume on the beach of the same name.
The Aresquiers wood
Between the lagoons of Vic-la-Gardiole and Ingril, this time we propose a more leisurely hike on 9 km of paths laid out in the Aresquiers wood, on the edge of the sea and along the salt pans.
Lulled by the song of the cicadas and the smell of resin in the pine forest, you can see the typical vegetation of the Archipelago during this easy walk. Particularly popular in spring and autumn, this path also has the particularity of offering a surprising panorama of the typical birds of the region that nest here, whether ephemerally or not: flamingos, warblers, owls, cuckoos, herons, little egrets, storks...
Be careful, however, as the place should be avoided in case of strong winds.
Mireval
Its name means "which looks down on the valley" and gives you a taste of the quality of the panorama from the balconies of the old town.
Mireval, once a pied-à-terre of the powerful lords of Montpellier, has a tangible medieval character, which you will enjoy discovering as you walk along the ramparts or through the fortified gates.
However, the town's bellicose past is only a distant memory... The sound of armour has long since been replaced by the clinking of bottles of wine and muscatel wine, of which the town is a famous representative.
The Domaine de la Belle Dame
Speaking of Muscat, this sweet wine of international renown, go to the Domaine de la Belle Dame in Mireval to enjoy a sweet interlude in the middle of the vines.
Jean-Luc Mazas, owner since 1996, invites you to venture out between the Gardiole massif and the Mediterranean Sea to discover his vineyard, which is certified Organic Agriculture.
On the spot, he will be delighted to tell you his story and that of his property, and then to offer you his various services: themed meals, caravan hire in the vineyards, tapas evenings, etc. And what better way to whet your appetite than to let you taste his Muscat (sweet and dry), his rosé (sweet and dry), his red (silky) and his white (dry) wines free of charge?
You can even keep a souvenir of your visit such as olive oil, tapenade, soap and body milk made from donkey milk, lavender, traditional biscuits made from chestnut flour... In his shop.
Tip: Gourmet walks are organised in the various wine estates of the Thau Archipelago from April to October.
The Archipelago of Thau
This top of the must-sees had a taste of too little? Here is a little bonus to extend your escape in one of the 14 communes of our destination: Balaruc-le-Vieux, Balaruc-les-Bains, Bouzigues, Frontignan, Gigean, Loupian, Marseillan, Mèze, Mireval, Montbazin, Poussan, Sète, Vic-la-Gardiole and Villeveyrac...
