The Village and nearby:

Mirepeisset’s mediaeval ramparts still remain standing guard above the River Cesse. In the ancient language of Occitan (hence Langue d’Oc), Mirepeisset translates as “See the little fishes”.
A thriving, friendly community with a population of 550 in winter rising to 800 in summer, Mirepeisset is an excellent base to explore the area.

Mirepeisset has a general store (a two minute walk from Winemaker’s) providing all your basic needs including fresh bread and croissants and has one restaurant - La Garenne - on the banks of the River Cesse. A second restaurant  - Le Bistrot de la Placette - opened in the centre of the village in August 2022 and is proving very popular.

Mirepeisset is on the River Cesse and La Rigole - a small canal that links the river to the Canal du Midi - providing opportunities for beautiful walks, bike rides, swimming and fishing. There are excellent tennis courts and riding stables too.

Bicyles can be hired from Le Somail (www.lesvelosdusomail.com) 

Close by is the historic village of Le Somail on the Canal du Midi with several restaurants to choose from (as well as a wonderful old book shop!). L'O a la Bouche restaurant is particularly recommended.

In Ginestas – a larger village three kilometres away – you can find a bank, pharmacy and other restaurants.

A large Intermarche super market with 24/7 fuel is only 5 minutes’ drive away.

Further afield:

The ancient city of Narbonne is just a 15 km drive. Well worth a visit for its Roman road, cathedral, canal and famous covered market. Beziers is also within easy reach.

Other weekly markets abound in towns and villages in the area. Olonzac and St Chinian are two of the best.

Carcassonne is a favourite destination with its old fortified city that has starred in many a film. It is an easy 40 minute drive.

Also highly recommended is a visit to nearby Minerve, an ancient Cathar stronghold (with a particularly good restaurant - Le Relais Chantovent). The Abbey of Fontfroide is also well worth going to see.

The Mediterranean is only 30-40 minutes away and there are several great beaches within easy reach - Gruissan, Narbonne Plage, La Franqui and Leucate to name but a few. See creme de languedoc site. Or try lakes and rivers if that is more your thing.

For the slightly more adventurous there is kayaking in Roquebrun on the River Orb. (This is highly recommended from personal experience) as well as white water rafting in the Pyrenees.

Another must see are the Cathar Castles. Quiberus and Peyrepertuse are two spectacular examples and are an hour or so away.

Let's not forget the wine. Languedoc Roussillon is the single biggest wine producing area in the world with many famous names - Fitou, Minervois, Corbieres and St Chinian to mention just a few. Mirepeisset has its own domain - Les Herbes Saintes - and many more are within easy reach. If a professional wine tasting tour/session appeals then visit tastedulanguedocwinetours.com where you can book a wine tour or arrange a personal session at your Gite. Click here for more info about the Occitanie's wine and the immediate area.

How to get here:

By Air:
There is a wide choice of airports that serve the area.

Here are some of the budget and regular services available from the UK:
- Beziers/Cap d’Agde: 50 kms (40 minutes) away, Ryan Air from Luton
- Carcassonne: 56 kms (45 minutes) away, Ryan Air from Stansted and East Midlands
- Perpiganan: 78 kms (60 minutes) away, Ryan Air from Stansted and Birmingham
- Montpellier: 105 kms (70 minutes) away, Easy Jet from London Gatwick or Luton
- Toulouse: 153 kms (90 minutes) away, British Airways and Easy Jet from London Heathrow

Airline web sites:

UK
www.ryanair.com
www.easyjet.com
www.ba.com
www.cheapflights.co.uk

USA
www.cheapflights.com

By Train:
Eurostar/TGV from London direct to Avignon. Change for Narbonne

Or

You can put your car on the train in Paris and have it taken all the way to Narbonne