The prestigious Caves Byrrh is one of the pillars of France’s industrial heritage. 

Byrrh is a kind of vermouth aperitif, created in 1866 in Thuir by the Violet brothers, Pallade and Simon. The recipe is based, of course, on the wines of Roussillon and Malaga, which are combined with cinchona, coffee, cocoa and spices. Although the new museum tour naturally focuses on how Byrrh is produced, it also examines the beverage’s extraordinary journey across the twentieth century, from a medicinal remedy to a brand of aperitif with a global reputation. A mix of new technology and impressive period pieces helps tell the story. You'll see, among other things, the world’s largest oak casks (with a capacity of over one million litres), a majestic kiosk dating from 1891, and assorted advertising posters from the turn of the last century. The Byrrh brand slowly fell into disuse after World War II, what a history!

Tips nearby: 

L'Ancienne Ecole: In Palau del Vidre, 20 km south of Perpignan, with a warm and typically Catalan atmosphere. Fine local cuisine that is visually pleasing, ranging from traditional to more creative dishes. The products are fresh and of high quality, and the menu tailored to the seasons. A fine establishment indeed.

Mas Latour Lavail: In Perpignan, near the city centre, with three bedrooms and two guest suites with views of the vineyard. The individualised decoration is based on the world of wine. Quality amenities: hammam, Jacuzzi, massage, outdoor pool and a wooded garden. An ideal stay for a couple or small family.

It's eight in the morning, the kids have already come in and jumped up and down on your bed, your eyes are still itchy and you have no idea of where you’re going to go out for the day. Don’t worry about it! Today’s going to be "keep calm and canoe" day! From 10 o’clock, the Thau lagoon (situated between Montpellier and Cap d'Adge) organises out-of-the-ordinary canoe trips for all the family so you can meet the lagoon’s oyster farmers.

Because, in case you didn’t know, oysters are also produced in the Mediterranean. Squeeze up the children (there’s a maximum of two adults and two children per boat) and go for a jaunt across this small inland sea criss-crossed by oyster beds. Take a break at one of the oyster farms, where they’ll take the time to tell you all about the different methods for raising oysters, including the subterfuges used for replicating the tides and fooling the little creatures. The tasting will, inevitably, be accompanied by a small glass of local wine, Frontignan or Mireval muscat, Picpoul de Pinet or Grès de Montpellier. On the way back, give the paddles to the kids… then, maybe, they’ll wake up a bit later tomorrow... or maybe not.

Tips nearby: 

Auberge de l'Abbaye de Valmagne: In Villeveyrac, 25 minutes northwest of Sète, this vineyard restaurant and inn belongs to the Domaine de l'Abbaye. The produce is picked from the estate’s organic kitchen garden and the supply chain for the meats and cheeses is short. They serve simple, modern food that does just the trick in a superb environment.

Le Château Rieutort: Four kilometres from Saint-Pargoire, and 12 km from Pézenas, this "Little Versailles in the Hérault” boasts five guest rooms and six gîtes (for 2 to 8 people) housed in an 18th century building. The setting is exceptional, with a park of 2.5 hectares and vineyards of 30 hectares. The amenities are very good: two outdoor pools (including one for nude bathing), a barbecue, communal lounge, pool table, table football and bicycles.

Le Petit Comptoir is one of the favourite restaurants for local foodies.

But there’s nothing flamboyant about the place: it has a relaxed bistro atmosphere from the 1960s — just like the boss, Camille Pastoret. And the same goes for the food: no frills but real gourmet stuff using the cream of the region’s products. Choice dishes include: truffle risotto, roasted blonde de Galice with thyme, whole wild turbot, duck fillet in a foie gras sauce, followed by the chef’s signature dessert, crêpe soufflé with mandarin caramel. The wine at Le Petit Comptoir doesn’t hide its light under a bushel, either. The restaurant's wine bar, under the direction of Camille, offers a broad and well-chosen spectrum of regional wines. And don’t forget that, like the restaurant, the balance between quality and price is just right. In short, we are confident about this place. During the summer, Camille also takes over the reins at Souquet's, an upscale barbecue restaurant in the Massif de la Clape. Two fine establishments indeed...

Tips nearby: 

La Table de Fontfroide: At the entrance to the Abbaye de Fontfroide, 15 km from Narbonne. A cosy vaulted room with modern Mediterranean cuisine that is both elegant and fresh. The extensive wine list leans towards Corbières, especially wines produced at the abbey. There is a very nice terrace for the fine weather.

Le Domaine de Viala: In Paraza, 20 km northwest of Narbonne, this superb gîte has seven or eight rooms for up to 20 people. It is a special setting in a vineyard from the 18th century alongside the Canal du Midi with a wonderful panoramic view. The amenities are excellent, with wide shaded terraces, a barbecue, a large table under a pergola, and a private, protected pool with beach and fountain.

Located on the third terrace of the Lot, Le Clos d'un Jour was taken over several years ago by Stéphane and Véronique Azémar.

"When we moved to Clos d'un Jour in Duravel in 2000, there was no way we wanted any vintages marked by the flavour wooden barrels. Our research led us to be innovative, ageing the wine in ceramic jars, which means it can oxygenate without the wood aromas." And so was born the vintage Un Jour sur Terre — “One Day on Earth" — 100% Malbec, the appellation’s original grape variety. Stéphane and Véronique apply this technically sound approach to the entire wine-making circuit: they refrain from any chemical treatment and put Ouessant dwarf sheep to work clipping the vines. So, the wine has a concentrated, fruity and wood-free taste in the mouth. This is an adventurous explorer-certified visit, and is only 40 minutes west of Cahors!

Tips nearby: 

La Table de Haute-Serre: This restaurant, housed in an old winery, is based in Cieurac in the Château de Haute-Serre, five minutes from Cahors. While the decoration is a contemporary mix of wood and metal, the food is a mix of bistro and gastronomic, with novel interpretations of traditional recipes using produce from the Lot terroir. It is one of the area’s best establishments.

Hostellerie Le Vert: In Marroux, 30 minutes east of Villeneuve sur Lot, housed in an old winery from the 17th century. There are four cosy bedrooms upstairs in the large house and two rooms made from natural Lot stone in the farm tenant’s house with a terrace or garden area. The setting is peaceful and natural, and gourmet cuisine is served in the restaurant.

It’s not the most obvious of ideas, it’s true, so we thought we’d just slip it in there to see how you react… What about a small cruise-cum-bike tour in the Bordeaux region?

In fact, the concept couldn’t be simpler. You hop on the MS Bordeaux, stash your bags in one of the fifty cabins, store your bike in the hold — and off you go! Anchors aweigh! The boat sails along the river at night, while you cruise the lanes on your bike during the day. What’s on the itinerary? Well, a few turns of the pedal will take you through the vineyards of Bordeaux, along the Garonne and into the Gironde estuary. To say there is plenty to do would be something of an understatement: the Entre Deux Mers, Sauternes, Médoc, Saint-Emilion — over the course of a week you’ll cover 220 km more or less. And you can recover from it all in your cabin, with roughly the same level of comfort as a hotel room (shower, toilet, air conditioning and satellite TV) plus a different view every morning! And trust us, that soon becomes something you look forward to! In the evening, you eat locally in the restaurant on the promenade deck, with the sun setting over the horizon as you knock back some fine wine before heading off to the land of nod… because tomorrow it will be more of the same pleasures.

Tips nearby: 

L’Atelier de Candale: At Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, 10 minutes from Saint-Emilion. A bistro in the château of Candale with refined, modern cuisine: braised ribs and vine shoots, poached cod in cockles à la nage... Also a fine selection of local wines and stunning views over the vineyards from the terrace.

Le Logis de la Cadène: In Saint-Emilion in the mediaeval town, with three bedrooms and two restrained and cosy suites. Located directly next-door, the Maison Cadène has four suites with warm, wooden furniture and old, restored floors. Gourmet food is served at the Logis. The Maison Cadène has a billiard table, spa, library and garden.

Prenons la route pour un peu d’exploration et un peu d’œnologie! Nous partons pour le Pays Basque, le domaine mourguy à Ispoure pour être précis.

Ils produisent ici Irouléguy depuis l’Antiquité, un vin qui provient de l’un des plus petits vignobles de toute la France. Bien que le climat local se prête assez bien à la culture de la vigne, on ne peut pas en dire autant de la terre elle-même. Il faut beaucoup de passion et d’abnégation pour travailler sur les raisins Tannat, Cabernet Franc et Cabernet Sauvignon cultivés dans des parcelles en terrasses à plus de 600 m d’altitude et sur des pentes allant jusqu’à 60%. Passez quelques jours dans la maison familiale des Mourguys, et leur amour pour leurs racines – à la fois littérales et métaphoriques – sera bientôt clair à voir. Inutile de dire que la vue depuis les chambres d’hôtes est impressionnante. Pierre et Florence, propriétaires et vignerons, élèvent également des ânes : ils se feront un plaisir de vous les prêter pour une balade dans les majestueuses collines environnantes parsemées de vignes afin que vous puissiez soulager votre dos et les membres inconstants de vos enfants. C’est calme ici, c’est relaxant, et c’est à seulement cinq minutes de Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Conseils à proximité:

Hôtel Les Pyrénées : Cet hôtel quatre étoiles, situé dans le centre de Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, est affilié aux Châteaux et Hôtels de Collection. C’est un relais de poste rénové avec des chambres contemporaines, dont certaines donnent sur le village et la citadelle. Vous trouverez également un restaurant étoilé au guide Michelin servant des produits frais et une cuisine raffinée.

Clos Mirabel: Un superbe manoir modernisé du 18ème siècle à Jurançon situé dans un parc privé de six hectares. Le Clos Mirabel, situé entre mer et montagne, dispose de cinq gîtes et de six chambres d’hôtes haut de gamme. Il bénéficie d’une vue exceptionnelle sur les Pyrénées, et est l’endroit idéal pour les familles ou les couples. Le bon endroit, en bref, pour toutes les saisons.

There’s no stopping the imagination of the people who design unusual accommodation. We’ve had tree houses, bubbles, caravans and igloos… and now they want us to sleep in huge wine barrels! On the other hand, perhaps it all makes perfect sense in Burgundy, which is so famous for its fine wines.

In any case, this is the out-of-the ordinary experience that the Clos du Grand Bois has in store for you: spending the night in one of five large barrels positioned at the entrance to the wine estate in the village of Lugny. Although the idea may seem slightly hare-brained at first sight, it quickly works its charms thanks to the sweet woody smell and the undeniable cocooning effect – not to mention the sounds of nature playing in the background. Then, when you wake up, there’s a mesmerising spectacle and world-beating views: the Saône valley and the Jura foothills to the east; the Brinchamp plateau clothed entirely in vineyards to the north; and the celebrated Mâconnais hills to the northwest. And the Lafarge family will give you the warmest of welcomes at the Clos du Grand Bois. If you ask Anthony, he’ll take you on a tour of the estate and wine cellars where you can savour a selection of Mâconnais wines – white, red and sparkling – including the Domaine Joseph Lafarge cuvée that they have just begun producing on the estate.

The Champagne Route’s different trails allow visitors to explore the region’s exceptional wine making and historic heritage.

The Chanoine Rambert estate is just 2 km from La Roque-sur-Cèze, one of France’s most beautiful villages.

It’s the ideal venue for the adventurous explorer, of that we’re 100% convinced. It’s unassuming in the extreme, its sophistication lying in its simplicity and a job well done. It’s a family business, too, with three generations producing Grenaches, Syrahs, Roussannes and Viogniers in a typically Provençal setting. The welcome offered by Bernard and Guislaine is universally hailed, as is the stroll from their estate to the waterfalls at Sautadet, where you can enjoy a never-to-be-forgotten dip. Bernard’s Côtes du Rhône whites, reds and rosés are highly representative of the region… meaning that it’s impossible to leave empty-handed after a tasting, especially as none of the wines costs more than € 10. And, if you ever want to extend your stay on the estate, Guislaine provides guest rooms in an eighteenth century farmhouse with breakfast from the farm (homemade bread and yoghurt, farm eggs and fruit from the garden). It's an adventure on a gently sloping estate.

Tips nearby: 

O Pas Sage: In Bagnols-sur-Cèze, 25 km west of Orange, this wine bar and bistro-style restaurant serves simple, expertly cooked dishes, Mediterranean tapas (grilled eggplant, cod fritters), a dish of local, fresh produce (including duck gizzards and dried duck breast). You can also enjoy an extensive wine list, a sunny terrace and very good value for money!

Established more than two hundred years ago in the Rhône Valley, Maison M. Chapoutier produces the greatest wines.

Since 2009 Chapoutier’s very own École des Vins has been running wine courses, with the tasting workshops intended for the general public, focusing on carefully-chosen, fun themes. Top picks are Wine and Chocolate in partnership with Valrhona (the premium chocolate manufacturer); Wine and Cheeses with the backing of a local cheese merchant; and the best-selling Wines and BBQs, which could be pretty useful with summer on the horizon. Having said that, what we’d really recommend in your case (without wanting to over-inflate your ego) is the monthly workshop. These sessions, which are longer and aimed at a higher level, are based on scrutinising regions, such as Rhône and Burgundy, or reflecting on more advanced subjects, such as the day devoted to Wine and the Sea. In any case, the workshops always start with a tasting in the company of the sommelier (and, depending on the theme, a lecture by an expert), followed by lunch with suitable pairings of food and wine at the M. Chapoutier’s table d’hôte, finishing off with a tour of the Hermitage vine plots.

Tips nearby: 

Vineum Jaboulet: Based in the town of Tain L’Hermitage on Place du Taurobole, this is a wine cellar and bar as well as being the restaurant of the Domaines Paul Jaboulet Ainé. Expect fresh, seasonal and local products with old-fashioned cooking and traditional dishes revisited by the chef or a casserole dish of the week. It’s a tasty little number, Vineum Jaboulet.

Hôtel de la Villéon: In Tournon-sur-Rhône, opposite Tain l’Hermitage on the other bank of the Rhône. This charming, four-star hotel is a listed building dating back to the eighteenth century. It has 12 luxurious rooms and four suites. The setting is romantic, the decoration a mix of tradition and modernity. The services are high-end, and there is a bar and tasting cellar, not to mention hanging gardens with fine views over the Hermitage vineyards.