Find the real South of France by flying to Béziers

Béziers is less than an hour-and-a-half from Southampton International Airport on Flybe.

Once there you’ll find stunning beaches – the largest you can imagine – the most the most exquisite wine, delicious food, plenty of history and friendly laid-back people.

Béziers is an impressive town that predates Roman times and can be found in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Being close to the Spanish boarder it should come as no surprise that the town indulges in bullfighting.

Béziers itself is an impressive sight, bordered on three sides by the Orb river and the Canal du Midi, the ancient town, dominated by its cathedral sits atop of a rocky spur overlooking Hérault department or to you and me, Hérault county.

It is a town worth exploring being a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.

The canal is certainly a marvel built nearly 100 years before the Basingstoke Canal and was clearly a great success.

Inaugurated in 1681 to help develop trade joining the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, the Canal du Midi is today classified as an UNESCO Heritage Site.

Its shady banks, locks and little bridges make a great place to unwind and explore, either by boat or on the cycle path where you can enjoy life at a more moderate and peaceful pace.

Admirers of beautiful architecture, scholars of French literature and history buffs are sure to love the nearby town of Pézenas It is a delightful place full of narrow streets, cobbled squares and fountains, offering an impressive range of 16 th century, 17 th century and 18 th century treasures – exquisite town houses.

It is a must see for anyone one who enjoys the work of the equivalent of France’s Shakespeare, the French playwright Molière who is considered to be one of the greatest masters of comedy.

The great man who wrote, Tartuffe ou L’Imposteur – Tartuffe or the Hypocrite, lived and performed in the town.

As strange as it may sound, the town has guarded an ancient secret recipe from Old England – authentic mince pies.

The original recipe which was made from real meat never regained its popularity after Oliver Cromwell had banned it.

Yet the mince pie not only flourished in Pézenas, it became a trademark for the town's. Its folk even have a festival to celebrate the pies.

And it is all down to Clive of India, the father of the British Raj, who on his way back to Market Drayton, in Shropshire, holidayed there in 1768.

It is said his chef shared the pie’s secret with the locals.

Don’t get shaken or stirred in tranquil Marseillan – the home of Noilly Prat vermouth, where hundreds of barrels of James Bond's favourite mixer lay maturing in the sun.

It is a charming port, no doubt a well known destination to many of Hampshire’s intrepid yachtsmen and women.

It sits on the southern entreport for the Canal du Midi.

You just can’t visit the heart of Languedoc-Roussillon – the world’s largest single wine producing region – and not thoroughly research its wares.

You’ll find no shortage of wine domaines to visit – where you can enjoy sampling and learning about the ancient craft of winemaking.

Vinipolis wine cellar and restaurant is a great place to start your wine and dining experience – it being a short drive from Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport.

Offering an interactive modern layout, visitors can move from one themed terminal to another and discover this is a great way to learn about the wines.

While there, why not enjoy an exquisite meal to accompany the wines at the Bistrot d’Alex, that serves wholesome Mediterranean cuisine.

For a more traditional vineyard experience, pop over to Domaine de Saint-Pierre, in Vias and learn about the science of wine making on a one hour tour of the wine cellar and then try for yourself to see how the merlot, syrah, sauvignon, cabernet-sauvignon grapes are transformed into the drink of the Gods.

Talking of the Gods, Le Cap d’Agde, which is one of the largest leisure ports on the French Mediterranean, has a fantastic museum that houses a collection submarine archaeological finds dating from the ancient Greeks and Romans.

It is called The Musée de l'Ephèbe and is named after its highly prized and magnificent 2,300-year-old bronze statue that is believed to have been inspired by portraits of Alexander the Great.

It really is worth a visit even though the stunning white sand beaches of Le Cap d’Agde are just a short distance away to soak up the sun.

For something a little different, between these white sands is an attractive fine dark basalt beach called La Grande Conque.

It’s dark sand came from the lava of the Agde volcano.

When it comes to accommodation, visitors to the region are spoilt for choice for quality accommodation.

An enchanting place to stop is the elegant Château of Raissac, set in beautiful grounds.

It is the home of the Christine and Jean Viennet who proved to be charming hosts, going out of their way to make their guests feel welcome as treasured guests.

In Marseillan, The Petit Hotel looks modest looking on the outside but is impressive inside with its modern and chic décor, offering two large sun terraces and a heated pool.

Alternatively, a cosy place to stay is up in the hills towards the Black Mountains in a rugged stone-built 19 th century house called La Vigneronne at the entrance of the old village of Faugères.

It overlooks vineyards and is includes an enclosed garden and swimming pool.

Here too you can enjoy indulge in delicious wines and wonderful food.

There really is so much to see and do in the Real South of France!

A good way to find out what’s on an what to do in the area is to visit www.heraultwhatson.info More information is also available by visiting www.beziers.cci.fr Full details of flights from Southampton International Airport can be found at www.southamptonairport.com