Le Vigier in Marseillan , Hérault

Fridge, oven and 4-ring hob in the kitchen, and the labour saving luxury of a dishwasher. Washing machine in the utility area.

The Promenade de la Belle Scribotte, with its lakside path, is just at the bottom of the street. La Belle Scribote is Marseillan's own swashbuckling seafaring heritage: a tale of derring do and romance, of the local boy who battled brigands on land and sea to rescue a Marseillan lass from a foreign harem; and a story retold in song and light in the port every summer by a cast of over 100 signers and dancers. The lighthouse at the mouth of the canal at les Onglous just a few hundred yards away. Walk a little further, discover the flamongos on the lagoon or the Bagnas nature reserve, home to egrets and kingfishers, herons and countless other waterfowl. From Le Vigier, it is an easy stroll along the rue de l'Occitanie to the Champion supermarket and the village boulangeries for freshly baked baguettes and croissants at daybreak. On a Tuesday morning, forage in the market for herbs and olives, fresh fish and fine cheeses to prepare in your kitchen and savour on your terrace. Any afternoon of the week, take a gentle walk along the banks of the lagoon to the Caves Henri Richemer and pick up a bottle or two of the village white wine to serve with dinner, or pop into the Noilly Prat distillery on the quayside for Marseillan's most celebrated aperitif. Treat yourself to dinner at the fashionable eaterie Le Château du Port or amongst friends at the Taverne on the rive gauche. After all home is just a few minute's stroll along the waterfront.

A two-bedroom apartment between the village and the waterfront.

Named for the Vigier or Look-Out on the masts of the pirate ships that once found safe haven in Marseillan, the appartment has its own vantage point for gazing across at the sails of today's ships plying the waters of the lagoon, and the Med beyond.

No corsairs nor privateers lay claim to Marseillan's water's these days, but the waters and the breezes still belong to a new age of sail.

From the dining terrace, look over evergreen trees and terracotta rooftops to the silver waters of the Etang de Thau. Spot the dinghies from Les Glenans sailing school by the lighthouse setting out across the bay, toast the fishing boats returning from the oyster beds and raise a glass to the white holiday boats plying the maritime waters between the Canal du Midi and the Canal Rhône-Sète.
Le Vigier is a modern purpose built appartment designed for making the most of Marseillan.

The bright living room, with its own dining space, comfortable sofa and TV , opens out onto the terrace and segues into a stylish new kitchen - which even boasts a dishwasher to give you more time to gaze at the moon over a late night digestif.

Two bedrooms, one double and one twin;


A bathrom with a real bath and shower;

A seperate wc;

And a utility area with washing machine and tumble drier.

Downstairs, find a reserved parking space for your car - but with the lagoon just down the road to your right, and the village shops a couple of streets to your left, who needs to drive.

Save the wheels for another day's adventure, exploring neighbouring ports and villages or discovering the gloriously unspoilt natural parks of the arrière pays.