La Maison Tabarka in Marseillan , Hérault

Barbecue fresh fish or mussels on the terrace, slip a DVD into the TV or sip a glass or two of crsp white wine and watch the fishermen party in their sheds.

Compact kitchen with combi-microwave/grill, a fridge and a two ring hob. And, of course, the washing machine.

The harbour wall is just opposite the house. Perfect for lazing on the rocks with a good book. Play Pétanque in front of the house or book a tennis court along the Oystermen's road. Children can always let off steam in the Parc Tabarka playground two minutes walk away - skate ramps, volleyball and table tennis areas. Shopping: Sunday morning's legendary Brocante fleamarkets at Marseillan Plage resort, 5 minutes drive from the village, hailed by BBC TV as the ultimate continental boot fairs. Find Gallé crystal, Limoges teacups and 1950s copies of Paris Match alongside antique bedspreads and wedding dresses. Dozens of Domaines offer wine tastings (local Picpoul de Pinet white wine ideal with oysters). The village co-operative is on the other side of the port and the nearest private winery, La Madeleine St Jean, is just yards from your front door.Marseillan's world famous vermouth Noilly Prat, ever the heart of a true dry martini, is made on the quaysides and worth a late afternoon tour and tasting.

This cosy cottage has super views over the quaint Port Tabarka, where the traditional fishing boats, are moored overnight before heading out to the 0ysterbeds in the lagoon.

Here, yards from many and varied restaurants of more bustling quaysides, the fishermen and villagers spend their days and evenings. Summer oyster fairs and concerts by the water's edge; winter and spring hours spent repairing nets and painting old boats in the sunshine; year-round angling from the rocks of the breakwater in silent solitude.

Oyster-boats and pleasure craft, fishermen's sheds and the masts of sailing vessels frame the lagoon views from the outside dining terrace of this cosy two-bedroom, two-storey cottage.

The private courtyard from the reserved parking space leads to the front door which opens to the welcoming ground floor open plan living room with its smart modern corner kitchen, complete with microwave, mini-oven/grill, twin-hob, fridge and dresser. A washing machine is tucked away, out of sight.

Choose to eat outside and watch the daily life of the port or inside around the dining table. Flop in the comfy lounge area, with its TV & DVD player and sofa.

Outside: Two terraces; one at the front, with its dining table and chairs overlooking the port and lagoon: a second courtyard garden style jardinet may be found behind the house, near the reserved parking space, with a lamp and bench for those special moments of quiet reflection.

Upstairs to a twin bedroom with views of the port, a second good-sized bedroom with twin beds arranged as a double overlooks the rear courtyard and has a bedside clock radio and capacious chest of drawers. Both bedrooms are equipped with electric fans. At the top of the stairs is the the shower-room/wc.