Marseillan, located on the Mediterranean between Agde and Sete, is a traditional fishing port surrounded by vineyards and protected nature reserves. The Etang de Thau, which protects the town from rough seas, is the largest oyster producing area in France.

Marseillan caters for every taste. For the active there is a sailing school and tennis courts nearby. If you want to relax more there is sight-seeing at the many historic towns and villages locally, wine tasing at the vineyards which surround the town or, of course, the wide variety of restaurants in Marseillan from the very reasonably priced to those with Michelin stars.

A couple of minutes (literally) walk from the house is the Port de Plaisance, where you may sit at one of the many waterfront bars and restaurants and watch the boats coming and going.

On the far side of the Port is the home of Noilly Pratt, the wonderfully distinctive aperitif that is made only in Marseillan and exported worldwide. Here you may join a guided tour and see the unique production process from beginning to end, including a tasting.

Every Tuesday there is a market in the town centre, just a short walk from the house, with all manner of produce on sale. Nearby Meze has a very large market on a Sunday morning. Why not visit the market in Meze and follow it with a superb lunch at Bouzigues with its many seafood restaurants. TV chef, Rick Stein, visited Marseillan and Bouzigues in his series French Odyssey, and enthused about the quality of food here.

Sunday is also the day to visit the Flea Market at Marseillan Plage which seems to get bigger every year. The local tourist office can give you a list of all the local market days.

There are superb clean beaches just a short drive away, near Marseillan Plage. The sandy beaches strech eastwards for more than twelve miles towards Sete. Even in the busiest season they never get too crowded.

There are many small shops in Marseillan including supermarkets. These are closed on Sundays but you can always buy bread and oysters until lunchtime. However, in the nearby town of Agde you will find Hypermarkets which are open on Sundays in the holiday season.

The large holiday resort of Le Cap'd'Agde is ten minutes drive away.There is ample free parking, many bars and restaurants and a large fun fair (open in the season only). The town is built around a massive marina with all types of boat mooring there. You can take boat trips from here.

Either side of the town are beeches to suit all preferences. If you are feeling active, try walking the length of the Plage de Richleau in a westerly direction to Grau d'Agde and try one of the restaurants there.