TOUR AROUND SAINT-JEAN-DE-MINERVOIS - GR® DE PAYS MINERVOIS, SAINT-CHINIAN, FAUGÈRES

1

The village of Cruzy is world-renowned for the paleontological discoveries made in the surrounding area over many decades. They can be found in the museum (by appointment). You pass from valley to valley before reaching Montouliers where a vineyard landscape unfolds: the Saint-Chinian appellation here gives way to Minervois.

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The village of Montouliers stands on a rocky spur. You discover its cobbled streets and its typically Mediterranean vegetation. In the village center, a former wine cellar rehabilitated by a Montouliers artist into a studio and living space creates the illusion of a wooden lace cathedral (visits by appointment). Before continuing towards Bize, a refreshing stop in the hollow of the valley is a must at the fountain: legend says it dates back to the Romans! On the way to Bize, in the distance but not too far, you can make out the outlines of the Canal du Midi.

3

Bize-Minervois is a charming medieval circular village, by the river Cesse, part of which in the heart of the town has been arranged as a beach. This makes it a great bathing spot in the summer season, and an olive capital all year round. The plain between vineyards and olive trees also adds to the charm of the place, and the path leading you to Aigues-Vives, crossing the Cesse again near Agel, is simply timeless.

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Aigues-Vives is a village housing all essential shops. You will find there, among others, a large grocery and a bakery to replenish drinks and food supplies, as long as you come during opening hours marked by the South! You will now gain altitude and join Paguignan, crossing vineyards and scrublands. The arrival will be in wooded terrain where suddenly, next to the new church, the old Saint Martin priory will reveal itself. It shows the impressive size of its building currently being restored by volunteers. Its remains date back to the 17th century (but much older traces have been found). The old altar has been transferred to the new church right next to it. Gradually, the ground, small walls, and house facades will become white, the landscape changes, mineral and bright: this is the terroir of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois!

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A place famous for its Petit Grain muscat, Saint-Jean-de-Minervois is one of the oldest appellations in Languedoc (1948). A must-do tasting in the six private estates and the cooperative cellar that work this terroir. In the hamlet of Gimios, an unusual sign: That's the way.... It leads you to a tiny path descending steeply into a canyon towards a relatively well-preserved church surrounded by a cemetery. All really in the middle of nowhere! It is the church of St-Jean de Dieuvaille more commonly called the Church of the Hole. Continuing towards Assignan, soak up the terroir atmosphere as you pass the Barroubio vineyard plots.

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On the Assignan plateau, they say nothing runs except the wind! The landscape here is sculptural in beauty and in the village you will see life in pink! Pretty facades, a small square, restaurants, shops, an art gallery, and a scattered hotel! A dream come true… After Villespassans, you will reach Cruzy via the Marie Close and Sainte Foi defiles, narrow and deep gorges. A feeling of the end of the world before the end of the adventure…

In case of emergency, contact 112.

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+33 4 67 37 85 29

Canal du Midi Tourist Office at Saint-Chinian

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