The Minervois is always different: plane and sea, moor and mountain, and endless vineyards. Grapes have been grown in the Minervois since Gallo-Roman times. Today Minervois is the most famous wine area in Languedoc-Roussillon in the south of France. But there is much more to discover than wine: prehistoric caves, countless Romanesque churches, the Caunes abbey near Rieux-Minervois, beautiful villages along the Canal du Midi.
Whether walking or cycling alongside it, gazing at the clouds, lounging on the deck of a canal boat as it winds its quiet way, picnicking on its shores, or enjoying the pleasure of a Minervois wine at one of its many restaurants, the Canal du Midi offers an escape to tranquility and aesthetic beauty.
In the 17th century, with just shovels, more than 12,000 men made possible the seemingly impossible dream of Pierre-Paul Riquet, to create a waterway that would link the Mediterranean and Atlantic seas. The 360 km stretch of water, which is the Canal du Midi, encompasses more than 300 structures. It is a navigable route that incorporates aqueducts, bridges (two of which are canal bridges crossing the Cesse and Répundre rivers), tunnels, horse paths for pulling boats, rest areas for travelers and animals, and most importantly 156 locks, many of them that have become stops and tourist walks today.
The canal, a sacred path, marvelous under its foliage of tall plane trees, has allowed generations of locals to more easily export their products, especially their wine! Today, the Canal du Midi stands not only as an engineering masterpiece, but also as a beautiful work of art, appreciated by locals and tourists alike.
Minervois belongs to the departments of Aude and Hérault, its 68 municipalities being the smallest administrative region in France Today, Minervois is the first wine region of Languedoc-Roussillon; in the first place for the seven AOC wine-producing communities, the best of them being Pic de Loup in Hérault. ?? Even today Minervois is a land of vineyards and agriculture, with splendid scenery and pretty villages and small towns along the Canal du Midi. Tourism is today of paramount importance for the Minervois and the landscape offers everything to attract visitors.
One of the main landmarks of the Minervois, the town of Minerve has been widely visited and revisited, photographed and painted, written about numerous times and is also listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It is an ancient and impregnable city, impressive not only for its location, perched on a rock surrounded by two deep gorges, but for its wild history that includes the Cathar burnings of 1210. However, long before this time, throughout Brian and the Rivers cease, prehistoric life was rich. Remains of prehistoric life have been found in almost all the caves of these gorges. Today, Minerve is a lively town that celebrates largely in festival. La fête de la Pierre (The Rock Festival) in August and Les Chemins de Minerve (The Paths of Minerve) in October and November.
The modern troubadours (street artists) have changed a lot, with their modern clothes and new songs, however they reappear in traditional form during festival times to please young and old in this beautiful setting of ancient stones.
The circular village of Aigne. Another site that you cannot miss! The moment you walk through the main entrance of the circular village, you find yourself in a time warp that dates back to the Middle Ages. An overwhelming sense of history is felt throughout the Minervois and this circular town has certainly seen the hardships and the good times that have marked the region. The historic buildings and the town are faithfully kept within an undulating landscape of small hills (les mouels).
The main street winds through the center of town, where sculptors, painters and other artists influence the atmosphere of the town. The church, as a
Open history book, dedicated to Saint Martin, it has a Roman nave from the 11th century, Gothic style from the 14th century and a fresco from the 18th century. Stroll as the towns of yesteryear did, centuries ago, when strolling quietly was common.
There are also great opportunities to invest in Minervois. It has probably the best selection of picturesque and characterful villages in all of Languedoc. If you want to buy a country house, a house or a villa in the region, take a look at the data.
The Languedoc has seen some of the highest increases in property prices in all of France in the last 7 years. The cottages and town houses have been converted to cottages and B&Bs (Chambre d’Hote) as the number of visitors has increased over the last 5 years. To buy a house/country house that needs work, you will need to invest around 50,000 euros to acquire the property. So, an investment of approximately the same amount will give you a beautiful house to live in.
It only remains to say that the Minervois, in the Languedoc, in the south of France, is one of the most beautiful regions in all of France. Come soon, invest in it, and enjoy a great quality of life.
