What an experience,literally on our doorstep we walk out into a menagerie of noise,colour aromas and a spread that coaxes,"look at me,smell me ,touch me and taste me,oh my goodness!"
Olives and olive oil are a major focus .La Lucques is an old variety and has attractive notes of avocado and hazelnut.
Oysters and Shellfish take their unique flavour from the underground fresh water that flows through the Thau Basin through the lagoons' oyster farms.
Roquefort cheese is the flavour of the region.
Sweet onions,turnips,strawberries,cherries along with foie gras are also predominant here.
As we walk through there are huge paella pans full to the brim,piping hot ready to be purchased.Hot bread,pastries,baguettes,croissants,fresh quiche,eclairs,beignets,madeleines and the list goes on.
The charcuterie is superb and you can have heaps of tastes!
I could have really gone crazy but we had to be a little sedate,we purchased bread,pastry,fresh asparagus ,celery,suburb tomatoes ,charcuterie ,smoked jambon,peaches,oranges and Roquefort.
We purchased a hat each and the person who sold me my hat explained that she sells her hats to Helen Kaminsky in Australia,I think there is a story in that for all of us!
We went to the Cafe for a coffee then took our purchases home .
We then decided to drive to Minerve which was about 30 km.from Olonzac .
Minerve is the historical capital of Minervois.It is a medieval town.
This historical city rises out of the middle of a limestone plateau roundabout,protected by the deep gorges of the Cesse and the Brian Rivers,where water has fashioned some absolutely amazing natural bridges.
With its terraced gardens and it's cobbled streets,(calades), Minerve is an intact and spellbinding village,listed as one of the most beautiful Villages of France.The causses which stretch around Minerve are covered by high and low garrigues and vines.The rivers,Cesse and the Brian have carved these limestone plateaus,which are sloping to the south,and have isolated the spur upon which the medieval town was built.
The ground is stony and arid and it's hilly exposure produces fruity wine .
Wines produced in Minerve has the highest French wine certification.
It was a beautiful afternoon so we slowly walked around the medieval city ensuring we did not overlook any aspect.
This town dates back to the late 11th and 12th centuries and was built by the Romans.
It was quiet with only a few visitors ,a wonderful afternoon that could not be repeated!