Mr & Mrs Smith

Le Sarrail itself happens to be a picture-perfect picnic spot, walk in any direction through the local vineyards or the woods near Montrèal to find your plot. If hoping to venture slightly further afield, then about 20 minutes away by car you'll find the small but perfectly formed manmade Carcassonne Beach located on a beautiful lake. Travel 20 minutes further and the lake at Montbel offers boat and bike hire or of course you're close enough to travel to the foothills of the Pyrenée mountains for numerous riverside locations. Each of the properties at Le Sarrail have picnic blankets for you to use and buckets and spades too!

Other than the small lakeside beach mentioned above, in less than an hour you'll find the wide and sandy beaches and small towns lining the Mediterranean coast. Gruissan is a charming old town perfect for traditional seaside and seafood lovers. Slightly further South towards the Spanish coast you'll find Collioure, a colourful old fishing port; oyster enthusiasts should try Sète, famous for its sprawling beds of these tasty bivalves, and the associated gastronomy.

Wine lover or not, you can't deny the beauty of southern French vineyards which also provide some stunning walking options. Minervois is a large beautiful local wine-growing area: Les Corbières and Les Montagnes Noir too. The Pyrénées and their foothills are another obvious, but no less breathtaking, option.

This region provides countless opportunities for family fun such as sailing, hiking, rafting, rambling, biking, horse-riding, adventure parks of all guises and even a space centre. For those seeking some culture there are wonderful authentic local French markets, festivals and music concerts and of course La Cité, in nearby old-town Carcassonne. During the winter months you'll find numerous ski resorts around an hour away (ski and snowboarding lessons plus husky rides can be arranged by Le Sarrail).