Explore the great outdoors in Béziers – the land of lagoons and Lego
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
WRITER Laura Bond and her family headed out on a much-need break in the South of France.
They stayed in a cute wooden chalet in the ancient town of Béziers, where they found lagoons, Lego and lots of fine French food.
The pad
SITTING between the ancient town of Béziers and the Mediterranean Sea, the huge Sunêlia Domaine de la Dragonnière campsite is surrounded by Languedoc vineyards.
Touring pitches are available, but we opted for a cute two-bedroom wooden chalet with a terrace and continental brekkie.
Entertainment is included from morning till night, from archery, aqua gym, Zumba and a disco – plus a packed kids’ schedule for over-fives courtesy of Sunny Club.
There are also play areas at every turn, four swimming pools and a kid-friendly waterpark.
But the absolute highlight? The lagoon. Hidden behind palm trees is an arc of white sand and a tranquil expanse of crystal-clear water – it’s like being in the Caribbean!
BTW
CRAVING peace and quiet? Try Dragonnière’s Ahimsa Spa.
It’s £13 for an hour’s access to the hammam and sauna, or £41 for a back massage.
Out and about
HIRE bikes on-site and meander down the flat towpath running along the Canal du Midi to Béziers.
A week’s bike hire costs £40 for adults, £35 for kids. Stop off to see water defying gravity at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fonserannes Locks, a staircase of nine locks you can watch boats climb up. It’s mesmerising!
Next, jump on the little sightseeing train, £6 for adults and £3.85 for children, for a tour into the centre of town, with an audio guide explaining the history as you go ().
Meanwhile, the Musée du Jouet in Valras-Plage, a 15-minute drive from the site, is packed floor to ceiling with Lego and K’Nex displays.
Entry costs £5 for adults, £3.50 for kids. Plus, the beach, perfect for sandcastle building, is at the end of the road.
Eat up
NEXT to Béziers’ grand 12th-century St Madeleine church and in a small square lined with olive trees, Le Roi des Belge makes the perfect lunch spot for steak frites, £12.50 ().
Or, for a slice of exceptional French cooking, pop into Le Boucan in Villeneuve les Béziers. The parcel of carbonara, £18, is melt-in-your-mouth divine and the young owners are super-friendly ().
If you want to stay on-site, La Terrasse is one of the campsite’s four restaurants, and serves up Mediterranean-style food.
The baked camembert, £7.50, and prawn risotto, £13.50, are both excellent.
Afterwards, head to Le Havana bar for local rosé, £2.50 a glass, overlooking the picturesque lagoon.
Pack it
A bucket that rolls up and a tiny spade to match? Yes please! £12 for set, Scrunch at .
For rainy day family fun, create an escape room with Trapped: The Bank Job, £12.99, .
Make your first aid kit eco! Patch, £6.99, Holland & Barratt, contains 25 bamboo plasters with healing aloe vera.
Most read in Fabulous
Book it
A WEEK costs from £354, based on four people sharing a two-bedroom/one bathroom Prestige Cottage at Sunêlia Domaine de la Dragonnière ().
Plan your trip at . Fly from the UK to Béziers from £44 per person return, or drive via the Eurotunnel from £180 return.
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]