Sunshine, blue skies, warm breeze, sailboats in the harbor, fish nets catching eels, palm trees and a motorcycle that sucks up dog poop (really!) That was a first. Welcome to Gruissan.

First stop after parking was a visit to the cooperative La Cave de Gruissan. Shelves with products from the area: mustard, olive oil, tapenades, confit de canard, Cassoulet de Castelnaudary, jars of Langue de Boeuf and wine tasting. The host at the wine bar was happy to chat, giving me plenty of opportunity to practice French.

We meandered the streets, savored a lunch of fresh heirloom tomatoes with burrata and medallions de lotte (fish) with roasted vegetables, small salad and roasted potatoes, then continued our stroll about the harbor.

Driving to dinner in Béziers that evening, the full moon rose over the horizon of the Mediterranean as the sun set across vineyards. Palm trees lined the streets.  A large fountain, with openings level to the courtyard/sidewalk, pulsed with music and various shades of color.

Dinner destination: Octopus. Lots of fish (to be expected). Amuse bouche of all kinds of yumminess, sashimi tuna, raw fresh oysters with mango underneath, and 2 desserts – oh my.

Birds conversed outside the windows the following morning. Croissants and a quest for espresso had us packed and out the door, with the short drive down to Narbonne-Plage. Sea and people watching while sipping espresso 🙂

On our way to Montpellier, one more winery beckoned: Chateau d’Anglés.  Its proximity to the sea, winding pebbled road lined with vines and light blue shutters drew us in. We did need to ring a bell a few times, until someone emerged from an upstairs room. Sipping, savoring, conversing in French was a wonderful way to end our time in Occitanie. Salut et au bon santé.