Traditional Village Houses in Languedoc

Discover Traditional Village Houses in the Herault Department of Languedoc in the South of France…

The Herault area is situated on the Mediterranean coast with the Black mountains to the North and acres of vineyards in between. The villages and hamlets can date back to early medieval times and the lanes and roads are narrow.

The houses are terraced but each one is unique in height and size. Most village houses front onto the road with no garden, some will have back gardens. These houses when built had a “cave” a space for wine-making etc. this area can  take up the entire ground floor with stone stairs leading up to the first floor. Lots of caves have been converted into living space, garage, storeroom or workshop.

Houses are generally two to three stories high and can range in size from 50 to 250 square metres of living space, built of stone with walls up to a metre thick with tiled floors. Each room will have at least one window and the living room may have a french window onto a small balcony, the roof is built with traditional terracotta tiles.

State of Repair

This can vary from…superb condition to total renovation project. Most of the houses that come on the market are in “OK” condition i.e. the structure and roof is sound. In some cases the kitchens and bathrooms will need to be updated or replaced and the whole house given a make – over. Some people have converted some or all of the top floor into terraces.

General Information

There are lots of public parking spaces in and around most villages.
Most villages have at least one bakery, grocery / fruit shop, butchers, post office and newsagents and some have weekly markets selling local produce etc.
Many villages are within a 20 minute drive to major supermarkets and stores.
Quiet at night with little or no crime.
Very friendly neighbours
Bus service

Typical Herault Village

Saint Thibery is situated fifteen minutes by car to the Mediterranean coast, thirty minutes to Sete, fifteen minutes to Agde, Beziers and Pezenas and and hour and twenty minutes to Spain. The Celts once lived here and the Romans built a road ( Via Domitia ) through the village cira 118 BC. Within the village boundaries you will also find a Roman Bridge, an early medieval corn mill and bridge, a Benedictine Abbey and Church and many medieval houses. The village is surrounded by vineyards and the rivers Herault and Thongue run by.

The village has…
Four Bakeries
Veg and fruit shop
Small supermarket
Tabac
Three bars / restaurants
Hairdressing salon
Post office
Gites and B&B’s
Wine caves
Weekly open-air market
Camping site
Annual festivals and fetes etc.
Bus Service
Taxis
School
Church
Community hall
Mayor’s office
Major supermarket,  a few minutes drive (or a 10 minute walk)
Train Station, fifteen minutes drive
Beautiful walks

Discover more about the village of St Thibery

 

 

Post by BJK © The South of France Guide (All photos are of St Thibery)