D1 St Guilhem le Désert, Sweet Treats and the Herault Gorges (50 km)

Lunch of the group then a visit to St Guilhelm le Desert, a remote and mediaeval place of pilgrimage tucked into the mountainside. Visit a Sweet Manufacturer specialising in “berlingots et nougatine” – hard candies and crispy nougat. Continue along the Herault Gorges, where the river has sliced and swirled its way down the valley. A visit to the Clamouse Cave, with its abundance and variety of rock formations, is optional. Dinner and overnight.

D2 Montpellier, history and traditions (20 km)

Guided tour of the historic centre, and the Antigone district where you can admire the neo-classical work of Catalan architect, Ricardo Bofill. A visit to the Fabre Museum, which houses one of France’s largest art collections and many fine oil paintings, is optional. Lunch of the group then an afternoon in the company of a wine producer and local guide to learn all about the regions wine-growing past, and taste some wines and “fougasses”, a local flatbread. Dinner and overnight.

D3 Seaside Sète (50 km)

Guided tour of Sète then some shellfish sampling in one of the local farms. Lunch of local specialities. After lunch you may like to visit the Brassens Centre, celebrating the life of one of France’s legendary singer-songwriters and the town’s most famous son, or take a boat trip around Sete’s network of canals and ports.