On warm summer evenings, dining near Cinq & Sept often means candlelit tables beneath the stars, terraces with long views, and the soft hum of village life around you. From traditional regional cooking to more contemporary French cuisine, the restaurants around us — including a Michelin-starred address — favour unhurried meals, enjoyed outdoors whenever possible and naturally accompanied by some of the region’s best wines.

Languedoc is one of the world’s most exciting wine regions, celebrated for its creativity, diversity and exceptional value. Rich reds, refreshing rosés and complex, expressive whites thrive here, with far more freedom and experimentation than in  France’s more tightly-regulated appellations. One of our favourite local visits is to Seigneurie de Peyrat, where you can tour the estate with the owner, Cécile, before settling into the courtyard of the 17th-century château for their delightful Picnique Chic — a relaxed tasting of tapas and wines in a beautiful setting. It’s a wonderfully convivial way to discover just how exciting — and accessible — Languedoc wines can be.

Markets are a way of life here, with hundreds taking place each week in towns and villages across the region. The Saturday morning market in nearby Pézenas is a particular favourite — lively and full of temptation, with stalls overflowing with exceptional cheeses, charcuterie, fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and oysters. It’s the perfect place to gather everything you need for a memorable lunch, prepared in your suite kitchen and enjoyed slowly in our garden.