firm divisions between work and leisure and the occasional treat enchant food writer who swapped London for a village in southern France in all weathers apart from horizontal rain there will be a group of women sitting on the bench There might be half a dozen of them or more ranging in age from their 60s to their 80s There are always at least a couple of little dogs and conversations I like to think they’ve picked up every afternoon at four since they were girls We moved to this village 17 months ago, swapping a terraced house in Hackney, east London, for a long-neglected one – yes, that cliche – in Marseillan on the Étang de Thau, a saltwater lagoon in southern France that opens into the Mediterranean This month, two separate reports were published lauding the health-giving properties of the Mediterranean diet. The first appeared in the journal BMC Medicine It stated that this diet – traditionally rich in fruits and vegetables nuts and healthy fats – could potentially lower the risk of dementia by almost a quarter The Étang de Thau saltwater lagoon produces 13,000 tonnes of oysters every year. Photograph: Zoonar GmbH/AlamyThe second, based on the work of a team at Sydney University and published in the journal Heart stated that women who followed the Mediterranean diet could reduce the risk of early death by almost a quarter I’d tell the women on the benches but I think they’re too busy having a good time to care about the numbers so one of the great draws of this corner of France is close proximity to wonderful ingredients The Étang produces 13,000 tonnes of oysters every year and 3,000 tonnes of mussels a large butcher and several small shops selling oysters When I walk my dogs through the fields each morning chances are we’re weaving past the grapes I used to add to my Ocado order when I lived in London it takes me longer to walk around the Tuesday market waiting for the French asparagus to come in and the price to come down the best grown nearby and picked when they’re perfectly ripe On Sundays, the queue to pick up cakes from the baker is long and sociable. Here, in this provincial corner of France at least, balance is everything. Pouring small pleasures into each day is admired, gluttony or excess is not. Free daily newsletterOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters It’s about more than just food. Most businesses close at lunchtime for an hour, two hours, three, four. I’m joking. No one closes for just an hour. After all these months, I still get confused about what time the local Spar (shelves of biscuits, cat food, pasta and washing up liquid, plus a 12th-century wine cave in the back), butcher, greengrocers and bakeries open after lunch. Almost everything is closed on Sundays. The idea of spending time with your family and friends, or simply having time to yourself, is sacrosanct. It’s frowned upon to contact people about work outside of normal work hours. These are a very boundaried people. The climate helps. We spend a lot of time outside. Isolation, for many the torture of old age, is less likely to happen here. The ladies on the benches take up their space. If one of them didn’t appear one day, the others would notice, would check on her. Their daily laughter must be worth more than a ton of healthy grains. Obesity is on the rise; 17% of French adults are now obese double the number of 25 years ago (in the UK an attitude to seizing moments of pleasure This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025 The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media Enter a location to help give the most relevant search result for you Clear Looking for The Good Food Guide Top 20 in full Join The Good Food Guide Club to read more Already a Club member? Login Speak to the locals for long enough and someone will tell you This port village of 8,000 souls sits confidently on the Étang du Thau where the Canal du Midi enters the Mediterranean Those who stay take on a certain douceur de vie and there is a feeling of bustling prosperity many of the restaurants focus on seafood: often their own oysters and mussels grown on ropes suspended from a grid of tables in the Grade A waters of the lagoon A ten-minute walk from the centre of Marseillan brings you to La Cabane a small shack with tables on the edge of the water mussels - raw and cooked - and bread and butter is the extent of the menu the traditional Languedocien dish of mussels cooked over vine wood (though at La Cabane they use beech) with herbs but this one has aspirations to do things a little differently: grilled mussels with chorizo fennel and cream; fried oysters ('nuggets') with squid ink; and their own award-winning Moana oysters with soy sauce and coriander Back in the village, Delicatessen is a sort of South of France version of a Dalston hangout 1950s tables sit in the shade of the church walls; the interior looks like an explosion in a brocante There’s no wine list – you pick mostly local varieties from a shelf by the door and the prices are scribbled on the labels There’s every chance you might meet the wine maker at the bar local cheeses and charcuterie…you know the drill Marseillan is the home of Noilly Prat vermouth so make time to do a tour of the chais and try a cocktail in their cool cucumber and raspberries) is highly recommended On Tuesdays, market day, the village congregates on the loud, friendly terrace of the Marine Bar. The bar doesn’t serve food, so the hungry buy platters of oysters from Jade Coquillages plates of cheese from La Fromagerie Philippe in the halles or charcuterie from Le Cochon Gourmand – all of these are steps away from the bar - to enjoy with their breakfast rosé or pression The Sportsman in nearby Seasalter established a beachhead almost 25 years ago and Stephen Harris’s pioneering produce-first approach is still well worth the pilgrimage For a more spur of the moment trip there are plenty of places to enjoy the island of Anglesey sits proud on the edge of the Irish Sea cross the Menai Bridge to discover some of the best seafood in the UK best enjoyed in any number of lively bistros Restaurant Index Our website uses cookies to improve your experience and personalise content. Cookies are small files placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to improve your experience of a website, gather reporting information and show relevant advertising. You can allow all cookies or manage them for yourself. You can find out more on our cookies page any time These cookies are needed for essential functions such as signing in and making payments These cookies help us optimise our website based on data Using these cookies we will know which web pages customers enjoy reading most and what products are most popular Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker ShareSaveCommentBETAThis is a BETA experience. opt-out hereLifestyleTravelSouth Of France Gets A New Luxury Seafront Resort With Villas And VineyardByJim Dobson Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Jim Dobson is a full-time luxury travel writer based in Italy ShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 4 years old.Aerial view of LUX* La Baraquette Resort and Residences LUX* La Baraquette Resort and Residences is a stunning new seafront resort planned for the Languedoc–Roussillon region of the South of France Located adjacent to the bustling city of Montpellier the resort’s architecture was designed by Slow Life Architects to be cohesive with the traditional buildings in the area many of them dating back to the 12th century The resort was developed by Propriétés & Co to extend the fishing village of Marseillan Villa at LUX* La Baraquette and Residences The UNESCO Heritage site of Marseillan is perhaps one of the oldest French towns founded in the sixth century B.C It is known for its wine production today and is the largest wine-producing area in the world The development will include 133 studios to four-bedroom stylish apartment residences as well as four spectacular waterfront villas Prices range from mid $350,000 for a one-bedroom Garden Suite to $5.3 million for a luxurious Waterfront Villa Waterfront villa at lux* La Baraquette Resort & Residences The residences range from one-bedroom garden suites and larger apartments to the ultimate villas in the Waterfront Collection Each of the four villas will feature private underground parking a large basement with a state-of-the-art cinema The villas will also feature a private elevator and a suspended fireplace Outdoor features of the villas include a private Jacuzzi with a stainless steel sink and an outdoor fire pit as well as an expansive terrace and pergola on the upper floor all with gorgeous views of the resorts working Garden suites at lux* La Baraquette Resort & Residences Lux* La Baraquette will be part of a large working vineyard managed by the Seigneurie de Peyrat wine domain and will provide villa owners with access to the vineyards to participate Owners will have direct access to LUX* La Baraquette’s 11-acre vineyard and Wine Academy which includes winemaking courses and personal wine storage areas A Nautical Club is also part of the offering Villa bedroom at LUX* La Baraquette and Residences The development overlooks the world famous oyster beds of the Thau Lagoon home to over 700 Mediterranean species including 18 varieties of shellfish including the popular Pink Diamond oysters Villa at lux* La Baraquette Resort & Residences Other properties offered by LUX* Resorts & Hotels include locations in Mauritius with new launches coming in 2023 in Vietnam 2023-24: Boasted an impressive 15-2 record including 4-1 in the third singles slot .. Was 7-1 in the fourth slot and 3-0 at five singles .. Was 14-4 on the season in doubles play and 8-1 in CCIW doubles play There are no statistics available for this player Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The Syndicat du Bas Languedoc has entrusted the public service delegation of drinking water for the 27 municipalities1 that make up the Semi-Public Company with a Single Operation (SemOp) “Eau du Bas Languedoc” 40% owned by the local community and 60% by SUEZ generating cumulative revenue of €130 million In order to measure its impact on the planet and society the SemOp “Eau du Bas Languedoc” becomes the first benefit corporation The Illiwap application and the animation of social networks will ensure a dynamic communication “Eau Du Bas Languedoc” SemOp – key figures: 1The Syndicat du Bas Languedoc brings together the following municipalities: Agde 2Based on the consumption of 120 m3 of drinking water Marselan was created 60 years ago by Professor Paul Truel as a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache The original aim was to breed a variety for Languedoc that has the delicacy as Cabernet and is as heat-resistant as Grenache The grape received its name from the local town Marseillan on the coast of the Mediterranean It has now stretched its territory far beyond Southern France to many wine regions in the world But it is China where Marselan is most largely planted outside France The grape was first introduced to Chinese vineyards in 2001 along with 15 other French grape varieties to Domaine Franco Chinois a winemaking collaboration initiated by the two governments the vineyard under Marselan in China has now grown by almost 100 times also spreading at a rapid pace in the nation’s other major wine regions including Xinjiang ‘It’s vibrant purple in colour with a fresh and aromatic nose of ripe fruit and Cabernet-like minty characters,’ said Professor Li former chief winemaker at Domaine Franco Chinois and a pioneer winemaker of the grape He added that the grape has good yield potential due to its big fruit bunches and small berries Good resistance to diseases allows it to settle in the vastly diverse wine regions in China the wine division of China National Food Industry Association conducted research to map out the sensory profiles of Marselan based on 16 producers from four key wine-producing zones in China (see below) The research finds that wines made with the variety tend to be well-balanced with moderate tannin and body exhibiting rich red and black fruit notes Although Cabernet Sauvignon is still the dominant red grape planted in Chinese wine regions Marselan wines from Chinese winemakers have begun to showcase their quality potential In 2017, Tasya’s Reserve Marselan 2015 by Grace Vineyard of Shanxi Province gained the top award in Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA The win was followed by Zhongfei Winery’s Barrel Aged Marselan 2015, a Gold Medal winner in the 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).  Greatwall also secured a Gold with its 2015 ‘Five Stars’ Marselan-Syrah blend in the same competition The grape is also included in the second wine ‘Hu Yue’ of Domaine de Long Dai owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite-Rothschild) in Shandong province the Chinese wine trade suggested designating Paul Truel’s birthday First published in 2016 and updated in 2021 Stoke Newington-based food writer Debora Robertson had long been an admirer of an old but neglected and crumbling house in the village of Marseillan in southern France ever since she first rented a holiday place directly opposite it one summer I wondered why the prettiest house in the village was surrounded by a thick skirt of bamboo and melancholy.” After many years of coveting the house during regular holidays to the area to their slight surprise found Robertson and her husband were able to buy it the couple packed up their much loved home in Stoke Newington stacked their dogs and cat in the back of the car and waved goodbye to Hackney They had bought the house of their dreams and moved to Marseillan permanently to enjoy a very different lifestyle in the fishing port and holiday village on the edge of the Etang de Thau in the middle of the Mediterranean coast of France “I went and fell in love with it and we made this plan to sell the house in London and get this one and start a different life and here we are.”  is a food journalist and writer who contributes to publications such as The Daily Telegraph Sainsbury’s Magazine and BBC Good Food dogs and lifestyle: “Best thing that journalism offers you is a very varied career where you can pursue your own interests meet people and ask questions and that is incredible.” Robertson wanted to live in London ever since she was a little girl: “To me London represented enormous variety where you could do and be whatever you want to be.” She had lived in Stoke Newington for the past 30 years It was the only part of London she could afford and a lot of her friends were already living there for the same reason She said: “It was a blend of people from all walks of life Even though you were in the middle of a big city we knew everyone in our area and how their kids grew up.” Robertson had a very busy and social life and experienced “that relentless pressure of trying to fit everything in.” But she still longs for certain things about east London such as the Columbia Road flower market on Sunday mornings She said: “I miss talking to my dog walking friends each morning and spending time in Abney Park and Clissold Park I also miss Turkish food shops and Indian restaurants and mainly Having spent more than a year in France now and she has more time to think and reflect Robertson believes living in a new culture means you are constantly trying to work out what the unspoken rules are and “doing everything in a second language is challenging and sometimes tiring.” She is acquainting herself with all of the cultural activities available to her in southern France which has its own pleasures – local concerts in the church She has documented her new life in a column for the Daily Telegraph and now in her online Substack column She added: “All my friends say that I left at the right time as it’s a chaos in the UK While I am lucky to lead a nice life in France I’m also very conscious about people in difficult times.”  As a culinary expert with six cookbooks under her belt she gives advice for people about how to save money while stocking up their kitchen and being budget friendly during a cost-of-living crisis there is an undertone that nice food is very middle class…and pretentious But in France we [all] have the same recipe[s] and everyone expects nice food.” Robertson said: “I’m very conscious about fuel economy food waste and cooking seasonally as it is better for the planet I don’t keep too much meat as it is very expensive We make vegetables and cook whatever is seasonal because they are cheaper I have started using a pressure cooker more and that really cuts down the cooking time of things.”  “Planning sounds very boring but it does help because you waste less Britain is a very wealthy country and it is a shame that people who are working are dependent on the food banks.” Even France has its own social problems but Robertson believes wherever you are it is important for the community to support each other: “There is a sense of social responsibility that we are…going to get through this together by taking care and looking out for each other.” Debora Robertson’s latest book, Notes from a Small Kitchen Island, was published earlier this year. You can read her regular newsletter from France here News & Analysis for the Beverage Industry 03-Sep-2018 Last updated on 28-Sep-2021 at 12:46 GMT before moving its entire operation to Marseillan in 1850 Vermouth means ‘absinthe’ in French or ‘wormwood’ in German La Maison Noilly PrattNow the drinks manufacturer exports 80% of its products to nearly 100 countries worldwide with its Original French Dry vermouth enjoyed as an aperitif and in Martini Cocktails There are three other variants of the drink including; Red Noilly Prat except from the Noilly Prat shop in Marseillan Ambre Noilly Prat is exclusively made for the French market and Extra Dry Noilly Prat is formulated for the American extra-dry martini cocktail market Extra Dry is only shipped to North America According to Technavio the global vermouth market is projected to grow to $18.79bn by 2021, at a CAGR of more than 3% over the forecast period. The top three markets where it is consumed are EMEA; Americas and APAC.  “EMEA dominates the vermouth market, holding over 65% of the global shares. The high demand for vermouth from European countries such as Spain, Italy, and France is the key factor behind the dominance of the market segment,” said Manjunath Reddy, lead analyst, Technavio. Other areas of interest are Spain where vermouth is consumed on a daily basis and it is booming in Africa, driven by good grape harvests that help produce wines with good acidity and sugar levels, and favorable weather conditions. The demand for both dry vermouth and sweet vermouth is rising considerably in the Americas, especially in the US. Increasing health consciousness among consumers, combined with changing consumer preferences are driving the growth of vermouth market in the region. Also, the rising production of vermouth in an increasing number of wineries is impacting the growth of the market in the region. The turnaround in Brazil's economy is another key factor that will positively impact the demand for vermouth. The demand for vermouth is set to increase in other major markets in the Americas such as Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. “APAC is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of the global vermouth market, due to the increased consumption in major countries such as China, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand,” added Reddy. Vermouth consumption in China is mainly driven by rising number of millennial consumers, who are inspired by the Western culture. However, the climatic conditions in most APAC countries have not allowed for the development of the wine culture prevalent in the Mediterranean countries. Speaking to BeverageDaily, Lisa Callender, Vermouth expert, La Maison Noilly Prat, said its vermouth in Marseillan is processed much in the same way as it was over 200 years ago, using two white wines from Languedoc, Picpoul and Clairette, which are aged separately, first in caves for eight months in large oak vats then, transferred to smaller oak barrels, in an outdoor area called the Enclos, where they remain for a year. “To sweeten the vermouth the manufacturer uses a liquor called a Mistelle based on Muscatel grapes from southern Spain. This is added to the wines to soften them, along with a dash of fruit essence to accentuate their flavor,” she said. “While indoor aging results in 3% evaporation (called the part des anges, or angels’ portion) the outdoor rate is twice that, yielding wines with lower alcohol content but more intense flavor. “The maître de chai then blends the dry, full-bodied wines with raspberry and lemon liqueurs and a secret mixture of aromatics, bitter orange peel and some 20 herbs and spices, including chamomile, coriander and nutmeg, macerated directly in the wine. “The exact mix of herbs and spices that goes into Noilly Prat is a closely guarded secret, but includes camomile, bitter orange peel, nutmeg, centaury (Yellow Gentian), coriander, and cloves.” After pressing and filtration, the wine rests another six months in oak barrels before it is bottled and shipped in tankers to Beaucaire, Gard, where it is bottled by Martini & Rossi. The museum at Noilly Prat, Marseillan, opened earlier this year and includes a multi-sensory herbs and spices exhibition, an archive of former employees, artifacts, a tasting room and a special mention of Anne-Rosine, who took over the family business in 1865, following the death of her father Louis Noilly and husband Claudius Prat, who set up the company Noilly Prat. Digital natives? ‘Drink brands are behind the times’09-Aug-2018By Rachel ArthurMainstream culture has seen huge changes with the rise of social media, the internet, ecommerce and smartphones. Innovation and disruption has turned many industries upside down when it comes to retail and marketing, but to date the drinks industry has... From craft beer to alkaline water, we take a look at some of the new products hitting the shelves around the globe this month. The UK now boasts 315 distilleries – up 127% in five years - with the popularity of gin and craft cocktails contributing to growth. How to create a prebiotic soda that meets European flavor expectationsPaid for and content provided by esarom How to meet consumer needs for indulgencePaid for and content provided by Agus RTD coffee: Convenience and energy boosting - but what comes next?Paid for and content provided by esarom may seem reminiscent of something you’d see at dive bars in Key West until you take a sip of the local rosé while admiring a salt pond that’s the very same shade of pink as the wine you’re drinking A fishing boat outside of La Cambuse du SaunierPhoto: Courtesy of of Lane NiesetThe South of France is laden with Michelin-starred chefs but it’s this laid-back gastronomy and low-key lifestyle that’s defining Occitanie Occitanie is a combination of the neighboring Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions This is considered to be the true South of France—and one of the country’s best-kept secrets Less stuffy than Bordeaux and trodden with far fewer tourists than Provence Occitanie offers the best of both of its wine-producing neighbors—and just so happens to be the birthplace of sparkling wine that the first case of sparkling wine was documented Even visitors like Thomas Jefferson loved Limoux’s bubbles it was the only sparkling wine Jefferson stored in his personal cellar The Canal du MidiPhoto: Courtesy of of Paul PalauHome to the largest wine region on the globe—and one of the oldest (Greeks first planted vineyards here in the fifth century B.C.)—Occitanie is among the few areas in the world where you can craft almost any type of wine from Bordeaux-style reds to Provence-inspired rosés “It’s hard to compare with other regions,” explains Narbonne native Marianne Fabre-Lanvin a communications agency specializing in wine and travel but you and I could easily buy a bottle at dinner “The region’s wines sold for centimes per liter and very little time and effort was spent on quality grape growing since the vines were taxed for maximum output.” Carcassonne CastlePhoto: Courtesy of of Paul PalauOver the past 20 years restaurateurs and winemakers have been working hard to reshape this reputation by sacrificing quantity for the sake of quality producing world-class wine (with prices to match) and oysters so flavorful they’re prized by top chefs from Paris to Dubai From eight UNESCO World Heritage sites to secluded beach bistros that are so chic you’d think you were in St.-Tropez here’s just a small taste of what the real South of France has to offer Wander through the 70 stalls sampling everything from local olives and tapenades to tapas as authentic as you’d find across the border in nearby Spain helmed by husband-and-wife duo René and Liz The Canal du Midi is one of the must-see UNESCO World Heritage sites but you shouldn’t leave without strolling the cobblestoned streets of Carcassonne The medieval fortified city’s watchtowers and 12th-century château are so scenic they’ve served as a backdrop for films like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (and are said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty) Gerard Bertrand's Clos d'Ora WineryPhoto: Courtesy of of Gerard BertrandWith options from biking through the Pyrénées to canoeing under the Pont du Gard it’s hard to decide how to spend your time between wine tastings One light hike worth making is up Black Mountain where you’ll find the remains of the four Lastours stone castles a local Christian sect massacred during the 13th-century Crusades Gerard Bertrand's Tautavel WineryPhoto: Courtesy of of Gerard BertrandWhere to Sleep and EatPost up at La Tour du Château a 17th-century château with four bedrooms looking out at the Canal du Midi The former Château Ventenac sits on land once owned by Julius Caesar that the current owners discovered while passing through on a barge cruise French country–chic feel with exposed beam ceilings and furniture sourced from Sunday vide-greniers young chef Laurent Chabert not only tends to his own organic vegetable garden he’s also on a mission to earn his first Michelin star with locally inspired dishes like mackerel cooked in L’Hospitalet’s white wine Le St Barth'Photo: Courtesy of of Mario SinistajChabert’s wife, meanwhile, is behind the menu at Gruissan’s newly opened bohemian beach bar, Mamamouchi just a 10-minute drive away along the Mediterranean Sea This spot serves as a great place to start (or end) the night with magnums of rosé and meze on the wooden terrace overlooking the water MamamouchiPhoto: Courtesy of MamamouchiFor a scene that wouldn’t be out of place in the other South of France, spend the day lingering over lunch and cocktails seaside at La Voile Rouge a beach club sitting along Narbonne-Plage’s sandy white shores a spa and series of suites sitting steps from their oyster farm Not only will the shellfish serve as inspiration for a new cosmetics line they’ll also be woven into a series of anti-aging and detoxifying treatments at the oyster-themed spa seven loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchlings were counted on the French Mediterranean coast the Observatoire des Tortues Marines (OTM) and the Réseau Tortues Marines de Méditerranée Française (RTMMF) have been observing an increase in turtle reproduction along the Mediterranean coast Between 2016 and 2022 along the French coast four sea turtle clutches were observed between the Var and Hérault regions: Saint-Aygulf (2016) Thanks to the mobilization of numerous local players including French Biodiversity Agency staff these nests are now protected by enclosures and awareness campaigns have been launched for beach users it will be necessary to wait until the end of the incubation period (55 days on average) to hope to see the baby turtles (or wrigglers) head out to sea While these closely spaced events are excellent news for biodiversity Are sea turtles colonizing new nesting habitats Is this the result of an increase in water temperature a change in currents or the natural evolution of nesting habitats Scientists will need a few more years and a lot more data before they can answer these questions So are €6,000 cotton beach dresses with Mongolian fur trim Lamborghini Gallardos ostentatiously parked in front of harbourside cafes And you certainly won't see estate agents with details of stratospherically pricey villas in French Yet the petite port of Marseillan on the Languedoc coast kissing a Mediterranean lagoon east of Béziers Not the 2009 Riviera honeypot oozing bling but the serene isolated fishing village that first attracted artists and writers in the late 19th century and then Bardot and the jet set in the 1950s Marseillan shares strands of scenic DNA with its more famous Côte d'Azur counterpart The views across its dazzling turquoise water to the hillside rooftops of Sète are reminiscent of St Tropez's to Grimaud and Sainte-Maxime And both ports have excellent beaches a couple of miles outside town - although you've far less chance of being hit by a wayward Cristal cork around Marseillan plage But it's the town's protected 17th-century harbour that really captures the early Riviera vibe Low-level houses laced with wrought-iron balconies and splattered with flowers swaddle a channel that jiggles with small boats and yachts with a left bank of thriving restaurants and cafes laid-back Marseillan has some seriously stylish new accommodation a converted 19th-century wine storehouse (booming trade spawned several monumental cellars near the waterfront) has two-bedroom apartments with balconies and terraces bombarded with startling lagoon light - all whites and light greys with beams The little touches - antique dressmakers' dummies to hang clothes old trunks and French words spelt out in jumbo metallic letters - are guaranteed to induce serious interior design envy the development - the only hotel near the harbour - seems to slip easily into Marseillan life It doesn't appear to be an early sign of St Tropez-isation is its low-key charm and authentic local activities It's why I found myself on the water with Jean-Claude Caumil The ludicrously healthy retiree offers boat rides around the Bassin de Thau but shows little evidence of brutal commercialisation The massive lagoon has more than 700 Mediterranean species and lies at the eastern end of the Canal du Midi "Do you want Toulouse or Bordeaux?" asked Jean-Claude nosing alongside the abandoned rusting hull of the Louisdaky from Cape Town After passing the famed Les Glénans sailing club where you ring a bell to summon a water taxi across the canal floored the engine and made a gesture of an elderly jockey whipping a horse We bounced across the water like a giant Space Hopper windsurfers and kitesurfers trailing in our wake After anchoring we spear-fished - I've never seen dorado laugh quite so brazenly - and snorkelled in crystal-clear shallows through waving seagrass But best of all we simply slumped in the boat let the sun freckle our faces and talked about nothing and everything "I miss some things about work," mused Jean-Claude who swapped his nearby hotel for 364 days a year on the water "It had a nightclub and 250-cover restaurant Locals around Marseillan have turned relaxation lubricated with decent wine and fresh seafood sipping rosé and shooting the breeze with the owners Pierre and Marie-Christine Fabre de Roussac Domaine de la Bellonette is one of several grand estates lining the Bassin's north shore It offers spacious rooms with period furniture and a recently converted studio but I was there for a major foodie treat: the local speciality of brazucade - a mussel barbecue with shellfish straight out of the briny chefs would cover the crustaceans with a generous blanket of the herb before torching it to generate a steaming scented infusion with mussels cooked over glowing wood embers but it still beat the hell out of burgers and chicken wings particularly with its side-serving of zingingly fresh oysters "I once made a 12m-long brazucade," said Pierre because you don't have to cook on a £20 B&Q barbie But it's hard to disagree with the south-west joie de vivre A couple more wines and I was seriously considering relocating Spend any time in Marseillan and you're constantly pulled back to the Bassin de Thau It's why I headed east along the shore to Medi Thau It sounds like a centre for genetic engineering The family firm has revolutionised the farming of the acclaimed crustaceans that thrive on the lagoon's phytoplankton Instead of submerging them on ropes for 12-18 months' growth Medi Thau's solar-powered lifts regularly pull them out of the briny for hours the critters are forced to keep their mouths closed to retain water - a mini workout "We make them suffer a little," says fisherman and directeur général Florent Tarbouriech as we cruise around the sun-dappled oyster beds plump beauties are up to 17% bigger than normal They also have a suntan: exposure to ultra-violet rays gives the shells a delicate rose blush and the name Pink Diamond But in Marseillan you don't need to splash a second mortgage at a flash restaurant Medi Thau serves the super-sized aphrodisiacs in its straw-roofed shack dripping with geraniums and surrounded by old fishing nets "All this just by lifting them out of the water," says Florent is exactly what director Roger Vadim and many others said about Brigitte Bardot in her 1950s St Tropez heyday But while Pink Diamonds are another recent development guaranteed to put Marseillan on the food and travel map the small port seems more than capable of retaining its unhurried 2020Photo by Doron GildArrowJump To RecipeSave RecipeSavePrintI dubbed this aperitif the Nurse thanks to its restorative quality for a hangover I woke up with after visiting Noilly Prat’s production facility in Marseillan The wine base of Noilly Prat dry vermouth’s original formula is barrel-aged for over two years before the botanicals are added which yields one of the most complex aromatized wines in the world I was blown away by Noilly Prat’s versatility as a food pairing with the traditional cuisine of the region (oysters and shellfish) when I visited Instead of serving it with a lemon as they do in Marseillan I prefer a cucumber slice to enhance the botanicals and lend melony notes The “extra dry” formula of Noilly Prat dry vermouth is made from a wine base that isn’t barrel-aged and lacks the nutty we cut the cucumber wheels into crosses to allude to the cocktail’s “medicinal value.” Build in a chilled wine glass filled with ice As the maker of China’s first Marselan wine Chinese wine authority Professor Li Demei hosted a full-house masterclass dedicated to the variety during ProWein 2017 Learn about the origin and character of the variety and try six quality Chinese wines made from it The Marselan grape is a crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache created artificially in 1961 by Professor Paul Truel in association with French research institutions INRA and ENSAM Marselan was born in the Vassal Winery on the coast of the Mediterranean receiving its name from the local town Marseillan plant breeding has played an important part in agricultural production The most straight-forward method is to nurture and multiply the plants that already have the desirable qualities A more complex approach is to identify different varieties that each have some unique advantages The aim is to create off-springs that have inherited the most desirable qualities from both parents The process can be manipulated and controlled Marselan was created by artificially crossing two well-known varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache It is an important achievement in the modern efforts to breed quality wine grapes featuring desirable characters including big fruit bunch small berries and good resistance to diseases while resistance to disease means better chance of harvesting healthy fruits Small berries mean higher proportion of skins deeper colours and more tannin to the wine From its big fruit bunches and small berries deep-coloured wines with soft tannins and good ageability The wine world has experienced rapid development and changes in the last 50 years complex and perfectionist Old World style is met with the innovative The New World finds its roots in the Old World which is governed by strict laws and regulations The New World displays a more approachable image with its creativity and diverse styles The Old World and the New World are constantly learning from and influenced by each other it is designed for Languedoc of France with its resistance to heat and diseases the variety started to be planted widely in Southern Rhone French official figures show that the total planting of Marselan in 2006 was 1,356ha growing fast to 2,375ha in 2009 and 3,423ha in 2011 due to the strict production laws in France new varieties don’t usually have much chance to shine; hence the immigration of Marselan to the free New World The variety is also found in Spain and California alcoholic beverages have played an important part in Chinese culture have left unique footprints in the river of time The advent of modern winemaking in China came 100 years ago China has so far established nearly 1000 wineries across almost every province of the country thousands of imported wines coming from many countries are also available in the booming Chinese market nowadays From business meetings to everyday drinking wine is gradually becoming the drink of choice for many Chinese people China’s Ministry of Agriculture dispatched a delegation to France The visit led to a Sino-French wine planting and production project in Huailai which later became ‘Domaine Franco Chinois’ Marselan was first introduced to Chinese vineyards in 2001 As the chief winemaker of Domaine Franco Chinois I was fortunate to initiate the introduction of the variety The first patch of Marselan planting was merely 2.75ha The dry and hot 2003 was the first vintage The wine immediately attracted wide interest from trade as well as many newly established wineries in China worked with a French nursery and introduced Marselan in Penglai Helan Mountain East of Ningxia and Yanqi Basin of Xinjiang have started to plant Marselan China has over 4000mu (267ha) of Marselan plantings most of which are located in the south of Xinjiang Marselan still only accounts for a small percentage of China’s enormous grape plantings wines made from Marselan have received several awards in wine competitions these years Quality winemaking combined with unique varietal characters is considered as the key reason behind its increased recognition in the market ProWein is one of the most influential wine fairs in the world As an essential ‘window’ to display the art every year it gathers thousands of wine lovers trade professionals and investors from around the world I chose six quality Marselan wines from six boutique Chinese wineries for ProWein Through these wines I would like to showcase the fast-paced development and the vibrant image of Chinese wine industry While the wine producing countries in the world are categorised as either the Old World or the New World the first half of Chinese modern wine history was more similar to that of the ‘Old World’ when wine production was huge but with a fixed style and limited variation during this period The Chinese wine industry nowadays is more similar to the New World More and more boutique wineries have emerged leading the industry into an era of creativity and diversity Marselan has been the best witness to the revolutionary transition period of Chinese wine industry I believe the potential of Marselan lies in its high productivity as well as its potential to be made into different styles I hope the variety will bring us a brand new perspective of Chinese wines in the near future No part of this publication may be reproduced distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Decanter Only Official Media Partners (see About us) of DecanterChina.com may republish part of the content from the site without prior permission under strict Terms & Conditions. Contact china@decanter.com to learn about how to become an Official Media Partner of DecanterChina.com Sign in to comment Italy’s sparkling wines are the perfect match for the celebratory gatherings that abound at this time of year and the breadth of their food pairing possibilities might just surprise you Half a century of passion and commitment for a project that set a new benchmark in Rioja.. Good wine is something to celebrate but as any wine lover knows A unique project from the Ontañón Family that draws both viticultural and poetic inspiration from the voices of the River Duero Marseillan | Hedonistic meals | Vaccine hope | Camelia bush is in flower | Widowed housework Hardly is the blood dry on the Brexit deal than the naughty French are making fools of us. The “Fizz de Provence” made with Noilly Prat and “local flavours” from the “pretty seaside village of Marseillan in Provence”, concocted by the founder of a Paris cocktail bar (Cocktail of the week: fizz de Provence – recipe Lemons and tinned olives are not local to the neighbourhood as any French cocktail expert would surely know.Brian SmithBerlin The “single hedonistic mouthful” that is a roast ortolan was the centrepiece of François Mitterrand’s last meal (Foie gras, truffles, birds drowned in brandy: a menu fit for Queen Victoria He is said to have followed convention and covered his head with a white napkin as he ate whether to capture the unique aroma or to hide in shame is not recorded The former French president ate nothing more until his death a few days later on 8 January 1996.Suzy Powling Leiston You publish a daily update on Covid cases and deaths How about publishing figures on the cumulative numbers of people vaccinated That would lighten the gloom a little.Roderick MacFarquharEdinburgh While I am used to seeing letters to the Guardian in early spring confirming the first daffodils or first bumblebee etc imagine my surprise to notice that on Christmas Day my pink camelia bush is in flower I shall put this down to global warming unless anyone has a better explanation.Sally HaylockHorsted Keynes Once widowed, there was hoovering, changing sheets, washing the kitchen floor, only to find they all had to be done again six months later (Letters, 29 December)!Roy ArnoldTenterden, Kent I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice There’s a kaleidoscope of life and cultures around the Etang de Thau this shimmering stretch of water is one of the largest lagoons on the Mediterranean shores The area is variously a haven of great seafood charming villages and wonderfully colourful traditions there are plenty of very productive vineyards for here you can visit an oyster farm and also sample the famous Noilly Prat vermouth Just outside the sleepy village of Marseillan Stéphane Saez runs La Grande Bleue oyster farm – which you approach through vineyards that seem to be planted into the lagoon itself Stéphane explains to visitors that because the Canal du Midi empties into the lagoon nearby part-salty water that is richly beneficial for growing oysters These are complex creatures to farm: they are grown on strings; they change sex every year; and the water quality is tightly controlled in order to meet the strict requirements of the renowned AOC Bouzigues label under which oysters in this area are marketed The absorbing afternoon tour culminates with a tasting accompanied by a glass of the local Picpoul de Pinet white wine which is a particularly good match with seafood By the lovely old harbour of Marseillan you’ll learn how the lagoon environment is also integral to Noilly Prat which has been produced here for more than 160 years The vermouth is made with two types of white wine that are matured indoors for eight months and then left in barrels outside for a year the wines are blended and infused with herbs A tour through this attractive old winery ends with a tasting of the original clear aperitif – the slightly sweeter red vermouth or amber Noilly Prat that is available only from the Marseillan headquarters The Marseillan Plage resort is several kilometres south Stretching east beyond it lies the narrow bank of the lagoon At the far eastern end the lively little town of Sète is set at the foot of Mont St Clair It was purpose-built as a port in the 17th century and its elegant town buildings are laid out along a series of canals – so you may feel as if you’ve reached a French version of Venice here Wander the canals of the centre to take in the bustling atmosphere of the water traffic and to see fishing boats coming and going Take a cruise around town or into the lagoon then make your way to the top of Mont St Clair (it’s a short drive or a steep walk up more than 400 steps from the heart of town) From this vantage point you variously gaze over the sea the terracotta roofs of town and the oyster farms of the lagoon About one third of the residents are descendants of Italian settlers (from Naples rather than Venice) and this is reflected in the cuisine: try a tielle a sort of pasta pie with a picquant squid-and-tomato filling which is a local version of pasta with meatballs This spirited town is also renowned for the tradition of water jousting – a striking spectacle and a serious sport in which contestants attempt to knock each other off long platforms extending from boats Tournaments take place in the summer on the Canal Royal there’s a party atmosphere during much of the summer with a number of festivals held around town – among them are celebrations of photography in May; French song in June; jazz in July; and world music in August a few kilometres north of Sète you reach the spa town of Balaruc–les-Bains It was the Romans who first started using the warm thermal springs here for the curative treatments and therapeutic sessions and today the town is the third largest spa resort in France The mineral mud treatments here are said to be particularly effective against rheumatism and arthritis visit the picturesque adjoining village of Balaruc-le-Vieux an ancient medieval settlement that still retains its circular defensive walls seaside sport and historic charm around the market town of Frontignan which adjoin the Etang de Thau by way of the Canal du Rhône à Sète Frontignan in many respects offers the best of all worlds Its medieval heart centres on a lovely 12th-century church while its lagoon shores present 7km of golden beaches There are four well-equipped campsites here and a bustling marina on the other side of the waters stretch the tranquil parkland and vineyards of the Gardiole hills What to do and see La Grande Bleue Oyster and Mussel Farm, Mas 778, Lieu-dit la Fadeze, 34340 Marseillan (00 33 4 67 53 14 91; conchyliculture.com) Guided visits around the farm are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4pm €6 including a tasting of mussels and oysters and a glass of white wine Noilly Prat, 1 Rue Noilly, 34340 Marseillan (00 33 4 67 77 75 19; noillyprat.com) Guided visits March to November daily between 10am-11am and 2.30-4.30pm (and until 7pm in the summer); adults €3.50 Cruises are available around Sète and the lagoon with Circuit Canaux et Etangs (00 33 4 67 74 35 30) and Sète Croisières (00 33 4 67 46 00 46; sete-croisieres.com) which has boats with viewing galleries below the surface 34110 Frontignan (00 33 4 99 04 05 53; lepoissonrouge34.fr) The menu of this bright new restaurant emphasises seafood Terre et Mer, 28 promenade JB Marty, Place du Cap St Louis, 34200 Sète (00 33 4 67 74 49 43; restaurant-terreetmer.com) An intimate and good-value restaurant serving beautifully presented cuisine based on local ingredients Where to stay Port Rive Gauche, Rue des Pêcheurs, Marseillan Port, 34340 Marseillan (00 33 4 67 11 87 15; garrigaeresorts.com) The 11 apartments have terraces with great views Grand Hôtel Sète, 17 Quai de Tassigny, 34200 Sète (00 33 4 67 74 71 77; legrandhotelsete.com) This elegant Belle Époque building in the heart of town has 43 comfortable rooms Hôtel Mercure Sète-Balaruc-les-Bains, Ave des Hespérides, 34540 Balaruc-les-Bains (00 33 4 67 51 79 79; mercure.com). Newly renovated, this 86-room hotel has a swimming pool and courtyard restaurant and is close to the new O’balia spa. Doubles from €70 without breakfast. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Lennie Lee in his house full of art Pic: Jimena Marseillan but to an art collection of more than 5,000 pieces The original shoebox filled up so rapidly that he soon had to swap it for a large wooden trunk and began throwing everything in there: posters “I collected them with no thoughts about the purpose of it.” “People throw their work away for a lot of reasons,” he says “It’s healthy to get rid of things and I know that I’m doing the opposite We need to preserve the story of counterculture.” An aptly unconventional life-journey brought him to this house of art Lee came to London as an infant and was schooled at the prestigious Dulwich College – “A traditional rather militaristic school which I disliked intensely The children were rather anti-Semitic as well” ­­– then studied at Oxford and a spell fumbling around the streets of Europe sleeping rough by night and hanging around museums by day “I was close to a nervous breakdown,” Lee remembers of this period in Europe “I felt I needed to do something to express myself.” Finally finding himself in Dalston.“I found this house empty with no roof Lee had landed right in the centre of a vibrant creative scene Dalston in the 198os was a maze of empty buildings and artists were busy taking them over turning them into squats and make-shift studios “This was my true education as an artist,” he remembers “I was in a rubbish dump and had this idea that I was a kind of ‘urban-primitive’ and I tried to think about what a primitive artist living in London would do: decorate his car and his house do ritualistic performances about things that were taboo my fetish is collecting art from the margins Art from the outside: what I call counterculture a collector of what others may consider garbage artists would paint murals on the walls of the house After it was finished they would be painted all white again the building acted as a free gallery; Lee refused to charge a commission fee the artists appreciated him and started giving him their art “People would come all dressed up and play roles The parties were usually based on themes that were taboo ‘Ministry of the Silly Weddings’ – because at the time everyone was getting married for passports or Visas,” Lee laughs a documentary was made about them for Channel 4: The Wonderful World of Lennie Lee Standing in the middle of a room completely packed with well-folded paintings inside plastic bags and boxes with dozens of folios with codes and letters it is clear to see that things have changed since those chaotic party days The house itself is a work of art: its windows and doors are painted different colours and inside there is not one centimetre of white wall objects; and everything has a story behind it A handwritten manifesto on one of the walls or used as napkins on the kitchen table: pick it out of the bin evict it from under the bed and collect it all together.” Lee underwent an operation for a serious heart defect and was warned he might not live much longer “The idea of going to work and then retiring at 65 didn’t exist for me because I thought I would be dead before that,” he says I’m going to start to build the collection for the Museum of Underground Culture.’ Then I changed the name to Counterculture because I thought it was more inclusive.” Lee’s collection has increased from 2,000 art pieces – most of them unsigned – to 5,000 he has more than 2,000: “The signature is very important because that’s what will preserve the value of its existence because they think their work speaks for themselves.” he says: “I collect art as people collect pebbles or sometimes I find pieces literally in empty spaces “I have work from a person who is convicted for murder there are no rules of how I built up my collection except one: I don’t buy art from galleries for large amounts of money ‘Give me what you would like to give me’ is what I say to them I would like to re-write history in favour of the ‘little people” Some of the pieces he has collected are now worth thousands of pounds: “If there was a certificate of authenticity I could actually know the price of the paintings because I know how much their original paintings cost nowadays,” he says showing the work of artists including Martin Maloney and David Burrows Lee has also exhibited his own work in a number of UK institutions including the Barbican Art Centre the Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Tate Gallery: the outsider accepted into the mainstream “My dream is that I would have assembled a wonderful collection of art that would be made by the generosity of the artist that contributed to it I’ll be proud to have been the instigator of it I hope that at some point it will find a home where it can be exhibited but will they go for a stunning marina apartment or a town house with a fantastic roof terrace that's been reduced by nearly £30,000 Hackney University Technical College Pic: Jimena Marseillan A low student intake this year has forced the decision to close Hackney University Technical College (HUTC) just two years after it opened its gates to students The decision comes after the failure of the school- the first of the government’s technical colleges in London – to anticipate that students are unlikely to change school until sixth form Located near Old Street’s ‘Silicone Roundabout’ HUTC offered a curriculum with a digital media production focus for 14 – 19 year olds it received only 29 applications for September 2014 falling well short of its original target of 75 “The provision commencing in Year 10 rather than Year 12 does not fit well in local circumstances unique to this project,” said Anthony Painter “Students are unlikely to change course until sixth form.” In February 2014, an Ofsted report said that the Hackney-based school required improvements in many areas with standards in maths and history “not as high as they could be.” last month an Ofsted inspection stated that there had been good progress accomplished by Hackney UTC “I am proud of what has been achieved by the principal staff and students of Hackney UTC and we will continue that good work on behalf of our current students,” said Painter “Their work has laid the foundations for an exciting local education offer.” Current students will be able to continue with their classes until the end of Year 11 in order to complete their GCSEs exams in 2015 the Marketing & Communications Assistant Director at Hackney Community College (HCC) said: “The continued success of the current students is a very high priority They will be fully supported in achieving their full potential” The future of the HUTC building is still under review by Hackney Community College and the Department for Education Categories France I have to admit that I’d never heard of Marseillan France I’ve heard about the gritty and grandiose port city of Marseille Marseillan is nothing like what I imagined There’s no over the top glitz or glamour like you’d associate with the South of France but it’s also at the southern entry point of the Canal du Midi which help run this site at no extra cost to you I had the opportunity of starting my luxury barge cruise aboard the Athos in Marseillan Once I boarded the barge and had a glass of wine with my fellow passengers I decided to walk around and explore the village of Marseillan on my own we woke up in Marseillan and participated in a couple of activities You can easily visit Marseillan in a day. However, you can choose to extend your holiday by going to the beach at Marseillan Plage, about 3km outside of Marseillan Ville. Whether you decide to book a hotel in Marseillan or visit from a canal cruise you’re certain to be charmed and enchanted by this beautiful little town Here are 5 reasons to visit Marseillan France Marseillan port was originally founded by the Romans (the ancient road, Via Domitia was nearby) as a rest and recreation area There are lots of small sailboats docked along the edge of the water Walk from one end of the boardwalk to the other Stare out to the deep blue waters and faraway coastlines Definitely go for a stroll around the port region There are numerous restaurants and cafes by the water with idyllic little patios Sit by the port with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee with the sun shining over you and a gentle breeze flowing through your hair The prices here are much cheaper than other ritzy areas of the South of France There aren’t nearly the amount of tourists here – it’s a mix of local residents and visitors from houseboats on the Canal du Midi It’s easy to make little discoveries around the Marseillan port There’s an interesting work of public art I enjoyed watching people take their little dogs for walks along the waterfront or engaging in pleasant conversations I think my favorite aspect of visiting the Marseillan village was wandering around town I walked up and down each street and narrow alleyway even if it’s just a few planters lining a railing or flower pots on a balcony The middle of the village lies within the old town walls This was a fortified village until the 18th century There haven’t been any new buildings constructed in the Marseillan village since the 17th century Some of the homes here date back to the 12th century It really has remained mostly unchanged as centuries have passed making it like walking through a living museum I wandered all over the Marseillan village I was so surprised that there really weren’t any other people around as I admired this charming place I’m so used to crowds of people whenever I travel The main attraction in Marseillan is La Maison Noilly Prat Noilly Prat Marseillan makes their vermouth using traditional methods dating back over 200 years I definitely recommend taking a historic guided tour It’s incredible that their methods haven’t changed much since 1813 We took a tour through the giant barrel cellar They age Mistelles wines for up to 12 months in these huge barrels we were led outdoors to a place called L’Enclos We discovered hundreds of barrels sitting out in the sunshine It’s quite amazing that these dry white wines are left to the elements to age for 12 months I’ve never seen anything quite like it we went to another room indoors where the dry white wines and a combination of 20 dried herbs and spices are blended and macerated to create Noilly Prat there was a display of some of the spices that go into each variety of Noilly Prat (there are four in total) I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of hard alcohol but I can appreciate the interesting methods behind this one we went to the larger (and beautifully designed) tasting room for a Noilly Prat cocktail There’s also an outdoor courtyard where you can enjoy your cocktail beneath an umbrella or out in the sunshine It’s worth a trip to La Maison Noilly Prat even if you aren’t in love with liquor Its history is very intriguing and the property is stunning Looking for more cute towns in the South of France? Check out my day trips to Pézenas, Narbonne, Minerve and Capestang Have you heard of petanque I didn’t know anything about this game before my Athos cruise Pétanque (boules) is similar to bocce but played with metal balls on a gravel surface One person throws the “piglet” Players try to throw their metal ball the closest to the piglet you can try to hit your opponents’ balls out of the way as a part of the strategy it’s common to gather your friends together to play a game of petanque We played petanque while sipping glasses of rosé It’s the perfect spring and summertime activity While you might have to gather your own group together and bring your own set of boules maybe you’ll make some friends in Marseillan who will challenge you to a game I hope you have the chance to play petanque Marseillan France is at the southern entry point of the Canal du Midi. The Canal du Midi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating history This 360 km network of waterways links the Mediterranean and the Atlantic through locks The Canal du Midi was constructed between 1667 and 1694 If you have your own boat or you’re sailing on a barge cruise you might stop at Marseillan for a day or two like I did your relaxing vacation from Marseillan continues on the water There’s nothing like drifting down the canal It’s a very slow and restorative way of life You can see all of my Marseillan photos at our travel photo site You can buy prints and housewares made from any of our pictures – click the ‘Buy’ button on any photo have I convinced you to travel to Marseillan in the South of France Definitely add this one to your South of France travel itinerary and plans but often those can be the best places to visit I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns Cruising the Canal du Midi Aboard the Athos Luxury Barge Visit Pezenas France: Exploring this Beautiful Historic Town in the South of France Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" I'm a part-time traveler and full time travel blogger and content creator I love writing about outdoor adventures and nature Justin Plus Lauren is one of the first vegan travel blogs I've been vegan since 2009 and vegetarian all my life I love sharing the best vegan food from around the world in my guides I'm also very passionate about sustainable travel and responsible wildlife tourism You'll only find ethical travel experiences on this website You can learn more about me here. I also own a second blog called Ontario Hiking Contact Lauren at justinpluslauren@gmail.com © 2025 Justin Plus Lauren | Privacy Policy