View of Nizas
View of Nizas
Nestling in a quiet valley, Nizas is the classic image of a southern French village. A short walk brings you to a unique plateau where the air is so clear you can often see the Pyrénees over 140 miles away. The village is small (around 500 people), yet a busy and important one. Situated on the ancient (pre Roman) road from the Mediterranean to the only pass through the mountains to the North. Nizas has been host to merchants and pilgrims for thousands of years.
Nizas celebrates its past with traditional
festivals from its patron saint on March 1st to the celebration
of the new wines in October and November. Every festival is an
excuse for the villagers to have a meal and to drink the local
wines together and all visitors are made welcome. For example,
the fête in August lasts three days and ends with a meal in the
square for everyone. As usual wine is plentiful and good, you can
eat drink and dance until dawn for a few francs (the ticket in
1998 was 60f). For centuries wine production has been an
important occupation of the people in this region. The soil and
climate are perfect for growing some of the finest wines in the
world and recent investment and expertise are producing wines of
exceptional quality and variety. 
Within easy cycling range you have other villages, each with their own individual character and wines. Slightly further, 30 mins by car, are caves, grottos, and rock formations unique in Europe. Sports for all tastes are nearby, energetic white water canoeing, paragliding and rock climbing or golf, hill walking and tennis if you prefer. You can even fly in to the airfield just outside Nizas on the plateau, or you can take flying, gliding or helicopter lessons at the local airclub. The Mediterranean beaches are a 30 minute drive and cater for all tastes. Nizas is in the middle of one of the most beautiful regions in France. To the north is the Herault National Park with forests, mountains and lakes, to the south, the Mediterranean with miles of clean beaches and some of the oldest ports in the world such as Agde and Sête or new exciting resorts such as La Grande Motte and Cap d’Agde all within 45 minutes drive.
Although it is so close to the Mediterranean, mainly because it is such a successful wine growing area, Nizas has not become spoilt as a tourist village. The large village shop sells most things needed for the home and a good selection of fresh food and vegetables, the village café welcomes all and if you need help ask at the town hall (marie) just next to the café. For souvenirs, cafés and restaurants Pezenas is only a 10 minute drive (4 miles) and is worth a visit. Beziers is 25 minutes and Montpellier or Narbonne 45 minutes drive. Further afield, Spain is less than 2 hours drive. The Pyrenees, Andorra, Carcassonne, Toulouse, Nimes, Avignon and Marseille can all be visited in a day (not the same day).
Nizas Carnival 1998
The region is so much a part of the history of the western world that it is impossible not to feel close to the many people who came to live here over the centuries, people from Carthage, Ancient Greece, Rome, the Saracens and the Knights Templar. The Templars and the Cathars built many magnificent fortresses and fortified towns, in this region, which can be visited. There are still ‘mysteries’ surrounding some of the sites. Evidence of pre-historic iron age, bronze age and stone age settlements can be found all around Nizas, walks and trails are clearly marked. Even older, 55 million years older, there are fossil beds in Nizas known to a few local people where you can pick up fossil oyster shells as big as your hand. Important finds are still being made - a nest of dinosaur eggs has recently been discovered nearby and you can visit this site all through the year.
Food is, as you would expect in France, good and varied. Being so close to the sea, local dishes are usually seafood or shellfish. But being in the middle of so many rich cultures you have the choice of different cuisines at very reasonable prices. France boasts a different cheese for every day of the year.
Other Points of Interest Car hire can be arranged locally although you can usually get a better rate by booking in advance, travel insurance is also recommended. Back to Home Page