Full-Day Private Gourmet Tour to Narbonne & Gruissan

The doors to Les Halles in Narbonne opened in 1901, on Cour Mirabeau facing the Canal de la Robine, and is something of an iconic landmark in the ancient city of Narbonne – First Daughter of Rome. It is here that one of the finest markets in southern France takes place every day of the week.

The list of producers and artisans to be found in Les Halles for a food lover reads a little like the 12 Days of Christmas : 10 butchers, 8 fruit & veg vendors, 7 herbs & spices sellers, 6 fishmongers… the list extends to some 70 stallholders ! And this is where we start our tour. A feast for the eyes, as well as the taste buds, we pay a visit to a ‘traiteur’ for olives, garlic confit, and anchoide tastings; then on to a cheesemonger where we’ll buy a couple of varieties of cheese to take with us to a honey producer, to experience a fabulous taste sensation !

Next stop is a little pre-lunch apéro… accompanied by a plate of fabulous charcuterie. Then we re-join our tour bus, and head down to the coast, passing the lagoons and inland waterways to reach our second stop – the salt pans at Gruissan.

Located at the water’s edge is both our destination for lunch, and the Salt Museum; lunch is a pescatarian’s delight. Oysters and shrimp served up with aioli and fresh bread, and followed by fish, baked in a salt crust and all washed down with a pichet of local white wine. We then stroll across to the salt museum, where amongst the list of little gifts to buy is salt, scented with herbs and spices, salted caramel, and even little salt pigs – how better to remember your day out when you’re back in your kitchen at home? Back on the tour bus, and a short hop to a charming winery in the heart of the La Clape appellation where we learn all about the wines that grow on this stony land. This is where the Romans planted their vines and when you taste these wines you’ll understand why they are so special.

This is a fabulous day in the Languedoc for foodies and wine lovers. Wine.. Salt.. Bread.. Fish.. plus a host of tasty treats along the way, it’s a Roman Holiday a la Francaise.