::Le Mag Group:: November Events In The Herault

November Events In The Herault, Nov 05

Every season has its flavour and this month in the Herault, it’s time to think cevenol chestnuts… topped off with a fine red wine of course. I have yet to discover the difference between a châtaigne and a marron; they both seem to produce the same range of yummy sweet desserts or thick rich soups – perfect for the cold days of November. The Foire aux Chataignes in Lodeve, the Fete de la Chataigne in Saint Etienne d’Albagnan and the Fete du Marron et du vin nouveau at Olargues or the Grand Marché Cevenol at Le Poujol sur Orb, are sure to be great foodie days out.

If chestnuts aren’t your thing, why not try the celebrated navet noir – this black turnip is considered enough of a delicacy to merit its own fete on November 15 at Pardailhan. It’s in a lovely part of the Herault and worth the journey just to explore the countryside.
The countdown to Christmas has already begun and the Marchés de Noel start to appear at the end of November. For a touch of Southern French culture then make sure you visit one of the Santons and Crèches events. They are a ubiquitous part of the French festive season, just like good food. Children love the miniature figures, traditionally representing different crafts.
My favourite event has to be the La fête des vignes et du vin on the Place de La Comedie, Montpellier. There is something deliciously civilised about sampling wine in the sunshine in one of the most gorgeous cities in France. For a few euros you have a glass, some tickets and a bevy of top-notch wine-producers before you. It’s a wonderful way to find out more about the fabulous wines of this region and to meet the producers.
Here are the best of this month’s events in the Herault – enjoy!
Food and Drink
Fête du Marron et du vin nouveau
1-2 November
Olargues
04 67 97 71 26
7th edition of the Rencontres en Minervois
24 October – 5 November
40 artists, regional chefs and wine growers from the Minevois appellation organise exhibitions, foodie walks and musical evenings; there’s a wealth of wine-focused events. It kicks off with a weekend of tastings and walks in the terroir between Siran and Homps. The actor Jean Claude-Dreyfus will be present with a mini-film festival running at the same time.
www.les-grands-chemins.com
04 68 91 81 43
Foire aux châtaignes
8 November
Lodeve
04 67 88 86 19
Couleurs et senteurs de la Garrigue
Artisan produced food and products
Montoulieu
04 67 73 00 56
Fête de la Chataigne
15 November
Saint Etienne d’Albagan
04 67 97 14 92
“Lo Nap” from Pardailhan : A Slowfood festival
15 November
Market, animations and tastings all based around the Pardailham Navet
Pardailhan celebrates its very own navet noir (sort of a black turnip !) with unique characteristics : a melt-in-the-mouth slightly sweet taste with hints of almond and hazelnut. It’s favoured by gourmets and gourmands as well as being a prized ingredient for top-notch chefs. Whether in a sauce, tart, salad… the Pardailhan navet is to discover and savour !
04.67.97.65.44 – www.navet-du-pardailhan.com
*Marché des Gourmets
16 November
CASTRIES
04 99 74 01 77
Marché a la ferme
16 November
Food and drink from the Pic saint-Loup area – lovely red wines guaranteed!
Domaine de Villeneuve, Claret
04 67 59 08 60
La fête des vignes et du vin
28-29 Place de la comedie et 30 November in the domaines
Not to be missed! Wine tasting in the heart of Montpellier, with a souvenir glass and some of the best wine producers in the agglomeration ready to serve you samples of their range of wines. On Sunday you can visit the domaine of your favourite winegrower (subject to times)
Montpellier
www.ot-montpellier.fr
Grand Marché Cévenol
30 November
Le Poujol sur Orb
04 67 95 63 28
Children and family
Looking from somewhere undercover to entertain the children?
Look no further than…
La Serre Amazonie at the Zoo de Lunaret, Montpellier
The Zoo remains the best free outing for the family, open 7 days a week. Lions, bears, monkeys… everything you need! The Amazonian Rainforest Greenhouse is an excellent venue and educational outing for all but has an entrance fee: adults 5 €, reduced prices for children and Carte Agglo holders.
*Acrochats, Odysseum, Montpellier
Acrochats is a French theme park with an indoors playground for children, a café for parents and even spaces for the cherubs to celebrate their birthdays. Hours of fun guaranteed for the children, even on the wettest November day. Check the website for opening times and entry prices.
www.acrochats.com
Exhibitions
Moise Kisling
Paintings
Until 2 November
Final days of this acclaimed exhibition; Kisling was a contemporary of Modigliani, Braque, Picasso and Soutine, amongst others. The exhibition features key works from his debut in Paris in 1910 until the 1950s.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9h30 – 18h
Musée de Lodève, square Georges-Auric, Lodève
04 67 88 86 10
Coquillages & Crustacés
Contemporary Art including Aldo Biascamano and Man Ray
Until 16 November
Open tlj, 10h-12h 14h-18h
MIAM (Musée Internationales d’Art Modeste), 23 quai Maréchal-de-Lattre-de Tassigny, Sète
04 67 18 64 00
Le cimetière marin : Jean-Loup Gautreau
Photography exhibition
Until 23 November
Musée Paul-Valéry, rue François-Desnoyer, Sete
04 67 46 20 98
Sculptures Monumentales
Works by Stéphane Carbonne and other French artists
Until 30 November
La Tour de Nébian, Nébian
04 67 25 27 33
Jacques le Conquérant, Roi d’Aragon
Until 6 December
Open Monday to Saturday 15-18h
Musée Languedocien, ‘Palais Jacques Cœur et des Trésoriers-de-France’, 7 rue Jacques-Cœur, Montpellier
04 67 52 93 03
La vidéo, un art, une histoire 1965 – 2007
25 October 2008 – 18 January 2009
How do they follow the incredible Courbet exhibition? With something completely different and utterly refreshing! This exhibition presents, for the first time, a true history Video art, from 1965 until now. Works from the Pompidou Centre’s collection will be on show in Montpellier. Video records our time, just as photography recorded the 19th century.
Musée Fabre, Montpellier
www.museefabre.montpellier-agglo.com
La Chataigne; De L’Arbre à l’assiette
Until 27 February
Agropolis Museum is renowned for its exhibtions based upon global agriculture. This exhibition about the incredible versatility of the chestnut tree promises to be entertaining.
Agropolis Museum, Montpellier
04 67 04 75 00 www.museum.agropolis.fr
Salons
Equisud
Salon du Cheval EquiSud Montpellier
8 -11 novembre 2008
Equisud is a hugely popular event dedicated to the equestrian world. There are many riding demonstrations, an unimaginable range of horsey gear to buy and entertainment galore for children. This year’s highlight is the a performance by Jean-François Pignon of the stunning show The Pardon on Saturday and Monday evening.
Parc d’exposition, Montpellier
04 67 17 67 17 www.equisud-montpellier.com
12ème Salon des Artisans Créateurs
21- 23 November
One of the major art and craft fairs in the Herault which attracts over 6000 visitors each year. Over 22 different crafts are on show with a fabulous array of goodies to tempt you – just in time for Christmas too. There are fashion shows, workshops for children and demonstrations.
Salle Ramadier, Lodeve
www.horizons-interieurs.com
Walks and Wine walks!
Le rut des mouflon !
9 November 10h30 – 17h30
On the Caroux plateau watch one of the most important moments in the life of a mouflon (mountain sheep) – rutting season!
Rosis, Plateau du Caroux
Inscription obligatory at least 2 days before
CPIE du Haut-Languedoc, 04 67 97 51 16 or www.parc-haut-languedoc.fr
Balade gourmand – Pic Saint Loup
These walks take you though the scented pastures of the garrigue hunting for its edible plants, with tastings and recipes along the way. And of course this being Pic Saint Loup, you’ll meet a winegrower! The walks are a gentle discovery of the Mediterranean countryside in an interesting and entertaining manner.
Sundays November 2 and 16, 14h – 19h
Information and reservations
Florence RICHARD – 06 86 68 79 87 / 04 67 55 36 28 – richard.rene@neuf.fr
Minimum of 6 people needed
Christmas events
It may only be November but the Christmas markets are already starting with each village competing to have the biggest and best…
November 29
Lespignan 04 67 37 02 06
November 30
Le Triadou 04 67 55 25 80
Buzignargues 04 67 86 91 52
Saint-Pons-de-Thomieres 04 67 97 06 65
Bouzigues 04 67 78 30 12
4 – 30 December Montpellier’s huge permanent Christmas fair
*Salon des santons
7-16 November
Exhibition of santons
Castries
04 67 70 37 35
Exposition de crèches
29-30 November
Espace George Brassens, Saint Gely du Fesc
04 67 66 86 08
Journées Santons et Crèches
6-7 December
Exhibition and sale of santons and crèches with the exceptional ‘living’ crèche on Sunday afternoon.
Saint Jean de Cuculles
04 67 55 25 60