Un unforgettable weekend in Occitanie, Provence
Welcome on board
As soon as you reach Cabrières, you see vines that go on and on, peaks on the horizon and winding paths that all form the divine backdrop to the story in which you alone are the hero.
Explore the region on board the Souki Lodges & Spa shuttle at your own pace. While taking your daily walk, take the time to contemplate the incredible landscapes, admire the region’s vegetation, listen to the cicadas singing their summer song and breathe in the scent of the garrigue warmed in the sun. The promise is kept.
While enjoying a feast for your eyes, you are carried beyond the clouds.
Cabrières, authentic, preserved heritage
Cabrières is renowned for its wine terroir, copper mines, peaks as a backdrop and many astounding sites. Its historic heritage and unique geology single it out.
Choosing to stay at Souki Lodges & Spa, means choosing a destination first and foremost.
That of an area where vines have been grown for fifteen centuries, the wines they produce owing their character to the region’s shale soil.
That of an authentic landscape shaped by history and the earth’s natural riches.
That of a picturesque village where wandering and reflecting upon the centuries it has seen go by is an art.
Tucked away in the heart of Hérault, at the foot of the Pic de Vissou and Pioch de la Cisterne, the village of Cabrières provides an exceptional view of the Mont Ventoux, the mountain chain around Les Baux de Provence, vines, woods and garrigues. 2km from the vestiges of the primitive village and the ruins of the old castle, the Cabrières of today was rebuilt in the 17th century around the Saint-Etienne church. Walking through its narrow streets, you’ll come across its church tower, houses with sculpted lintels and mullioned windows, and historic fountain that has been flowing continuously since 1840. In the distance, the statue of the Vierge protects the people of Cabrières. The path to get there follows the hillslope and once there you’ll look out over the century-old trees.
To see in the surrounding area
The natural emblem, Pic de Vissou
Starting out from Cabrières, the Pic de Vissou is a must. Culminating at 482 metres, it’s one of the highest view points in Hérault. The countryside is laid out at its foot like a colourful patchwork all around. Its paths with oak trees here and there, rocky ways and launch strip make it the meeting point for hikers and paragliding or rock climbing enthusiasts. On the way back, stop off at the winemakers’ museographic cellar where you can taste an Estabel wine while learning about the mediaeval history and geology of the Cabrières mountains.
A 100% AOC wine-growing area
The shale soil and Mediterranean sunshine give Cabrières wine all its character. The Coteaux-du-Languedoc AOC is backed onto the Pic de Vissou and made up of grape varieties like Syrah, Carignan, Clairette, Cinsault and Grenache Blanc. The region is renowned for its rosé, and tells its story through its vineyards and four wine tourism routes. You’ll wander through the classified vines and taste the “Estabel vermillion wine” historically well-known for its therapeutic properties. The Sun King drank Cabrières rosé, which gave it a “regally controlled” appellation and makes it part of the region’s unmissable heritage.
The picturesque hamlet of Les Crozes
A narrow path leads you to the hamlet, nestled in the middle of oak and chestnut tree forests. This tucked away private place has been able to preserve its spirit, shingle rooftops, mullioned window, characteristic chimneys and shady square. At the heart of this little haven of peace, the church that was listed as a historical monument in 1980 welcomes pilgrims on the Way of Saint James.
The red earth of the Lac du Salagou
The Lac du Salagou has a palette of unique colours, characterised by its remarkable red earth, named the “ruffe”. The place was created fifty years ago, and is listed today. Whereas anglers wait with their feet in the water for the fish to bite, the watersports centre welcomes those who love sailing, paddleboarding and pedal boats. The banks of the lake suit the pace people want to explore them at, whether by bike, on horseback, or on foot, and continue offering their exceptional panorama. The extra bonus? Souki Lodges & Spa brings electric-assisted bikes for you to use.
The Cirque de Mourèze dolomites
Near the Lac du Salagou, the Cirque de Mourèze puts on a striking show featuring huge rocks with incredible shapes. You adventure into these labyrinths with dolomites towering over you. This natural heritage is in the process of being listed as a Grand Site de France.
The mysteries of the Estabel Waterfall
What makes this spring magical is how it varies so much. One minute it’s a torrent, another its calm. The Estabel mineral spring is a curiosity and one of nature’s treasures. Depending on how the weather has been behaving, magnificent waterfalls or marshy landscapes outline a breathtaking natural limestone panorama.
The 9 locks of Fonsérannes
The locks are iconic, an emblematic structure of the Canal du Midi and the pride of those who live in Béziers. In this decor where waterfalls follow one after the other, the 9 locks form an amazing show brought to life by the complicated manoeuvres the boats make.
The Cabrières copper mines
The Cabrières mountains house the oldest copper mines in France. They may be closed to the public, but professionals continue to appreciate their riches. Inextricably linked with Cabrières, the copper mines have been shaped by the region’s history and the French metalworking industry.
A factory-village, the Villeneuvette Manufacture Royale
In the shadow of century-old plane trees, the former clothmaking factory that became a Manufacture Royale reveals its authentic charm. In the narrow paved streets, the industrial vestiges accommodate the memories of this 17th-century “factory” village with the Dourbie running through it. In the Villeneuvette Manufacture, the workshop ruins and what’s left of the irrigation channels join the little chapel, the engraved pediment of the entrance gate and the bridge of Love listed as historical monuments.