Meze, France

Saturday, 9am

Check in at Mèze Maison (2 Rue Francois Besse, 34140 Mèze, www. mezemaison.com). A double in this elegant 19th-century wine trader’s mansion, pictured, a five-minute walk from Mèze’s small beach and restaurant-lined harbour, costs from £81 through www.thehotelguru.com.

10am

Visit Mèze’s own Jurassic Park, the Musée-parc Dinosaures (D613, 34140 Mèze, www.dinosaure.eu; €9.80)

11am

Still in the past, tour the remains of a Roman villa at Loupian (www.villa. culture.fr, guided tours at 11am; €5).

1pm

Sample the lagoon’s famed shellfish at Atelier & Co (Zone Conchylicole Ouest, 34140 Loupian, www. ateliernco.com) where a dozen oysters, six mussels and a glass of local Picpoul de Pinet costs €15.

2pm

Visit the Étang de Thau Museum, Bouzigues (www.bouzigues.fr/ musee) for a peek into the history of the oyster capital of the Med.

6pm

Enjoy an apéro with genial hosts Rob and Jason in Mèze Maison’s lounge.

8pm

Dinner at lively bistro L’eau Sel, a three-minute stroll from Mèze Maison.

Sunday, 9am

Browse the market on Rue Sadi Carnot for arts, crafts and produce.

10:30am

Borrow one of Mèze Maison’s bikes to ride to Chateau Saint Martin de la Garrigue (D613, 34530 Montagnac, www.stmartingarrigue.com) to sample Coteaux du Languedoc.

12:30pm

Lunch at L’oscarine (Place des Tonneliers, 34140 Mèze), where the plat du jour costs from €17.

2:30pm

Spend the afternoon lazing on Mèze’s La Plagette beach.

6:30pm

Take a cruise on the lagoon Mansathau (38 Blvd. Du Port, 34140 Mèze, www.mansathau.com; €10).

Monday, 8:30pm

Check out and head for Béziers and your flight home. ■

Robin Gauldie