Caux
On Wednesday 21 October at 6 pm, the heritage association Les Amis du clocher et du patrimoine de Caux hosts a talk by Dominique Ganibenc on the "châteaux pinardiers" at the François-Rabelais media library.
Source : lesamisduclocherdecaux.com →
1 letter a month, the first at the end of October: what’s on during the autumn half-term (Toussaint), addresses around the Thau lagoon and walk ideas. Free.
Run for more than 90 years by the Escolo dai Sarret with the Belles Agathoises, this festival brings folk groups and brotherhoods together around wine freshly drawn from the vats. Sunday’s programme: a costumed parade from the Musée Agathois at 10am, the New Wine mass at Saint-Étienne cathedral with the song “Lou Vi Nouvel”, a grape offering, then folk dancing on the Promenade at 2.30pm, all free of charge.
From 17 to 31 October, the Cistercian abbey of Valmagne, founded in 1139, runs "Octobre à Valmagne": meetings with craftspeople in the Gothic naves, games and afternoon snacks for families, and lantern-lit night tours by reservation.
On Fridays 23 and 30 October, from 10 to 11:30 am, a free guided tour leaves the Vias tourist office to tell the story of the Canal du Midi, the Libron works and the engineers behind them. Groups are limited to 30 people.
What to do this weekend? Autumn & half-term
The festival opens on 10 October with a “La Traviata, from Dumas to Verdi” gala at the Foyer des Campagnes. The week continues with “Sacre Mozart” by the Toulouse Chamber Orchestra, a Little Prince musical tale, a lyric gala, a jazz night and the master-class final concert on the 18th; the two Apér’Opéra events are free.
On Saturday 17 October, guide-lecturer Ronan Jahény shows visitors around the Cassan priory, between monastic heritage and princely residence. The tour takes place in the afternoon; adult tickets cost €16 (€10 for students, jobseekers and people with reduced mobility, free under 7).
From 23 October to 1 November, the 6th Temps d'Expo festival fills the lanes, squares and mansions of Pézenas with work by established and emerging photographers. Guest of honour Trinley Paris shows at the Hôtel Flottes de Sébasan, and free walks let visitors meet the photographers.