Things To Do
Wine!
Our wedding venue sits in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine growing region of France, famous for their Grenache and Carignan blends. We have read that this is one of the more underrated regions of French wine, accounting for a third of French wine production annually. We are also a day trip away from the Provence (2,600 years of Rosé) and Rhône (Syrah's) regions. There are any number of wine tours available in the region. For those wishing to embark on such, we recommend (responsibly) renting a car or traveling to the larger city of Montpellier via train for a guided tour.
Dylan's Obligatory History Recommendation
Ginestas sits in the heart of historical locations of the Albigensian Crusade, or Cathar Crusade. This 19 year campaign initiated by Pope Innocent III to eliminate the Catharism in southern France resulted in a series of violent inquisitions by the Church and its agents against the Cathar heresy. Despite the campaign, the surrounding area is littered with Cathar fortresses which are some of the more remarkable surviving medieval structures. The story is as fascinating as it is tragic. Of note, the Cathars believed in the physical relationship between Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene and their beliefs played a part in the inspiration for the book The Da Vinci Code.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a fantastic city to spend a few days before or after the wedding. The food, culture, and ease of travel in the city can serve as a fantastic compliment to our wedding. Additionally, the high speed train from Barcelona to Narbonne, along with easy plane travel from the States, can heavily simplify travel plans. We have tons of Barcelona recommendations which we are happy to share. Whether you want to catch a soccer match, relax on the beach, eat your way through the city, or embark on a Gaudí-inspired architecture tour, the city has it all.