Specialties from the Herault

  • Oreillettes, delicious crispy cookies made from donut dough sprinkled with sugar
  • Tielles Setoise, the tielle is to Sète what the baguette is to France and originally comes from Italy. A savory bread dough pie filled with a mixture of seafood such as octopus, tomato puree, onions, peppers and white wine.
  • Petits patés de Pezenas, small pastries that combine sweet and spicy. It is shaped like a spool of thread. They are served warm at the beginning of the meal.

Wining & Dining

In a country as large as France with diverse climatic zones and regions from north to south, each with their own gastronomic specialties, it is no wonder that French cuisine is quite varied.

The Herault has a rich tradition in this. Local recipes passed down from generation to generation and a wide range of fresh regional products ensure culinary delights. Olives, local cheeses such as pélardons from the Cévennes, fresh fish, crustaceans and shellfish, sun-ripened vegetables and fruit... it makes your mouth water and makes ityou relise that you are in the middle of the Mediterranean.

An extensive lunch, a good habit!
In fact, for most French people, lunch is the most important meal and a nice resting point of the day. From 12 o'clock the terraces slowly fill up and around one o'clock there is even a chance that there will no longer be a table available. In that case, it is wise to make a reservation. Around two o'clock the kitchen closes and peace is restored.

Lunch is usually a 'menu du jour', a three- or four-course meal with a limited choice. What the chef has on the menu that day is announced on a chalkboard. After the starter it mainly revolves around meat or fish with pasta, fries or potatoes on the one hand and vegetables on the other. Finally, a cheese platter and/or dessert to round off with a nice cup of strong coffee. Not unimportant; lunch is not expensive. Count on 12 to 18 euros. The French usually drink water with it, but tourists certainly go for a fresh glass of wine.

Dinner, an evening of enjoyment!
The French don't eat until late at night, around eight o'clock. That's a bit of a problem if you're used to have diner around 6 o'clock, but you can often arrive from half past seven. Dinner isn't really that different from lunch. There are usually a number of four or five course menus offered between 21 and 30 euros. In addition, you can also simply eat à la carte.

Food and drink are an important part of the culture in France. There are many restaurants, from good but simple to excellent and exclusive. There are several restaurants in the vicinity of Villa d'illouvre where you can indulge yourself in culinary delights.