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Visit a Picturesque Fishing Village in Languedoc

Bages Offers Spectacular Coastal Scenery and Historic Architecture

Jan 21, 2009 Rod Quin

One of the most beautiful villages in the Aude department of France' s Languedoc region, Bages is perfect for day trips from Narbonne, Montpellier or Carcassonne.

Just 8 kilometres south of Narbonne, the coastal village of Bages is perched dramatically on a cliff top overlooking the Étang de Bages et de Sigean, a peaceful lagoon of the Mediterranean Sea. With a population of just 760 inhabitants, Bages is a compact village founded in the eleventh century which retains its medieval walls and gateway. Photographs illustrating the history of the village and its inhabitants decorate its narrow cobbled streets which also offer splendid views over the lagoon.

Boats and fishing nets on the beach below testify to Bages’ intimate relationship with the sea. The lagoon is also home to a wealth of bird life including flocks of beautiful pink flamingos.

Bages is an easy day trip from Narbonne and is also worth considering for excursions from Montpellier or Carcassonne.

Things to Do in Bages

The village church, St Martin de Bages, was built in the thirteenth century and renovated in the seventeenth century.
Bages boasts two art galleries, L'Etangd'Art (8 rue de l'ancien puits) and La Maison des Arts (8 rue des Remparts).
The restaurants Le Portanel (tel 04 68 42 81 66) and La Table du Pêcheur (tel 04 68 41 15 11 ) specialise in the seafood of the region and offer beautiful views over the lagoon.
Café Les Beaux Arts (tel 04 68 42 55 66) is located in a colourful, rustic building on the main square in the heart of the village.
Picnic supplies can be purchased from an epicerie on the main square.
A picnic area and playground for children are provided on the edge of the lagoon.
The area surrounding the lagoon is perfect for hiking or leisurely strolls, with a causeway across the lagoon linking Bages with the neighbouring fishing village of Peyriac de Mer.

How to Get to Bages by Bus

Bages can be reached by bus from Narbonne on the Ligne 10 bus to Bages and Peyriac Sur Mer.
Buses depart from the Mediatheque on Ave Ferederic Mistral. They can also be boarded at the Gare Routiere, the Gare SNCF, La Poste and Les Halles.
Buses leave Narbonne for Bages weekdays at 11.05, 12.05, 16.05, 17.05, 18.05 and 19.05, and on Saturdays at 12.05, 16.05, 17.05, and18.05.
The journey to Bages takes approximately 30 minutes.
Buses return from Bages weekdays at 7.15, 8.10. 9.10, 13.10 and 17.55, and on Saturdays at 7.15, 8.10, 9.10 and 13.10.

How to Get to Bages By Car

Take the D6009 (N9) south from Narbonne and turn off on to the D105.

The copyright of the article Visit a Picturesque Fishing Village in Languedoc in W Europe Travel is owned by Rod Quin. Permission to republish Visit a Picturesque Fishing Village in Languedoc in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Bages