As 2025 draws to a close, I’m continuing my tradition of reflecting on the year and sharing my favourites. What a year it’s been: I ran a marathon, turned 50 (in that order!), matched new owners with homes and apartments, and watched Chéri’s and my project in Quarante slowly take shape. I also continued leading food tours in Béziers, introducing visitors to the beautiful side of this bustling town.
It’s now been three years since the family and I moved from Cazouls-lès-Béziers to Béziers, and I remain thrilled with our decision. I love visiting France’s most beautiful covered market (yes, it’s right here in Béziers!), running and cycling along the Orb River and Canal du Midi, and enjoying cocktails at Oscars. But there’s so much more to savour in this city that seems to transform by the minute as new projects emerge. It’s exciting to be a small part of it all.
All this exciting hustle and bustle has meant less time for the blog. I’ve visited some new places this year, though I’ve also revisited and updated older articles. Since starting in 2017 (!), I’ve published over 500 posts, many of which needed (and still need) refreshing. I’ve also joined Substack, a social platform for writers that’s still new to me but feels more genuine than other channels, which I’ll be using less frequently. So if you don’t see me on the usual social platforms, check the blog or Substack instead. After my usual January and February break, I’ll be back in March, ready for a new year of exploring!
Below are my 2025 darlings. I hope you’ve discovered many new places as well. Wishing you all the best for the New Year—may it be full of new adventures!
1. Favourite Activity: Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc
A couple of years ago, a friend mentioned she’d run the Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc and found it to be heaps of fun. Her enthusiasm planted a seed; I wanted to experience it, too, someday. So when she bought three tickets and invited me to join her and another friend, I didn’t hesitate. That’s how I ended up running a full marathon dressed as a crab to match the 39th edition’s theme: ‘La Mer’ (The Sea). Passing some twenty prestigious châteaux while fueling up on loads of water (no wine for me…), entrecôte, oysters, and ice cream, I pushed through. I still don’t know how I managed it, but I finally crossed the finish line, well behind my friends, in a whopping 7 hours!
2. Favourite Town: Mèze
On a sun-drenched Thursday in August, I decided to broaden my horizons. I was looking for a lively waterfront town that I didn’t know yet, and that’s how I ended up in Mèze. The hustle and bustle of this town lounging along the Étang de Thau took me by surprise. I soon discovered why parking was nearly impossible and why so many people were about: Thursday is market day! Following the narrow streets into town via the harbor, I wound my way to the Château de Girard before circling back to the Tourist Office at the waterfront. I was utterly charmed by the combination of traditions and water, and everything that comes with it. Where else can you find a pétanque lawn with a view of oyster beds? Mèze captures that perfect blend of authentic local life and seaside charm that makes the Languedoc coast so special.
3. Favourite Wine Estate: Château La Coste in Provence
A holiday in Provence with friends led me to Château La Coste, a winery tucked away in the countryside near Aix-en-Provence. It is a unique place where wine, art, and architecture blend harmoniously with the Provencal landscape. My friends and I booked an art and architecture walk and lunch, and what an experience it turned out to be! Walking through vineyards, olive groves, and woods, we discovered the various installations while enjoying the views of the surrounding scenery. Every artwork is placed in a spot personally picked by the artist, which adds to the impact. Completely taken aback by this cultural overload, we headed to one of the restaurants designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Over a beautiful lunch, we already discussed our next visit.
4. Favourite Hike: Sentier du Littoral
This hike had been on my wish list for a while, so when the family and I spent a little holiday in Collioure, we laced up our hiking boots and set off along the coast to Argelès-sur-Mer. Normally, our teenagers have outgrown hiking with us—except when we’re on holiday! So I was thrilled when all three joined us on the Sentier du Littoral. This coastal path stretches from Argelès-sur-Mer to the border village of Cerbère and even continues to Cadaqués in Spain. We walked just a portion, starting in Collioure and finishing at the port of Argelès-sur-Mer. The views over the stunning landscape and the Mediterranean Sea more than lived up to expectations.
5. Favourite Restaurant: Les Voiles in Portiragnes
I love how going to a beach restaurant around the corner gives me this instant holiday feeling. That’s exactly what happened at Les Voiles in Portiragnes, where all five of us gathered for Sunday lunch with our feet in the sand, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The experience began with checking the menu written on blackboards next to the open kitchen, displayed above the day’s fresh catch. This gave us the perfect excuse to wander around and take in the restaurant’s quirky, charming interior. The food lived up to the setting, and we spent a delightful afternoon at the beach.
6. Favourite Village: Bize-Minervois
It had been a while since Chéri and I visited Bize-Minervois, a charming little village nestled amid vineyards and olive groves overlooking the banks of the Cesse River. Whatever season you visit, it’s always a pleasure to stroll through and experience authentic French life as it’s meant to be. I loved wandering the quaint streets, and because Bize-Minervois is a ‘circulade’ with a circular medieval layout, you automatically end up at the Place de l’Église with its 12th-century church. Following the village’s slow pace left plenty of time to spot the little jokes and quirky touches that inhabitants have placed here and there. It’s also a great base for further exploration: nearby Minerve, L’Oulibo, or a hike to the neighboring village of Montouliers.
7. Favourite Family Trip: Sea Kayaking in Agde
Summer holiday seems endless in France- with the kids home for over two months! Therefore, I wanted to do something that they would like, so it had to involve water. I wanted to test sea kayaking for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity. My family and I tried Bessan Aventure in Cap d’Agde, where we paddled past volcanic rocks and Fort Brescou. We gently took off in the direction of the Plage de la Grande Conque. This is a unique beach, where dark-coloured cliffs form a dramatic contrast with the turquoise blue water of the Med. After a short break, we headed for Fort Brescou, a modest fortification built on part of an ancient underwater volcano. In total, we covered 6 kilometers in about two hours—though it didn’t even feel like it! The trip on the water left us completely revived.
