For buying and selling property in Portiragnes
The French phrase "au fil de l'eau" translates as "at the water's edge", and is an apt expression to describe the old village of Portiragnes, in the Hérault department of Languedoc-Roussillon in the south of France. Portiragnes lies in a picturesque location beside the World Heritage Site of the Canal du Midi, and just a few minutes from the Blue Flag beaches of Portiragnes Plage.
Portiragnes is a beautifully authentic old French village, typical of its region with pretty stone houses, a 12th century church, tree-lined streets and a friendly atmosphere. The village boasts a good complement of local amenities, with handy shops, restaurants and bars all within walking distance of the centre. Fêtes and festivals take place there too, adding local colour and fun to life in Portiragnes.
The lovely Canal du Midi is very much a feature of the village, not only adding a very pretty dimension but also being a perfect place to take a relaxing stroll, watching the holiday boats passing by or even hiring a boat yourself for a leisurely cruise to the sea.
Portiragnes is surrounded by the vineyards that have made the fortunes of the Hérault for many years, and wine tasting (and drinking!) is a favoured pastime for many in this area. There are wine caves in the village and you can visit the wine producers' estates to enjoy guided tours and to discover how the different wines are created.
Portiragnes is the old, inland village which is sometimes confused with the modern, purpose built resort of Portiragnes Plage, just a short distance away. This means that you can enjoy the best of both worlds, with the charming ambience of the original village yet easy access to the lively beach resort. The beaches of Portiragnes Plage are excellent, and have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for cleanliness. There are numerous activities available in Portiragnes Plage, with water sports and beach sports for all ages.
A little further afield you can visit the historic cities of Béziers and Carcassonne, find the forbidding and mysterious ruins of Cathar castles and beautiful monasteries and trace the fascinating history of this region. The more active or daring can try the exciting sports of white water rafting or canyoning in the dramatic gorges of the Pyrénées, enjoy walking, mountain biking or horse-riding in glorious unspoilt countryside or enjoy the popular sport of golf on one of several good courses nearby.
There are a number of airports within reach of Portiragnes, all with direct flights to and from the UK, most offering budget airline flights to keep travel costs low. Béziers is the closest by far, offering flights with Ryanair. Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan and Carcassonne are also within reach. The super efficient TGV runs to Béziers and Montpellier, so you can travel by train should you prefer. Taxis and hire cars are available from both stations. If driving, the A9 motorway will take you close to Portiragnes, which is found from the D612.
Prices of properties close to the Mediterranean coast are usually higher than those found in more inland areas, as the desirability factor is high. Property in and around Portiragnes is subject to this influence, but is still reasonable in comparison with that found in other Mediterranean areas of southern France. It also has a very good rental potential should you wish to recoup some of the costs of purchase by renting the property to holidaymakers during part of the summer.
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Portiragnes is situated near the Mediterranean coast in the south of France. It lies in the south-west of the Hérault department.
Languedoc-Roussillon Property Map
Population: 2,992
Access: By air: Fly to Béziers, Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan or Carcassonne. By rail: Take the train to Béziers or Montpellier. By road: The town is found from the D612, easily accessed from the nearby A9 motorway.
Economy: The economy includes wine, agriculture and tourism.
Interesting fact: Portiragnes is the original village which is found a short distance inland from the purpose built beach resort of Portiragnes Plage.