The Village

Moux is a medieval village, its centre built around the church and sitting atop a large rock of granite.  It is typical of the region. The only produce of the village is wine, vines having been grown here for thousands of years, since the Romans came and planted the first grapes.  Even in a small village like Moux, which has only 200 full time inhabitants, we produce around one million litres of wine each year and the village is still home to a number of Chateaux and Domaines, which have additional wine production figures. You could truly "drown in wine" here and during the harvest, the whole village is out "on the pick" getting the harvest in before the weather changes.

The region of Languedoc-Rouissillon is the largest vineyard in the world and the price of the local wine reflects that abundance! And because of the weather conditions, (we have an annual sunshine rate of about 300 days), the local food produce matches the quality of the wine.

We are also in the foothills of Mont d'Alaric, which hasn't been allowed to change in hundreds of years.  Although it is crossed by hiking trails which take you to deserted chateaux and monasteries, sited high on the hills above the village, the weather is so good for most of the year, its possible to hike even out of season without getting wet!  A dream for any serious hikers or photographers with hiking boots! 

The locals think of themselves as Languedocienne - not French - and are so unlike the French in the north of the country, you can't imagine they are the same people.  And in fact, historically, they aren't!  The locals are from the d'Oc and have their own language and attitudes.  Relaxed and friendly, they have great senses of humour and are so laid back, they could almost fall over at any opportunity.  Like a lot of Mediterraneans, they keep to the lunch followed by siesta life-style - which we have found so attractive since coming to live down here.

For the practically minded amongst you, there is a local shop, pharmacy, bread shop and Post Office. The local market town of Lezignan Corbieres is but a ten-minute drive away, and has banks, all shops, bars, vets, hospital and a great "typically French" market of Wednesday mornings. Our next-door village of Conilhac (pronounced the same as "Cognac" but without the brandy production - unfortunately!) boasts a month-long Jazz festival every November and our summer days are peppered with saints days and fetes of every description.  If you are here during a fete, you will be made very welcome at the outdoor festivities and dancing!

This photograph shows Moux, our village, in the early hours of an Autumn morning.  It shows the mellowness of the stone, the church bells and yes, our property is amongst those beautiful red rooftops!