Maureilhan is a quiet wine producing village, set in acres of vineyards, the nearest only 200 metres from the house. In the village centre, which has just been refurbished, you will find a well stocked small, general store, a newsagent/tabac, butchers, bakers, post office and (essential part of French village life) hairdresser. On the main road, the bar/restaurant "112" and the café opposite have excellent set menu lunches of four courses for about 12.50E, including a carafe of local wine.The general store and bakery are open for part or whole 7 days a week but actual opening times vary with the season so do check on arrival for opening times and half days. The bakery opens Sunday morning but nearly all other shops in the village and in neighbouring villages/towns are closed. The local Casino shop sells extremely drinkable wine for less than 3E a bottle!
The local dentist is about 50 metres away and there are two doctors surgeries within 150 metres.
The first traces of civilisation here date back to the 6th century BC. The village is located on the site of a Gallo-Roman estate, whilst the first written records cite MAURELLANUM in the year 804. The present 19th century church is the third consecrated church on the site. The private 16th century chateau is also a wonderful monument.
The prosperity of the village has been assured for a long time by the establishment of vast vineyards. Recently, numerous gold medals have been rewarding the efforts of our local wine producers. Half the local wine production is by the members of the co-operative. The Maureilhan wine co-operative is one of four which co-own the wine cellar and museum at Roueire (12kms away).
Maureilhan is 18kms from the nearest Mediterranean beaches, close to the Canal du Midi (now classed as a World Heritage site), 10 minutes by car from the centre of Beziers, 25 minutes from Narbonne, with its ancient cathedral, 20 minutes from the hills of the Haute Languedoc National Park and 20/25 minutes from two top quality 18 hole golf courses. It is also an ideal centre for wine-tasting holidays with the local wine cooperative only 50 metres away from Maison Pasteur.
Find out more about the village by linking to www.maureilhan.com
