Gourmet products local specialties and wines Thuir

Initially sold in pharmacies, Byrrh was soon exported beyond the borders under the title of "tonic and hygienic wine". This aperitif is elaborated thanks to skilful dosages of various aromatic plants, giving it sweet and bitter flavours, then aged for two to three years in oak tuns, one of which is the largest oak vat in the world: 1,200,000 litres! The cellars can be visited and as soon as the weather is fine, sound and light, dramatised visits and guided tours will tell you the incredible story of the Violet brothers.

The people of Thuirin are very lucky: there are two pastry shops in their pretty town and they are both excellent! Florent is a creator of cakes, pastries and chocolates (and also a baker). Le Petit Futé fell in love with his delicious specialities, his chocolate creations or simply because you can come and have a coffee on the terrace with a croissant. Florent's also specialises in making wedding cakes, nothing better to tantalise your guests' taste buds.

A little outside Thuir, the castle of Saü is a beautiful property exploited since 1840 by the same family. Herve and Béatrice Passama are now lovers of reasoned cultivation. Regularly awarded, the wines of Saü are worth visiting: the over-aged amber AOC Rivesaltes fulfills all the promises of its appellation. The same for the red côtes-du-Roussillon, whose original vintage, prepared for mass distribution in partnership with the JeanJean company, is a success. The reserved vintage is sold at the Estate.

Thibault Gonzales, the famous breeder of black Gascon pigs, has just opened a butcher's shop in Ponteilla. We have been waiting for a long time for an alternative to his stand at the market in Thuir or at the farm in Montferrer! On a 5 m long stall: meats (pork, beef and lamb), delicatessen, ready meals... 100% organic. Its reputation is such that the greatest restaurants are promoting its products. All you have to do is taste them, these flavours are truly inimitable.

Initiates, amateurs or curious, you will find your happiness at Côté Cave. A beautiful and warm place that remains simple and friendly. The proof is that workshops are regularly organised to introduce you to the secrets and magic of fermented fruit: "bar-cocktail, sommellerie, in search of the nuggets of Languedoc..." (details on the regularly updated website). And the icing on the cake, every Saturday morning, market day, the owners bring in a winegrower who offers tasting of his wines. Epicureans without moderation!

Sébastien Ponramon, Master Chocolatier creates pieces that are true works of art. And it is sincerely painful to bite into his subjects. But greed is stronger than feelings and true cocoa lovers no longer ask the question. Purists will be happy with the percentage of cocoa ranging from 67% to 75%, but it also offers 85% for connoisseurs. And that's not all, because he has created a chocolate with Byrrh, it must be said that his shop is just opposite the cellars, it's a "killer"!

Situated in the heart of the Aspres, the estate covers 60 hectares of rolled pebbles and stony soils producing wines of character. Already prized in the 11th century at the court of the King of Aragon under the name of "laurinya", it now belongs to Domaines Paul MAS. The reasoned work of the vine, a cellar adapted to the modern techniques of wine making make the wines of Château Lauriga a pledge of quality. The interaction between the tramontane, the grape varieties and the terroir produces wines with subtle aromas.

Serge is a key figure at the Thuir market on Saturday mornings. Le Futé has tested his products dozens of times, as many weeks as there are in a year. And it's always so good! This guy is a true farmer who claims to love a job well done by the book. No chemicals on his vegetables, respect of the seasons and always a smile even when there is a 10 m queue in front of his stand. For a more personalized welcome, come to the farm to meet him, he will be happy to show you around.

Beneath the arcades and next to the fountain of the pretty Place Gabriel Péri, nestles a fragrant nugget: a cheese cellar like no other. In the store, with its beautiful display of natural wines, you'll discover wonders with bold, eccentric names: fresh Corsican ewe with maquis herbs, ewe's milk cheese with Iberian pork fat or chocolate ewe's milk tomme. And as the owner is a bon vivant, he suggests you sample his cheeses with a glass of wine on the terrace, for a successful aperitif under the porch.