The Hamlet of St. Geniès de Varensal
The delightful hamlet of St Geniès de Varensal nestles in the mountains of the Regional National park of Haut Languedoc.
You may enjoy gentle strolls around the hamlet, follow the course of the river Bouissou though leafy glades to its deep pools dappled by sunlight, explore the tracks running through the chestnut covered hillsides, or simply relax on the sunny balcony and enjoy the views.
Amenities and Provisions
Fresh bread can be purchased from the baker who calls almost every day at St Geniès; fresh meat and fish are available weekly from local tradesmen who come up to the little square near the house. Basic groceries can be purchased quite close by at Plaisance (5 mins drive), at a shop which doubles as a café/bar (with small terrace near the river). There are table tennis tables and tennis courts in the grounds of the adjacent village hall.
 A wider range of shops including two bakers, a mini-market, a butchers, newsagent, pharmacy, post-office, bar/café and pizzeria can be found in the nearby small town of St Gervais Sur Mare (6km). There is also a charming local tourist information point which houses a small museum of local history, with fascinating ancient agricultural artefacts. St Gervais also has displays of open air sculpture, tennis courts, a boulodrome as well as occasional concerts
A choice of supermarkets and a full range of shops, restaurants and facilities can be found at the popular spa town of Lamalou-Les-Bains (18km) and Bedarieux (26km). Both towns have swimming pools, tourist information bureau with details of exhibitions and musical events during the summer, and colorful open air markets each week with a wide range if fresh bread, meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, patés, olives and cheeses. The capital of the wine-growing region, Béziers, is about 50 km from St Geniès through rolling vineyards and combines the pleasures and amenities of an attractive, historically fascinating town situated in a lovely position on the Canal du Midi, with the full range of shopping and cultural facilities.
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