Almost due East from the Minervois is the town of Narbonne with the Mediterranean sea, a favourite with the children who love the sandy beaches, only a few kilometres further. Narbonne saw the Romans invade in 118 BC and later the Arabs held the town for a few years. In the town, there are remains of an old roman road, the modern market well stocked with all kinds of produce and the church which is one of the tallest in France.
During the summer (from 9 July to 9 September, 2001), guided visits are available following various themes : Narbonne a roman capital, the Archbishops palace, Charles Trenet's house.

To get to the sea, leave the town towards the east and cross the the region known as 'La Clape' which is well known for its wines. There are many opportunities for walking in the garrigue of La Clape and the beaches have vast expanses of sand.

Just about 10 km south-west from Narbonne and in the Corbières, is the 'Abbaye de Fontfroide', privately owned and worth a visit. The abbey was established around 1093.

About 45 km east from Olonzac is the town of Béziers. The nature and character of this town is very different from that of Carcassonne. Close to Béziers is the Mediterranean coast with a succession of beaches all the way to Montpellier, a delightful town. Montpellier has an old center on a small hill and this provides a lot of interest within a very small area. Montpellier is only about a couple of hours from the Minervois, a little less if you take the motorway.

Nimes is another interesting town another 50 km on from Montpellier by the autoroute. A little further on is the world famous "Pont du Gard" . This is a Roman bridge and aqueduct built on three levels with the top being about 50 m above the water level of the river Gard. Construction of the bridge was begun in AD 48 by Agrippa, son-in-law of the Emperor Augustus, to bring water to Nimes, one of the most important towns in the Roman province of Narbonne. At the Pont du Gard, you are only about 200 km and 2 1/4 hours from Olonzac.