Between winegrowing, protected cultural heritage and the Corbières landscape, Serviès-en-Val offers several specific ways to shape a stay. The architecture of the Château de Serviès-en-Val and the details on a stone cross bring the history of the village to life. Wine tasting and contemporary art offer different focal points. In the surrounding region, the Sentier sculpturel adds a distinct art and hiking trail. This gives you a choice of whether to focus your stay more on local history, wine and art, or a trail beyond the village.
Hillside location, bird protection and biodiversity
Serviès-en-Val lies in the centre of the Val-de-Dagne, at the entrance to the Corbières and south of Mont Alaric, on a hillside. The village’s natural setting includes the Natura 2000 bird protection area FR9112027 “Corbières occidentales” and the ZNIEFF Type 2 “Corbières centrales”. The bird protection area brings together varied vegetation and distinctive, low-lying rocky ridges. The rocks provide suitable nesting sites for cliff-nesting species.
The ZNIEFF broadens the focus on nature to include a wider range of species: the ecological area is important for fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects and flowering plants. This makes it possible to distinguish two different aspects of the landscape: nesting sites for cliff-nesting birds and the diversity of animal and plant groups. For nature lovers, this is a specific complement to the geographical setting between the Val-de-Dagne and the Corbières.
Château architecture and stone symbols
The Château de Serviès-en-Val is privately owned and has been listed as a historic monument by decree since 17 February 1926. Its layout consists of an elongated building known as the donjon, as well as residential buildings with three corner towers. Two towers are round and the third is square. Their different shapes make the complex easier to understand through its architectural features, without requiring an interior visit.
Another historic monument is the stone wayside cross, which has been classified as a historic monument since 2 July 1911. The cross dates from the 16th century and is made of sandstone. On the front, a shield displays a deer, the coat of arms of the lords of Serviès; on the back, a blessing hand is depicted. Thus, a symbol of lordship and a religious motif appear on opposite sides of the same cross.
Winegrowing and contemporary art
Winegrowing in Serviès-en-Val produces red and rosé country wines from Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet, as well as white wines from Chardonnay. The Cellier Joseph Delteil welcomes visitors to its tasting rooms to sample its range of products. The wine connection also includes the Terre d’Expression cooperative at the Cellier Joseph Delteil: its winegrowers have been united since 1932, and the cooperative has more than 190 members. This lets you learn about both the grape varieties and the cooperative history of wine production.
La Coop’Art – Centre d’art contemporain offers temporary exhibitions and a library. The cultural offering thus ranges from protected buildings and historic monuments to contemporary art. As visitor services may change, it is advisable to check current arrangements for exhibitions and library use before your visit.
Art and hiking in the surrounding region
As a different kind of outing, the Sentier sculpturel runs through the surrounding region: a 6 km art and hiking trail in the Hautes Corbières. The trail is outside Serviès-en-Val. The distinction is clear when choosing what to do: in Serviès-en-Val, the focus includes architecture, wine tasting and temporary exhibitions; the Sentier sculpturel combines art and hiking on a trail beyond the village.
Discover more destinations: Malviès, Raissac-D'aude, Saint-Ferriol, Laroque-De-Fa, Azille, Labastide-Esparbairenque, Ladern-sur-Lauquet, Villeneuve-Minervois
For the broader travel overview: Aude.
