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Languedoc travel guide
Visit Languedoc: Languedoc Gites : Languedoc Hotels : car hire
Languedoc-Roussillon is found in southern-central France, along the Mediterranean coast and inland. It reaches Spain at its southernmost border, and Provence on its eastern border. Not yet so developed as its rich neighbour, Provence, it has its own share of dramatic landscapes, divided by dramatic gorges, and plenty of great medieval architecture.
The region falls into two distinct areas with different characteristics - the Pyreneean region to the south (departments Aude and Eastern Pyrenees) including the mountains and the coast between Perpignan and Spain; and the more northern part of the region (departments Gard, Hérault, and Lozère).
The remainder of this regional travel guide page is divided into these two general regions. The map at the bottom of this page includes the whole region.
The history of the region is inextricably mingled with that of the Cathars, which plays a significant role in Languedoc tourism.
NORTHERN LANGUEDOC
General highlights
- roman ruins at Nimes and the historical town at Uzes, also Pont du Gard - a roman aqueduct near Nimes
Temple at Nimes
- on the coast between Montpellier and Aigues-Mortes are two very
popular beaches at La Grande Motte and Palavas-les-Flots.
- Montpellier - Montpellier has a reputation for being one of the most lively and vibrant cities along the southern coast
- Canal du Midi - world heritage site, and a favourite boating (barge) holiday destination in France (see also Castelnaudary)
- towns to visit: Cordes, Aigues-Mortes
photo by Adrien Béron subject to
copyright
- bamboo garden at Prafrance, 15 hectares of exotic bamboo planting
- the town devoted to Molieres, at Pezenas
- the Etang de Thau, and the villages and towns of Balaruc-le Vieux, Bouzigues, Loupian and Mèze; then Marseillan to the southern end of the etang and Sete on the coastal side.
Scenic highlights
Much of the National Parc des Cevennes falls in the northern part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. This region has been covered in our separate guide to the Massif Central.
Castelbouc-sur-Tarn, photo
copyright
Most beautiful villages - Northern Languedoc:
MINERVE - 25 km NW of Narbonne (Hérault) Minerve
SAINT-GUILHEM-LE-DESERT - 20 km E of Lodève (Hérault)
St Guilhem le Desert
OLARGUES - 40 km NW of Béziers Olargues
SOUTHERN LANGUEDOC
This region is known for its long relatively empty beaches, and of course the many fine wines that are grown in the inland regions of Languedoc, and the foothills and mountains of the eastern Pyrenees.
The first major town as you enter the southern part of the region is Narbonne, the lively town near the coast.
Narbonne
Mount Canigou dominates much of the interior of the region. The region that lies between Mount Canigou and the coast south of Perpignan (known as the Cote Vermeille) is known as the Albères. This mountainous region runs along the frontier between France and Spain.
The Fort de Salses is a popular attraction north of Perpignan, as is Fontfroide Abbey (south of Narbonne). Also not to be missed south of Narbonne is the Sigean African Nature Reserve.
Other highlights of the region include Madeloc and Massanne towers, and the castle at Ultrère, plus of course the scenery itself, the main attraction of the region.
The two main routes to explore the interior of the region are the Valleys of the Tech and Tet, both passing through much beautiful scenery:
The Tet Valley runs from Perpignan to Prades and beyond, passing Villefranche de Conflent and Eus (both 'most beautiful villages'). Take a detour from Prades to see the monastery at St-Michel-deCuxa.
The Tech Valley to the south passes through Ceret, an attractive town where Picasso lived. Continue on to see Arles-sur-Tech and then the Gorges de la Fou.
Two more classified villages here in southern Langudoc are Castelnou (Pyrenees-Orientales) and Lagrasse (Aude), as is the town of Limoux.
Languedoc beach (picture thanks to Jamie Henderson)
Towns along the Cote Vermeille between Perpignan and Spain include Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cerbère. See also Elne cathedral and cloister on the route from Perpignan to these southern coastal towns.
The Aude department stretches inland from the Mediterranean, along the Aude river, and includes Carcassonne and the nearby villages of Revel, Saissac and Montolieu, and the Cathar castles - one of the highlights of Languedoc-Roussillon is the ruined cathar castles such as Queribus and Peyrepertuse.
South-west of Quillan, itself south of Carcassonne, the River Aude and its tributaries have carved magnificent ravines and gorges in the landscape at the Gorges de l'Aude.
Holiday Ideas
Cathar castles country, between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees - Cathars, sea and mountains
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Visit Languedoc - travel information
If you are planning Languedoc-Roussillon holidays or vacation you will find all you need on the France This Way site, including Languedoc-Roussillon gites, hotels and car hire:
- car hire
- France camping holidays in Languedoc
