Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / France / Languedoc-Roussillon
 |  | Destination Guide : Languedoc-Roussillon |
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| | | Beauty and history in France's deep south |  | Why go on holiday to Languedoc-Roussillon?
With its mountains, sea, fascinating history and great towns, the region has everything a holidaymaker could want.
Walkers, artists, cyclists and boaters are in their element here. The region's Canal du Midi offers 93 miles of navigable waterways to chug along. Capital Montpellier is a captivating city with an attractive old town.
Roman archaeology aficionados can visit the famous Pont du Gard aqueduct and Domitian Way, one of the oldest roads in Roman Gaul.
How much does it cost?
From about £170 for a three-night break in Montpellier in September, with flights. A double hotel room is from about £40 in Montpellier. Return budget flights to the city from London Stansted are under £90 in low season.
A week's boating holiday along the Canal du Midi in the Midi-Camargue area costs from about £800, based on two sharing.
Five nights in Carcassonne starts at about £300, with return Eurostar travel from London and B&B in a three-star hotel.
When should I go?
The weather is warmest in June to September, with average highs ranging from 24-27C/75F-81F. Winters are cold, with temperatures plummeting to 4C/40F.
Where is it?
Southern France's Languedoc-Roussillon stretches from Provence to the Pyrenees, and borders the Massif Central in the north. Languedoc is split into two regions — the sunny plains of Lower Languedoc and the mountainous expanse of Upper Languedoc.
Is it picturesque?
Yes. Sunbaked Lower Languedoc has lagoons and sandy beaches, ruined castles perched on rocky outcrops, perfectly preserved old towns like St Guilhem-le-Desert and endless vineyards, as befits France's largest wine-producing region. Upper Languedoc offers the great outdoors in all its glory.
So it's all countryside or coast?
Not at all, many major towns and cities thrive in the region. Montpellier, Nimes, Sete, Beziers, Narbonne and Carcassonne are big hitters, while small towns such as Mende, Florac, Ales and Millau are little settlements in the middle of a wilderness.
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| | | Ancient and modern | | Where can I see Roman ruins?
Nimes has a well preserved amphitheatre with 24,000 seats spread over 34 tiers called Les Arenes, built around AD100. Today it lives on as a venue for sports, bullfighting and other events.
The three-tiered Pont du Gard aqueduct, 14 miles north-east of Nimes, is famous the world over as an example of awesome Roman engineering. The World Heritage Site's 275m-long upper tier has 35 arches that tower 50m above the River Gard.
And natural wonders?
The stunning Gorges du Tarn stretch for 31 miles from the village of Ispagnac. The gorge is 400-600 metres deep and in summer its green waters are sprinkled with canoes and kayaks.
If you like walking, medieval village Ste-Enimie serves as a good base.
Back in the modern world?
Don't miss out on Montpellier, Languedoc's biggest city. Younger travellers will be in good company, as almost 25% of its population consists of university students. If you fall sick you'll be in the right place — Europe's first medical school was founded here in the 12th century. The Musee Fabre showcases a rich collection of French, Italian, Flemish and Dutch paintings. Make time too for France's oldest botanic garden, the Jardin des Plantes, founded in 1593.
Much to see around Montpellier?
Wacky La Grande Motte, 12 miles from Montpellier, is a resort with futuristic buildings. France's second largest Mediterranean fishing port, Sete, is 16 miles from the city. Go there for its beaches, canals, seafood restaurants and lively outdoor cafes.
Tell me about Carcassonne
Breathtaking is the only word to describe La Cite, its old walled city that from the outside looks every inch like something from a medieval fairy tale. Inside is less alluring, particularly if you're one of the 200,000 or so tourists who cram within its walls every July and August. The World Heritage site lives for tourism and numerous souvenir shops and mediocre museums exist to attract tourist dosh. At night the fortress's walls and 52 stone towers are floodlit. The heart of the city is Place du Chateau.
Over in Roussillon?
Sitting at the eastern end of the Pyrenees on Spain's doorstep, the region is sometimes called French Catalonia.
Perpignan is the main city here and while it's not terribly pretty, it has got decent shops and is big on fiestas. Pre-Lenten celebration Tio Tio, for instance, sees people in white robes dragging bathtubs full of flour through the streets and chucking their contents over spectators.
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| | | It's a picture | | Where can we relax?
Collioure is an attractive port with pastel-coloured houses. It inspired the works of Henri Matisse and Andre Derain, both Fauvist artists who used pure colour to fill canvases with stripes, rectangles and splashes of colour.
Relax on a pebbled beach by the natural harbour, browse sleepy boutiques, eat al fresco and pick up good local wine at La Maison de la Vigne et du Vin.
Much for children?
Beach holidays are popular with families along the region's 150 miles of coast. Older children can try every kind of watersport, including canoeing and kayaking. Nimes has the Aquatropic water park and a planetarium, Montpellier the Lunaret Zoo. In Carcassonne watch birds of prey displays at Les Aigles de la Cite.
Best for nightlife?
Montpellier's 60,000-strong student population means it's teeming with places to eat and drink. Head for the vicinity of Rue En-Gondeau, Grand Rue Jean Moulin, place Jean Jaures and rue de l'Universite and Rue Candolle. Nimes produces Nimescope, a free fortnightly entertainment listing. Les Arenes, its amphitheatre, is the place for theatre and concerts.
What can I eat?
Inland, Languedoc-Roussillon's meaty cuisine features a great deal of olive oil, garlic and basil, as well as herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Cassoulet, a kind of casserole, is the region's signature dish, cooked with lingot beans, pork sausage and sometimes game. Aligot is a thick mash of cheese and potato, while another speciality, gardiane, is a beef stew.
On the coast, tuck into mussels and other shellfish, squid stuffed with meat, egg, garlic and parsley or a tielle, a kind of seafood pie. Cheeses and honeys are delicious in this corner of France, and the dozens of local wines are also highly regarded.
Best buys?
Cheese, wine, honey, smoked meat, original paintings in Collioure and bottles of Banyuls, a delicious red dessert wine that goes beautifully with fresh melon.
Tourist office
Maison de la France, 178 Piccadilly, London W1V 0AL. Tel 09068 244123 (60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Languedoc-Roussillon |
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