Languedoc-Roussillon South West France
The Languedoc-Roussillon region is one of France's best-kept secrets. While Provence and the Cote d'Azur just across the Rhone have been living it up, attracting movie stars and the masses, its less pretentious neighbour has remained in comfortable obscurity. And so much the better for those in the know.
Dramatically varied landscapes, two distinct, proud cultures - Occitan and Catalan - a tradition of heresy and steadfast rebellion and age-old customs all combine to make this a great region unmatched in its romantic associations, at once epitomizing and defying everything that is France.
Now shaking off centuries of sleepy neglect, Languedoc and Roussillon are emerging as one of the most enticing parts of the country, its remote villages and little-travelled byways affording a window onto a vanishing European rural culture, and its beaches and cities offering a thrilling diversity of activity.
Languedoc-Roussillon enjoys the best climate in France with summer temperatures averaging 30ºC.
Languedoc-Roussillon Property Developments:
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Area
South West, next to Var & Cote D´Azur, border of Spain/Pyrenees, Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan, Toulouse, Narbonne, Carcassonne.
Airports
Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan, Girona Barcelona direct flights from Stansted & Luton : flight time 11/2 hrs
Population
3.4 million
Cost of Living
Very low; bottle of wine €5
Tourism
With 14 million tourists per year (including 4 million foreigners), more than 100 million nights, 20 billion francs (3 billion Euro) revenue, the Languedoc-Roussillon is the fourth French touristic region.
Languedoc-Roussillon Cities
Carcassonne
Largest medieval city in Europe with its city walls still intact. Stunning.
Montpellier
Capital of Languedoc. Leading university town with a medical school dating from C12th. Quarter of population are students. A vibrant high tech city, charming old city has been pedestrianised. Montpellier & surrounding country comprise most varied & exciting region of Languedoc.
Minutes from the beach stretching for 40km. Infinite number of restaurants, bars, cafes & lively nightlife.
Nimes
An old Roman city, founded by Emperor Augustus. Has some of the best surviving Roman buildings in Europe. Denim originally made in Nimes.
Perpignan
Once the capital of Majorca, still a major Catalan centre, more Spanish than French. Capital of Roussillon
Beziers
Originally Phoenician settlement, then a Roman military post.
Narbonne
First Roman city in France dating from 120BC.
Toulouse
6th largest city in France.
Sete
20 mins from Montpellier, busy port, 20km unspoilt beaches, colourful old town, museums, park, lively nightlife in summer, many seafood restaurants.
Languedoc-Roussillon Activities
300 days of sunshine and the best climate in France with summer temperatures averaging 30ºC, frequent rain in winter but mild.
110 miles of coastline along the Mediterranean sea, mostly made up of sandy beaches with some rocky coves, many fishing villages.
Historic medieval area, ancient cities, mountains, rivers, lakes, canals, thermal springs, abbeys, cathedrals, chateaux, castles, fortresses, grottos, caverns & caves.
National parks & UNESCO wildlife reserves, fetes, carnivals, festivals, exhibitions, theatre, pottery, museums, vineyards, markets.
Cycling, horse riding, walking, scuba diving, jet skiing, waterskiing, white water rafting, canyoning, sailing, paragliding, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, hunting, fishing, boules, petanque, bull fighting.
12 ski resorts in the Catalan Pyrenees with 200 runs & 150 ski lifts.
Languedoc-Roussillon Distances
By TGV train:
Nimes to Paris: 4 hrs
Montpellier to Paris: 4 hrs 30 mins
Narbonne to Paris: 6 hrs
Beziers to Paris: 4 hrs 45 mins
Perpignan to Paris: 6 hrs
Toulouse to Paris: 4 hrs 30 mins
Ferry:
To northern France & drive OR take SNCF motorail from Calair or Paris to Narbonne or Toulouse.
Driving:
Nice to Montpellier 4 hrs, to Perpignan 5 hrs via toll roads
Perpignan to Toulouse 3 hrs
Aigues Mortes to Nimes: 30km
Aigues Mortes to Montpellier: 25km
Montpellier to Narbonne: 90km
Montpellier to Sete: 25km
Narbonne to Perpignan: 60km
Perpignan to Spanish border: 25km
Click to view full size map of Languedoc-Roussillon
