The Area
In the extreme south of France, the Languedoc-Roussillion extends northwards along the Mediterranean coast from the north-eastern ranges of the Pyrenees and the Spanish border, east to Provence. Inland, it extends westwards to the Midi-Pyrenees and as far north as the Auvergne.

Landscape
The Pyrenees
The heart of French Catalonia lies in the villages, forests and valleys of the Pyrenees. Warm early springs and long dry summers, rich pasturelands and the bountiful orchards of the Têt and Tech river valleys provide France with its out of season fruits and vegetables.

The Black Mountains
The Black Mountains of Haut-Languedoc and the vast National Park of the Cévennes are strikingly beautiful. The limestone gorges of the Tarn and the mountains and lakes of Lozère are a striking contrast to the coastal plains towards the east. Much of this area is a protected, unspoilt wilderness of great beauty, where rural life and traditions have remained unchanged.

The Corbières
The hills of the Corbières produce some of the best wine of the region. Medieval villages are dotted amongst the vineyards and rivers and streams wind through the landscape.

Minervois
The wide flood plain of the Minervois is well known for the Canal du Midi. Either side of this UNESCO world heritage site sleepy villages bake in the hot sun in high summer. The Canal is shielded by tall trees on each side. You can cycle along the tow path from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

Cities, towns and villages
The Capital - Montpelier
Montpelier, the region's capital, is a fine university city with many 17th and 18th century houses, wide boulevards, parks and gardens. The Jardin des Plantes, built in 1593, was the first botanical garden in France.

Carcassonne
The restored mediaeval 'Cité' of Carcassonne in the Aude, is an astonishing legacy of the bloody and rebellious history of the Languedoc. The surrounding countryside is marked with hilltop fortresses and ancient towns and villages that bear witness to the Crusade to crush the Cathar heresy. The landscape here is distinctly Mediterranean; wild, rocky hills and hot, stony plains, dominated by the vines of the Minervois and Corbières.



Sète
Sète is the largest Mediterranean fishing port on the coast and has many excellent fish restaurants. The writer Paul Valéry is buried there and there is a room devoted to him in the Municipal Museum. In July and August there are water jousting festivals.

Narbonne
Narbonne, founded by the Romans, is a busy centre for the wine trade with excellent shopping facilities. The Cathedral of St-Just rivals those of northern France and has some beautiful tapestries. Some 15 kilometres from the town, situated in a wild valley, is the Benedictine abbey of Fontfroide with its 13th century church and rose garden.

Béziers
Béziers prospered in the 17th century when the Canal du Midi was built. The Museum of Fine Art has works by many Flemish and German masters, including Holbein. The Roman Arena is used for bullfights during the 'feria', in August.

Perpignan
Perpignan, once the capital of the kingdom of Majorca , has managed to preserve its Spanish heritage, which is reflected in the architecture and ambience of the town.



See also SW France - Life