Montpellier, the largest city in Languedoc, is a bustling place due to its large student population. It mixes elegant buildings, beautiful squares and grand hotels with a sense of art de vivre and style. Even the tramways were designed by couturier Christian Lacroix! Cobbled streets wind around the city centre, lined by quirky cafés and quaint little shops. Take your time to discover and get a bit lost in this multi-faceted, sun-drenched city.
The interesting area around the Etang de Thau is within easy reach. The lagoon measures 19 kilometres long which makes it popular among sailors and windsurfers. Due to its median depth of five metres it is also ideally suited for the ensconced oyster farms.
Languedoc boasts a Mediterranean coastline of inconceivable 214 kilometres. This oasis of sun, sand and sea begins in the east with Plage de l’Espiguette, the longest beach in the South of France. You can walk for kilometres away from the touristy area in the west to deserted sands backed only by dunes and 20 kilometres of salt lagoons. Or you can visit one of the lovely towns interspersed in the extended beaches. The early evening is the time to turn your back on the beach and be within the walls of Aigues-Mortes. Then, the warm light of the setting sun magically transforms the stone roofs and houses. Sète is known as the “Venice of the Languedoc” for its network of canals. Le Cap-d’Agde near Béziers is the most visited of the beach resorts.
Where history mixes with city life
The silhouette of Béziers is visible from afar due to the distinctive outlines of the Cathedral Saint-Nazare. With this place as your holiday base, you choose a fairly peaceful inviting town – and one of the most ancient in Europe. Once upon a time it was a busy Roman military colony, today it follows a more leisurely pace. From here you have various opportunities to fill your agenda with any physical activity you might desire. Hiking, biking, strolling along the seaside or sipping the Canal du Midi on a boat, there are many ways to revel in the enchanting countryside. The historical sites in the neighbourhood are just as worthy of your attention.
A visit to Carcassonne feels like stepping into a fairy-tale of the Middle Ages. Knights and noble ladies might just wait behind the next corner and, of course, many of the staff members are clad in style. This medieval fortified city with passageways and winding alleys is incredibly well-preserved, offering a fascinating experience. The heavily decayed citadel walls got fully restored in the 19th century. The architect wasn’t too much into historical accuracy and created a medieval wonderland instead. And that is just a lot of fun to explore. Take at least a whole day to let the atmosphere work its magic!
From gorgeous gorges to hilly hikes
Turquoise or green water under a sunny blue sky, impressively steep rocks and perhaps a light breeze, it all comes together in the Gorges de l’Hérault, north of Montpellier. Put on your boots or take an open-top car and cruise the winding roads, sometimes on the same level as the water, sometimes looking into the gorge from the top. It is a place to say thank you to nature for blessing us with such magnificence!
Béziers is an ideal starting point to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Guided bike tours and bike rentals are on offer. The Canal du Midi, built during the reign of Louis XIV, is a delightful biking destination as well. If you are more the hiking type, the Montagne Noire is at your door. The southern foothills of the Massif Central enable you to discover a densely wooded area rich in water sources that supply the Canal du Midi. Its spectacular views and the scenic surroundings put the black mountains high up on the list of popular destinations. It is also an extensive wine region, as nearly 40% of the wine produced in France comes from the Languedoc. Would you have guessed?
The wild, unspoilt countryside of the Cévennes National Park extends north of Lunel and Montpellier makes another great hiking destination. Torrents, rivers and streams trench the area that hosts a rich and diverse range of flora and fauna.
