The Languedoc-Roussillon region starts from Marseille in the north east and reachs the Spanish border in sourth.
The region is known for its warm temperature all year round and it offers a lot of exciting, cultural monuments, great wines, Mediterranean cuisine and a varied landscape with mountains, vineyards and fine and child-friendly sandy beaches.

The landscape in Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon offers a fertile and very various landscape. The fruit and wine yards are spread all over the landscape and they are encirled by cypres, laurel leafs and high platan trees. The charming Canal du Midi runs through picturesque villages and offer an extraordinary canal trip.

On a holiday in Languedoc-Roussillon you can also hike in the mountains. In the south you will meet the Pyrenees with its steep mountainsides and grazing, free range sheeps and cows. In the north lies Cevennerne with their high volcanic mountain tops.

Large cities in Languedoc-Roussillon: Montpellier and Toulouse

In the Languedoc-Roussillon region you will find several, exciting big cities such as Montpellier, which is one of the most charming cities in the sourth of France. The city is from the Middle Ages and offer exciting architecture as well as history. A fourth of the citizens are students and the university is known as one of the best in France. Montpellier is only situated  10 km. from the Mediterranean Sea and 75 km. from the mountains.

Turist attractions in Languedoc-Roussillon

On a holiday in Languedoc-Roussillon there are a lot of excursion possibilites. The trip can e.g. go to the limestone caves or to one of the many kathar castles in the area, which characterise the landscape and remind you about the crusades which found place here. Medieval places with picturesque markets are to be found in Montpellier, Pézenas and Béziers. In Sigean you will find the African reserve with lions, giraffes, elephants and reptiles.
In Carcassonne you can visit one of the best maintained Medieval towns in Europe, which is also a World Heritage site.

Sports  activities in Languedoc-Roussillon

Along the seabord there are miles and miles of sandy beaches, lagoons and bays. At Canal du Midi, which runs through the region, you will find a endless numbers of water sport activities. At Lac du Salagou you can rent windsurfing and boats. At the rivers Hérault, Orb and Aude you can make a canoe trip through the clefts.
The region offers excellent hiking and riding as well as many tennis and golf courses.

Gastronomic characteristics of Languedoc-Roussillon

Many people find the food in Languedoc-Roussillon very tasty. It is strongly influenced by the Mediterranean area and often includes olive oils, garlic and southern herbs. In the coastal areas you will find oysters, mussels, sardines, sea urchins and seafood. The mountains offer a wide range of wild boar, mushrooms, chestnuts and cheese from sheeps- and goatmilk. The best wines include Collioure, St. Chinian, Faugères, Minervois and Fitou. And do not forget to try the sweet ”Muscat” as aperitif.

The climate of Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon has an attractive climate: continuous dry, warm and sunny summer days with occasional chilly breezes from the north west. In the spring and autumn the climate is pleasantly mild and therefore ideal for hiking.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from Maison de la France. Photographers: Fabian Charaffi, and Catherine Bibolet.