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 6th September 2010
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Holidays Languedoc RoussillonWelcome to the FrenchEntrée Languedoc Roussillon Holidays & Leisure guide where you can plan visits to medieval castles, explore cities such as Montpellier or Perpignan, discover local traditions, and organise skiing, hiking or fishing excursions in the Languedoc Roussillon - where the sea meets the mountains!While planning your visit here, why not look at the following great sections of our site: • Bed & Breakfast • Camp Sites • Holiday Rentals • Gite Database • Hotels • Travel Links • Skiing Guide • Food & Wine • Events • Carcassonne Guide • Montpellier Guide • Perpignan Guide • Cap d'Agde Guide • Weddings in France QUICK LINKS • Languedoc Beaches • Cathar Castles • Canal du Midi • Pont du Gard • Collioure • Golf in the Languedoc See how much the Languedoc Roussillon has to offer! Map of Languedoc Roussillon Click here for a more detailed map of the Languedoc Roussillon Travel links to the Languedoc Roussillon Click here for details of travel links to the Languedoc Roussillon Tourist Offices - Languedoc Roussillon Click here for contact details of Tourist Offices in the Languedoc Roussillon. LinksOntario TravelEuropean family Tour Portugal Travel Private Holiday Home Guide Girlfriend Getaways Big Bear Cabin Rentals Cancun Vacations 101 |
Languedoc Roussillon Holidays
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Wine Tasting - 10% Discount in September*
 Vinécole is the new wine experience of the Languedoc Roussillon. Learn about wine in a relaxed and social environment, with expert advice and in a superb location. *Mention FrenchEntrée when booking.
Sun, Sea and Golf!
 Enjoy sun, sea and golf at the Palmyra Golf Hotel, situated on the International golf course of Cap d’Agde and minutes from the Mediterranean!
Beautiful Holiday Rentals
 For a truly memorable holiday, visit our selection of beautiful rental properties situated at the crossroads of Languedoc and Provence, at France Provence Holidays. Camping Argeles
 Situated minutes from sandy Mediterranean beaches, Les Fontaines offers camping in Argeles in a beautiful and natural setting. Camping Argeles
Activity Breaks - Languedoc Roussillon
 Visit our activity holidays guide for Languedoc-Roussillon holiday operators offering cookery holidays, wine-tasting tours, walking trips, painting holidays, golf breaks and more!
             .jpg)                • some images courtesy of David Muscroft |
For golf aficionados who like the sun and sea take a moment to consider a holiday at the Palmyra Golf Hotel, situated next to the International golf course of Cap d’Agde, a beautiful course designed by Ronald Fream located within France’s most popular beach resort, and just 800m from the sea the 4 star Le Palmyra Golf Hotel and restaurant offers excellent accommodation, food and spa treatments. 
For those of us looking for a guarantee of excellent cuisine in an idyllic location, day after day and night after night, Peter and Sally Shaw have hit upon the perfect solution: gourmet cuisine weeks. 
Those of you who have read our review of Domaine Gayda vineyard and restaurant close to Carcassonne, and have been lucky enough to taste their wine or eat there, will understand how delighted I was to have the opportunity to taste the rest of their wines. So, on a sunny Thursday morning, FrenchEntrée gathered together a group of five keen wine-drinkers to scrutinise the free wine-tasting offered by this young enterprising label. 
Search the internet for information on the beach resort Le Cap d'Agde and you could be forgiven for thinking that the only visitors there are those who like to stroll around in their birthday suits! But in fact the nudist section is just a small part of the resort: visit the Cap d'Agde and you will discover four destinations rolled into one, with a wealth of things to do and see. .jpg)
With its mysterious Cathar castles, elegant Roman 
For those of you keen to explore the region to its full, a car, motorbike or bicycle will be essential to get around. And to get you started on your own exploration, here below is my personal selection of a few of my favourite routes; it was pretty hard to choose just a few – to be honest practically everywhere you go you’ll find plenty to enjoy! 
As far as I’m concerned, Sète has got to be the chicest place to hang out in the Languedoc summertime! This port town about 30 minutes’ drive south of Montpellier on the Mediterranean coast has an extraordinary character, fashioning itself as both the hip happening beachside place to be and the historical heart of the Thau Lagoon area keeping local traditions and peculiarities very much alive. 
I must profess that over the past ten years where I have been either visiting or living in the Languedoc-Roussillon, the city of Béziers has mainly been a place that I have driven past rather than stopping in. But in recent years I have been intrigued by the progressive addition of Ryanair routes from Béziers airport. What, I wondered, was there in this city for visitors beyond the simple availability of cheap fares? 
Last weekend Jamie and I decided to take a little time off and re-explore some of our favourite places in the region; by the end of our trip we had enjoyed a little taste of many of the good bits of the Languedoc-Roussillon So, if you only have a little holiday time to spare, this is just one possible way that you could spend it! 
Thanks to improvements to the road infrastructure, the market town of Limoux is now just a quick 20 minutes or so south of Carcassonne, and yet being so very much contained in the glorious upper valley of the River Aude means that Limoux still retains its rural charm, and offers visitors a warm welcome, heritage and the delights of the great outdoors. 
Tucked between the dramatic Montagnes Noires and the wild Corbières hills, with the great cities of Carcassonne and Narbonne bordering either side, is the tranquil area known as the Minervois. Filled with picturesque villages, history, heritage and its famous wine, this is a great base for holiday makers looking to explore both rural Languedoc and have easy access the bigger cities. 
I have always rather loved Narbonne, and indeed have often thought that if I ever felt unfulfilled with village life in the back of beyond, Narbonne would be the perfect base as it has just the right blend of elegant French city life mixed with Mediterranean beach holiday, a smattering of history, local flavour and easy access across the south of France, in my opinion, Narbonne is a really good place to start! 
What makes the Languedoc-Roussillon such a great region to be in – its diverse landscape – naturally also defines its climate. Lying between the sea and the mountains, the region is largely blessed with a moderate Mediterranean climate with four distinct seasons like the rest of Northern Europe. 
The Languedoc-Roussillion has traceable history as far back as prehistoric times and there are a number of museums and galleries that bear witness to its rich heritage and culture, from ancient antiquity to contemporary art. Here we highlight some of the museums that are a must for those interested in learning more about the Languedoc-Roussillon...
Did you know that there is some fantastically important Roman and Greek heritage to discover in the Languedoc-Roussillon? From the Pont du Gard near Uzès, to the Horreum at Narbonne, if you like your history ancient, then read on to find out where to go. 
As you drive around the region looking for your ideal property in the south of France you may come across signs declaring that you are about to enter one of the most beautiful villages in France. This rare accolade is awarded by a governing body to villages which fullfil strict criteria and aims to help "protect and promote the outstanding heritage of these exceptional villages". 
There's plenty of options in the Languedoc-Roussillon to keep everyone in the family entertained. We've gathered together a list to help inspire you with fun activities and sights of interests for children across the region - so now all you have to do is choose what you're going to do next! 
Walking, fishing, cycling and many other outdoor activities are extremely popular in many countries, but where can you go for these activities without bumping into the rest of the population? The answer is the Lozere: with miles and miles of unspoilt, glorious countryside and rich local history and traditions to discover. 
Céret has become something of a magnet for those looking for true southern French charm, but for many, the true Céret is the Catalan Céret. Indeed Céret is located in the heart of French Catalonia, about half an hour south of Perpignan and just 15 minutes from the Spanish border. Find out more about the culture and activities that Céret has to offer with this .jpg)
Just over the French border in Spain is the breathtaking golf course of Fontanals. Regarded as one of the best in Europe it also offers a luxury hotel, restaurant and spa making it perfect for golfers and non golfers alike. 
Discover the hidden gem that is the Jardin aux Plantes de La Bouichere. Located in the industrial zone of the market town of Limoux, the garden is home to two and a half thousand plants spread over a two hectare site open to the general public, and offering a wealth of information for keen gardeners and enthusiasts. 
The Languedoc-Roussillon is probably the best region for golf in the whole of France, with nineteen excellent golf courses open to residents and tourists at reasonable cost. Golfing in the Languedoc-Roussillon is a joy as, with around 300 days of sunshine a year, you can more often guarantee fine weather which makes the game a pleasure. 
The Canal du Midi, built between 1667 and 1694, stretches right the way across the Languedoc-Roussillon winding through beautiful countryside, vineyards, reservoirs and basins. Find out more about the history of the canal, the places of interest it passes along its way, places to stay near the canal and useful information to plan a boating holiday on the canal. 
The Languedoc Roussillon boasts some truly romantic, picturesque villages and towns, as well as dynamic, vibrant cities and historic fortified medieval towns- such as Montpellier, Carcassonne, Perpignan, Nimes, Collioure and Ceret and more.
Wine-tasting is naturally a popular holiday in the Languedoc Roussillon - the largest wine-producing region in France. Here we give information about wine and cuisine holiday tour companies as well as details of some of the famous wines and aperitifs in the Languedoc Roussillon to help you plan your very own wine tour! Santé!
Remnants of the Languedoc-Roussillon's fascinating Roman past can be seen in ruins such as the Pont du Gard, the Via Domitia and the Colliseum at Nimes; whilst the Languedoc's tradition of rebellion and resistance - symbolised by the Cathar followers - can be traced through the many castles and fortified towns which tell of the passionate struggles which continue to mark the Languedoc today. 
The Languedoc Roussillon Mediterranean coastline is full of contrast and diversity - here is our guide to the all the beaches and resorts in the Languedoc, as well as information about villages and activities close to the Mediterranean. 
There are hundreds of caves scattered all over the Languedoc Roussillon. Some of the most beautiful ones in the region have been opened up to public access. Here you find incredible illuminated chambers filled with stalagmites and stalactites gleaming like petrified waterfalls. 
Pezenas is the artistic heartland of the Pezenas: non other than Moliere lived and worked here, and the town still testifies to its heritage with numerous arts and crafts boutiques and cultural events throughout the year. The town is aslo excellently located: 20 minutes from the clean white sandy beaches of Herault, 30 mintues from the beautiful rugged hill country inland and from Montpellier. 
For those of you with a penchant for themed walking, there are few French-based experiences that can touch the excitement of discovering an ancient and forgotten route. That’s the thrill you get from trekking the Regordane Way from Pradelles in Lozere to Ales on the south-eastern foothills of The Cevennes. 
An introduction to the historic influences that have shaped the Languedoc-Roussillon's beauitful landscape known as garrigue - a landscape that we tend to think of it as an area of wild countryside, a la nature, and yet which has been immensely influenced by man over many thousands of years. 
Pyrenees resident and qualified mountain guide, Mike Rhodes, gives an overview of the climbing sites in the in the Pyrenees Orientales, Aude and Ariège which offer a range of sites suitable for all levels of climbing proficiency.
Few locations offer the beauty or variety of the Cevennes, ranging from granite tors to deeply incised river valleys and some of Europe's most dramatic limestone gorges and caves. And, as you will see, by far the best way of exploring the Cevennes is by foot...
If you want to know what the French think of Uzes, just ask them! It was described to me by a beautiful young Nimoise as “la ville la plus belle de toute la region”, and a short visit to Uzes will show you exactly why! 
The Stevenson Way, located in the Cevennes region of the Languedoc-Roussillon, follows the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson who walked the route in 1878, and inspired him to write one of his most famous travel books "Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes". 
A recent trip to La Grande Motte, near Montpellier, revealed a Mediterranean beach resort with a unique difference: incredible futuristic architecture that makes you feel like you're in a James Bond film and fantastic facilities to accommodate every kind of beach holiday experience! 
The Languedoc is a passioante place, where tradition and local culture play a large part in every-day life. Here is a round-up of the main annual events in the principal cities of the Languedoc Roussillon: Carcassonne, Mende, Montpellier, Nimes and Perpignan.
The Languedoc boasts several UNESCO World Heritage sites which bear testament to the region's histroic significance including this incredible aqueduct/ bridge between Uzes and Nimes, which is both awe-inspiring and beautiful.
An introduction to the historical Roman origins of Nimes where, amongst its Roman treasures, you can see one of the best preserved colliseums in Europe, which is still used for traditional entertainment today.
Nimes is likely to be, for many a British traveller, a revelation waiting to take them by surprise when they descend from their Ryanair flight at Nimes airport on their way to other better known destinations in the Languedoc. But those who choose to move swiftly on to their destinations are denying themselves the pleasure of one of Frances' finest historical cities. 
A visit to the Languedoc is incomplete without experiencing the local traditions surrounding bulls and horses. One of the high points of the Nîmes Calendar is the Feria, a festival lasting most of a week, focussed around the Arena where bullfighting (Corrida) in the Spanish tradition takes place. 
If you are planning a visit to Perpignan, then have a look at our essentail guide to the city and its surrounds - including information about places to see, restaurants, holiday accommodation and annual events in Perpignan.
Lovers of history and castles should put a pin in the map at Aigues-Mortes, a town whose medieval centre is enclosed within rectangular ramparts, complete with circular towers and gateways and walls that you can walk along, and from where the first Crusader ships set off. 
Built in the 1970s, the Port Camargue pleasure marina and harbour is the ideal base for docking, with its sheltered entrance and many nautical services provided. The port is also an excellent base from which to enjoy and explore the local area and the Camargue. 
In May of 2003 I had just met a rather special woman and was looking for a way to impress. If I wanted to to sweep this woman off her feet I was going to have to pull something special out of the bag. Nothing less than the perfect romantic break would do! 
For lovers of seafood, here is a guide to the region surrounding the Bassin de Thau, an inland salt lagoon linking one canal to another, and the setting for the Hérault's famous production of seafood. 
We, your editors of FrenchEntrée Languedoc-Roussillon, pride ourselves on knowing just about everything about it - but there are vast swathes of countryside which we have yet to really explore. Thank goodness, then, for Richard Whibley, director of Agly Walking Tours, who had gathered together a merry band of enthusiastic amateur walkers to give us a taster of the walking holidays he will be running in 2008. [1].jpg)
FrenchEntrée Languedoc Roussillon is proud to present a series of accounts of walks in the Aude, as experienced by our guest writer Maggie Williams: in this first walk she explores the Labyrinth Vert at Nébias. 
FrenchEntrée Languedoc Roussillon is proud to present a series of accounts of walks in the Aude, as experienced by our guest writer Maggie Williams: in this second walk she visits the Cathar site of Montaillou. 
FrenchEntrée Languedoc Roussillon is proud to present a series of accounts of walks in the Aude, as experienced by our guest writer Maggie Williams: in her third walk she treks through the Gorges de la Frau to the pretty village of Comus. 
Pyrenees resident and qualified mountain guide, Mike Rhodes, gives an overview of the hiking trails in the Cerdagne and Capcir in the Pyrenees Orientales and part of the Ariège, taking in crystal clear lakes and stupendous views along the way. 
Remnants of the Languedoc-Roussillon's tradition of rebellion and resistance - symbolised by the Cathar followers - can be traced through the many castles and fortified towns which tell of the passionate struggles which continue to mark the Languedoc today. Here we give details of the different sites you can visit, including information about Minerve, Peyrepertuse, Queribus, Puilaurens and Montsegur. 
Minerve appears at first sight to be an amazingly situated village, perched on an island of cliffs above deep gorges which have been formed on two sides by the Cesse and Brian rivers. The thin bridge crossing this chasm looks like it can hardly stand up - it is a wonder the Cathars who lived here managed to live under seige for as long as they did! 
Before visiting the medieval stonghold of Aigues-Mortes, brush up on some of the important names, dates and societal structures which shaped the future of this important Crusade site
The first record of the Chateau at Saissac, in the heart of the Black Mountains north-west of Carcassonne, dates back to the year 960 when it was bequeathed by the Bishop of Toulouse to the Count of Carcassonne.
Anchored in the rocky landscape of the Upper Corbieres, Peyrepertuse emerges at an altitude of 800m amidst the garrigue scrubland overlooking the remote village of Duilhac. From its promontory, the views are simply stunning, taking in its neighbouring chateau of Queribus about 5 kilometres away. 
Queribus is situated in the commune of Cucugnan perched on a rocky outcrop in the Corbieres hills overlooking the market town of Maury, projecting its impressive silhouette for all to see from its altitude of 728m. The castle was an important stronghold for the Cathars and for their cause. 
The four castles of Lastours - Cabaret, Surdespine, Quertinheux and Tour Régine - are built at an altitude of 300m and are a remarkable sight, hidden deep in the rocky valley overlooking the River Orbeil and the village below. 
The present-day tiny chateau of Arques almost looks like it was built yesterday - it is it perfect condition and is utterly charming, sitting on its little hillside a few hundred metres away from the village.
At about 50 km south-east of Carcassonne, the Villerouge-Termènes chateau is the High Corbières Mediterranean gateway. Its imposing mass in the centre of the village speaks volumes as to its importance in regional medieval politics. 
To the north-west of Perpignan perched on an outcrop of rocks near the village of Tuchan, the ruins of the Chateau d’Aguilar presides over the surrounding vineyards of the renowned Fitou winemaking region. Its name derives from the latin word “aquila” meaning eagle, and indeed this area of the Languedoc-Roussillon is well known for its many varieties of birds of prey. 
In the 11th and 12th Centuries, Termes was the main residence for an important lordship in the region: the Termes dynasty. The Termes were a force to be reckoned with for several years, and often waged small battles with other local lords to gain more land in the region.
The current ruins at Puivert Castle are not actually from Cathar times - it is the previous 12th century castle which should rightly be linked to the Cathars and the troubadour minstrels. However, the castle and the village are well worth a visit - particularly for the great views, the swimming lake and educational extras about the Troubadours at the local museum. 
Situated in the Midi-Pyrenees department of the Ariege, just west of Languedoc-Roussillon, Montsegur is one of the most significant Cathar heritage sites and for many the chateau-fortress at Montsegur remains a mysterious and mystical place - resonant with legends and dark history. 
At the border between the Aude and the Ariege departments, the ruined Chateau d’Usson emerges from the depths of the Pyrenees at 920m in altitude above the River Aude and the River Bruyante.
Discover the history of these beautiful and fascinating gardens, created by Eugène Mazel in 1856. Illustrated signs throughout your visit give a background to the people who worked to maintain and develop the gardens, and there are interactive areas which provide fun and education to young and old.
The gardens of “Les Camellias de la Prairie” opened in 2005 and promise you a treat for your eyes in the months of February and March. This is a wondeful place for garden lovers and simply has to be on the list of places to visit in the Languedoc.
An alternative day out for you and the kids is to visit the 300 hectares of safari park near Sigean, where you will come face to face with over 3000 different wild animals!
Whether you're looking for a fun-filled city break or rurual tranquility, there's somewhere perfect for you to stay in the Languedoc Roussillon. Find your ideal hotel, bed & breakfast, holiday home or campsite 
The first time we did this drive was way back in 2001 before we even moved here, and we eventually went on to get married in one of the villages here, so it will always be a favourite...The scenery is typical provençal – olive groves, lavender and sunflower fields, cypress trees and picturesque stone villages... 
We did this drive over a couple of days on our first property-hunting mission for ourselves in 2006. I loved the drive so much that I immediately decided that we had to live near it, and we still do! I loved the way we were gradually moving from Mediterranean to Pyrenean mountain scenery... 
To our shame, we had lived in the region for two years before finding the time to do a proper visit to the Lozère department of the region in 2008. So, thinking we pretty much knew everything we needed to know about the region, we set off hoping that we’d find something new. We weren’t disappointed! 
