The Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the most fascinating areas of Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Pyrenees Mountains to the south. It benefits from an exceptional "Mediterranean Climate" and has an unusually rich wildlife, a spectacular coast, and surprising history. The area enjoys hot dry summers, rainy winters, moderate springs & autumns and averages some 300 days of sunshine a year . The coastline, sheltered by mountains, tends to be sunnier than and warmer than the inland areas. The mountains of course tend to be cooler, and valleys damper but the Languedoc region claims to be the sunniest in the country.

With mountains, rivers and lakes, ancient cities, towns, villages, thermal springs, abbeys, and cathedrals, chateaux and castles or sophisticated university city life of Montpellier and chic marina resorts such as Cap d'agde La Grande Motte or the Camargue the Languedoc truly has something for everyone.

With the average age of the locals set at a mere 25 years old, thanks to the presence of 60,000 university students, it comes as no surprise that Montpellier is a lively and energetic town.

The university was set up in the 13th century and has a famous medical faculty, founded in the early 12th century, that the town is particularly proud of. Montpellier began life as an important trading town, with merchants from Greece, Egypt, Spain, Italy and France converging here to do business. It was sold to France in 1349 and suffered much for being a Protestant stronghold during the 17th century but, in spite of these setbacks, Montpellier continues to be a dynamic and innovative city, attracting many visitors.

In July and August the tourists replace the students and the residents are at the beach, so the atmosphere is not quite the same as during term time. Montpellier is the principal city of the region, with the seat of local government housed in an impressive new building the parliament building shown below. The city has the right mix of old and new. The old city contrasts with the new shopping centres of the Triangle and Polygone. The city is also well known for the outstanding new architecture of the Antigone, which reaches from the Place de l'Opera - Comedie to the Regional Parliament building by the river.

If you are looking for somewhere a little different then, Beziers could be the place for you. It is oozing with history, and for a small provincial city has a surprising number of attractions, including parks and gardens, museums, art galleries, theatres and bars, and restaurants serving delicious local cuisine. Unlike some destinations in Europe, Beziers does not have huge crowds, inflated prices and a mob of foreign tourists descending on it. This small city, with its stunning cathedral and fabulous Canal du Midi, has a more peaceful charm, so that you can walk the historic streets without being crushed. Beziers is also surrounded by some of the prettiest countryside in southern France and is just a few miles from the Mediterranean coast, making it a perfect base for holidays in the south of France.

Lodeve lies where the plains rise up to the Larzac plateau, 54 km from Montpellier, in the valley of the Lergue river surrounded by green hills and vineyards and lies only 8 km from the large man-made Lake Salagou. The lake offers a variety of water sports and is a popular alternative to the coast.

Situated just eight kilometres to the west of Gignac with Larzac to the south, Clermont L'Herault is a busy market town set in beautiful countryside surrounded by olive groves. It is just a thirty minute drive from Montpellier and forty kilometres from the sea. The swimmers and sunbathers do not miss out here as there is a beautiful lake in nearby Salagou which offers fishing, watersports and horse riding facilities.

Situated at the western end of the Bassin de Thau, Agde is mid way between the towns of Sete and Beziers. The city of Agde - built on the lava flow and rocks of an ancient volcano, 'le mount Saint-Loup', the town of Agde offers panoramic views of the L' Herault estuary. It has an imposing cathedral dating from the 12thC, plus, the remains of the city walls originally built by the Greeks. There is plenty for visitors to see and do, with bustling streets and many boutiques, to sampling the food served at the many fish restaurants along the quayside.

The marina at Cap D'Agde is lined with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, all with tables and chairs out on the pavement facing the water. These are an ideal place to while away a few hours sipping cool drinks and watching the world go by. Walk away from the port and you will discover that Cap D'Agde is much more than just a few bars and restaurants. This place is like an enormous seaside playground, with beaches, sports centres, nightclubs, children's areas, golf and much more... if you are interested in an all over tan, Cap D' Agde has Europe's largest naturist complex. Cap D'Agde has about 14 km of sandy beaches to choose from, weather you're looking for a large expanse of golden sand dotted with smart beachfront cafes, or a small cove of rocky outcrops ideal for snorkelling.

Set at the eastern end of the Canal du Midi Sete is a vibrant thriving port linking the canal to the mediterannean. From Setr you can get a ferry to Morocco, a slow boat along the canal or enjoy the exciting and slightly bizarre water jousting. The charm of Sete is in the effortless energy that exumes from the canal, the sea, the streets, the restaurants. You can walk and discover fishing boats, busy with their cargo, walk and find a restaurant to eat and watch, even in the relative cool of deepest winter. It seems there is a warmth here, perhaps because of its cosmopolitan feeling of ships from ports far away or from the young coming from the neary university city of Montpellier. It is no wonder that Georges Brassens, who is buried here, was imbued with song and word, and also that it was to provide the inspiration for Paul Valery.

Montpeyroux is situated to the Northwest of Montpellier, just below the edge of the huge limestone plateaux of the Causse du Larzac and forms part of the Terrasses du Larzac climatic grouping. The red wines of the region are deep coloured, rustic wines with aromas of ripe fruit and peppery spices. The wines are classified as AOC Coteaux du Languedoc.

The Lac du Salagou lies about four kilometers (2.5miles) to the west of Clermont l Herault and fourteen kilometers (9 miles) to the east-north-east of Bedarieux. It is over six kilometers in length, the waters and long shoreline offer many oportunities for a day out. Boats with motors are banned (the only exception being the rescue launches) so the place remains a tranquil haven with swimming, fishing, windsurfing and other aquatic sports in profusion. There is no shortage of shoreline, beaches and rocky coves, upon which to relax, many have shady trees to filter the midday sun.

Pezenas, not only famous for being the home, for a while, of the famous Playwright Moliere, is also a very beautiful medieval market town and is an artists haven. There is an outstanding array of historic buildings, with areas of XVI & XVII century architecture. The town also has numerous bars and restaurants; a variety of clothing shops; art galleries and craft shops in the medieval quarter (many buildings have been restored to their former glory). The Saturday market is a must. You'll see flower stalls giving a kaleidoscope of colours; seasonal vegetables in abundance and many other stalls selling a variety of local produce to tempt your taste buds.

Our introduction is far from complete and includes just a small selection of the cities, towns & villages of the Languedoc. For example consider the magnificent medieval city of Carcasonne, Roman Nimes or the wonderful Canal du Midi.

Languedoc Roussillon - Miles of fine sandy beaches, a hinterland rising up the foothills of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, a land of sun-filled charm, where the mountains of the Pyrenees plunge into the Mediterranean

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