Holiday Villas in Languedoc Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon is a sun-soak region that stretches from Provence to the Pyrenees, a mountain range that borders Spain. This beautiful region has a strategic border that it has held since Roman times, and is filled with history relating to this period, from the famous aqueducts to magical hilltop castles.

Today, Languedoc-Roussillon is better known for its vineyards, which produce a large amount of France’s wine. Some of the better-known wine varieties of this region are Vin de Pays d'Oc and sparkling Crémant de Limoux. The capital of the region, Montpellier, is a beautiful city that houses a wonderfully preserved medieval quarter.

Languedoc-Roussillon is split into three main areas, with each of which having their own distinct landscape and character. Bas-Languedoc is the coastal area that is home to some beautiful beaches, and of course the captivating cities of Montpellier and Nimes. Further inland is Haut-Languedoc, a wilder and more countrified area that is home to Parc National des Cevennes, which is home to hills, caves and forests. Then, to the southwest is Roussillon, which is situated on the Spanish border, close to Catalonia.

Attractions and Activities

There’s plenty to see and do in Languedoc-Roussillon, of course, one of the most see attractions while you are here is the vineyards. You can’t go to Languedoc-Roussillon and now visit the vineyards - there are plenty to choose from, each offering a range of activities, including wine tasting and vineyard tours. There’s plenty to see and do here, including plenty of trails to hike or cycle along - there are various companies offering bike hire here too. One place you cannot miss while you’re here is Cirque de Navacelles, an incredible canyon and gorge. Le Jardin de Saint Adrien is another attraction that’s worth a visit, due to how wonderfully tranquil the gardens are.

Food

With Languedoc-Roussillon being so close to the Spanish border and Catalonia, the Catalan influence is clearly visible in many of the regional dishes of this area. Foods like brandade, which is a puree of dried cod that has been wrapped in beetroot leaves, cream with lemon, vanilla and fennel seed, snails are also a popular dish, seafood is also a key part of the local diet, especially mussels, sea bream, and squid. Most dishes served here come with locally produced olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic herbs. A regional delicacy is oysters from Etang de Thau, which are served in restaurants across the region.

Climate

The climate in Languedoc-Roussillon is Mediterranean, which means mild winters and consistently dry, sunny summers, with moderate springs and autumns. This is the sunniest area in France that has an average of 300 days of sunshine each year. However, the weather does sometimes vary, depending on the part of the region. In the mountains, the winters are cold and snowy, whereas on the coast it’s usually sunny and warm. Second to Corsica, Languedoc-Roussillon is the hottest in France. In the autumn and spring, there are heavy showers, and there are also occasional frosts in certain areas.