About Languedoc
 
Everyday Life

Languedoc-Rousillon is a land where traditions are part of everyday life. The contrasts of countryside and variety of rural traditions form a distinct geographical and cultural unity, known well beyond the "borders" of its five departments.
 
The Camargue, the Roman country and the south Cévennes form the département that borders the river Rhône: the Gard département. The Languedoc coast, Haut-Languedoc and Minervois cover the départements of Hérault and the Aude, and include Corbières, the Cathare country and the Montagne Noire.
 
Next to the Spanish border, Roussillon, the Vermilion coast and the Catalonian Pyrénées make up the Eastern Pyrénées (Pyrénées-Orientales département). Lastly, Margeride, Aubrac, the Lot valley, the Gorges du Tarn and the north of the Cévennes together form the northernmost and most sparsely-populated département in Languedoc-Rousillon: Lozère.

Languedoc Traditions

Ancient crafts still thrive in the beautiful region known as the Camargue. In Sète and Palavas you can watch teams of fishermen jousting with each other from their boats in water tournaments. In the ancient fishing ports, from Grau-du-Roi to the Côte Vermeille, the pace of life has barely changed for centuries. Regattas, cruises, fishing contests and wind surfing events draw the crowds to lively modern resorts such as Port-Camargue, Europe’s premier sailing resort; la Grande-Motte, with its bold architecture; Cap d’Agde, Gruissan, Port-Leucate, Port-Barcarès and Saint-Cyprien. To the south, the pine-clad slopes of the Massif de la Clape rise above the resorts of Gruissan and Leucate.

Boasting nearly three hundred days of sunshine a year, you can’t fail to be impressed by the abundance of attractions endless sites and monuments, abbeys and castles. Added to this, Languedoc holds a rich cultural and historical heritage, impressive natural sites, seaside relaxation and sporting activities. There really is something to suit everyone’s taste.

The long sandy coastline of Languedoc-Roussillon stretches as far as Argelès-sur-Mer, then the wild, rocky headlands of the Côte Vermeille rise out of the sea. Great painters like Matisse and Picasso once found inspiration in the beauty and light of ports such as Collioure, Banyuls, Port-Vendres and Cerbère. The beaches of Languedoc are also a very popular destination for windsurfers.

Languedoc-Roussillon is the ideal location for a golfing holiday in the sun. With beautiful Mediterranean scenery, year-round sunshine and a huge variety of top quality courses tailored to suit different playing levels, Languedoc-Roussillon is fast becoming one of the most popular golfing destinations in Europe.

Food & Drink

The vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon are some of the oldest and largest in the world, and produce some of the most renowned French wines. Enthusiastic growers cultivate the vines across the region. The wine making districts extend from the right bank of the Rhône as far as the foothills of the Pyrénées. The wines of Languedoc-Roussillon are rich with a taste that lasts. They complement the local food perfectly, providing a contrast to the simple cuisine based on olive oil, vegetables, fish and bread.

Languedoc-Roussillon is also renowned for the diversity of its agricultural produce and boasts a delicious and authentic cuisine. Based on olive oil, garlic and basil, this cuisine is typically flavoured with herbs of the Provencal garrigue such as thyme, bay or rosemary. Cheeses (including Roquefort), wines, honey and fruit complement the rural and coastal specialities.

Excellent local chefs are keen to give you a taste of the real Languedoc-Roussillon. Cassoulet, ‘Brandade de Nîmes’, the ‘petits pâtés’ of Pézénas, Aligot, mushrooms such as Cèpes and giroles mushrooms, and of course fish based dishes such as anchoïade, ‘Bourride de Sète’, stuffed squids and don’t forget the local seafood platters where the pleasures of sight and taste are combined: snails, sea urchins, mussels, clams, and the chance to sample the Thau basin oysters.