Choice Holidays
ert
em le Dés
Saint Guilh rd Liegeois
©Ber na Situated in the south-east of France, bounded by
the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the
Pyrenees and Spain to the south, Languedoc-
Roussillon is a region rich in history and beauty
and is so diverse that you can have a different
holiday each time you visit.
enefiting from a warm Mediterranean
B climate, the friendly Languedoc-Roussillon
coast features seaside resorts open to
both the sea and countryside ensuring that your
holidays can be either calm or action-packed.
Enjoy all the nautical activities that Languedoc-
Roussillon has to offer: regattas, cruises, sport
fishing, windsurfing, kite-surfing, there’s something
for everyone. Gruissan and the Massif de la Clape
are year-round windsurfing paradises.
Picasso and Matisse didn’t choose Roussillon by
chance: they came to capture the light and colour
of the Côte Vermeille, Collioure, Banyuls, Port-
Vendres and Cerbère, in magical moments. These
historic and amazingly beautiful ports punctuate
huge fine sand beaches and cosy inlets surrounded
by towering cliffs at the foot of the Pyrenees.
The cities and towns of Languedoc-Roussillon
are historic and lively with shady sidewalk cafés
and narrow, winding streets leading to places that
rushing tourists never get to see.
Montpellier, the regional capital is a cultural,
scientific and artistic crossroads with an
incomparable heritage. L’Ecusson, with its Place de
la Comédie, – one of the oldest and most
important squares in the whole of Metz and
dominated by the opera house – stretches all
the way to the new Antigone quarter designed
by Ricardo Bofill. The narrow streets, lined by
many 17th- and 18th-century mansions lead to
St Peter’s cathedral, the western world’s oldest
medical school, the Place Royale du Peyrou
and the botanical gardens created during the
reign of Henry IV.
Béziers, in the heart of the Languedoc
wine country, is marked by its cathedral
that stands proudly between L'Orb and the
Canal du Midi; and the fabulous, perfectly
preserved medieval town of Carcassonne
stands witness to 2,500 years of history
and 1,000 years of military architecture,
with the earliest fortifications dating
back to the sixth century.
Languedoc-Roussillon is a
promised land for craftsmen
practicing their skills, from basket-
making in Vallabrègues to
jewellery-making around
Perpignan. In Saint-Quentin,
pottery-making is a living
8 Choice Villas & Apartments January 2008
heritage. Potters who have moved back here have created
the "Maison de la Terre" (“House of the Earth”). Anduze, a
few kilometres away, is a garden of Eden for ceramics with
the glazed vases made there being famous worldwide.
Textiles and stone also remain symbols of Languedoc-
Roussillon’s flourishing past in craftsmanship.
Languedoc-Roussillon’s natural areas offer thrilling,
majestic spectacles. The further inland you stray from the
coastline, the deeper into a natural wonderland you enter!
In the Lozère animal parks, Aubrac and the Margeride,
wolves and bison roam in semi-freedom in huge natural
areas where visitors can see these mammals, whose origins
often date back to prehistoric towns, on foot, horseback or
in horse-drawn carriages. This area offers a chance to enjoy
relaxing outdoor activities, from fishing to golfing,
horseback-riding or thermal spas.
Leaving the Lozère between Hérault and Aude, the
landscape alternates between Mediterranean scrub and oak
forests. The Vis Gorges and the Cirque of Navacelles are
two of the most beautiful areas. You can explore the history
of Romanesque architecture from the Montagne Noire,
where the springs that feed the Canal du Midi are born, to
castles, abbeys and fortified walls. Or you can cross the
Minervois, a land of wine and olives, in a sightseeing rail car.
You’ll regain your energy when you see the looming
Canigou and Carlit peaks of the Pyrenees standing out
against the bright blue sky if you approach them from the
banks of the Roussillon. Here, anything is possible: skiing,
mountain-climbing, hiking and camping in the great
outdoors. The 2,785m summit of Canigou is the roof of a
wonderful world.
anguedoc-Roussillon offers you every imaginable sport
L and leisure activity – and more! Throughout the ski
season, you can enjoy the slopes at Les Bouviers and
Bleymard in Lozère and the many resorts in the Pyrenees.
Water is
everywhere in Small fishing bo
Languedoc-Roussillon, at, Collioure
©Paul Palau/CRT
so why not enjoy
thalassotherapy,
balneotherapy and
thermalism?
Seawater and hot
springs offer unique
opportunities for
health, fitness and
beauty.
Languedoc-Roussillon’s 20 golf courses all have one thing
in common: maximum sunshine to play longer and more
often in the best conditions. Choose your golf course
 Languedoc-Roussillon
depending on your desires: Californian, landscaped or high-
altitude.
passion for horses and
bulls is the root of
Useful info
With its 27 marinas and 30,000 moorings, Languedoc- many events in the
Temperature
Roussillon is wide open to the Mediterranean. Pleasure-
boating can be enjoyed in many ways: coastal or ocean-going
region, especially
courses camarguaises Dec–Feb 11 s
°C Mar–May
Jun–Aug 27 18°C
navigation, underwater or deep-sea fishing, etc. And there is no and bullfighting. In the °C Sep–Nov
Average daily
maximum – 20°C
guide only
shortage of attractions for people who would rather watch, courses camarguaises,
including sport or leisure races, boating shows and the Tour de "razeteurs" dressed Currency Euro
www.xe.com
France sailboat race. You don’t have to be an experienced in white try to pluck (currency con
verter)
boater or hold a special license to explore Languedoc- rosettes from
Roussillon by water: on the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World between the horns
C a p ital Montpellier
Heritage Site, anyone can rent a boat for a day or a week. of Camargue bulls. Further info
Courage and thrills www.sunfra
n a place with so much diversity, there are as many food nce.com

I traditions as areas. The palette of flavours grows a little

wider every step of the way, from shellfish platters heaped
with oysters, mussels and clams to gorgeous fruits, vegetables
are guaranteed!
In addition to
traditional festivals,
Languedoc-
G etting there
British Airw
Ryanair www.
ays www.ba.co
ryanair.com
m
and herbs and of course olives, the culinary queen here, finds
good company in basil, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf and sorrel. Roussillon hosts
Higher up, where the vegetation is sparser, you enter the countless artistic
tempting land of chestnuts, wild mushrooms and Lozère events that highlight
cheeses. Discover them at markets, speciality shops and local life. Whether you like dance, music, cinema or
restaurants with the "Restaurateurs de France" label, which do theatre, whether you enjoy jazz or classical concerts, over 200
an outstanding job of festivals give the cultural life its dynamic rhythm. Take
Carcassonne view ©R. Nourry/CRT preparing local home- advantage of them to discover new talents and original
grown products to creations, often in surprising, beautiful venues, such as historic
their best advantage. monuments, fishing harbour and even quarries!
Festivals are a part The departments of Aude, Gard, Hérault, Lozère and
of life in Languedoc- Pyrénées-Orientales which make up Languedoc-Roussillon
Roussillon! A combined await your arrival, but which holiday will you choose?

Canal du Midi, Le Somail

©Paul Palau/CRT

Choice Villas & Apartments January 2008 9

 Languedoc Roussillon

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 HOLIDAY RENTAL PROPERTIES & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICE
Call us: 0033 679554335 / 0033 467491794 / 0844 232 8583
Languedoc Roussillon

E-mail: info@allezlanguedoc.com Web: www.allezlanguedoc.com

We have a wide choice of properties to rent :-
★ Villas and chateaux with private pools or near beaches
★ Villas on golf courses with shared pools
★ Unusual village houses & country houses ★ Beachfront or town apartments
★ Chambres d’Hôtes rooms in fabulous châteaux
We also offer a friendly and efficient service for home owners for changeovers,
pool cleaning, maintenance, decorating, security visits and language assistance.

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