A guide to Property and attractions in Languedoc Roussillon

Languedoc Roussillon is a region of incredibly varied landscapes from the Pyrenees Mountains, to the vineyards and the beaches. It has also been affected by many different civilisations over the last 2500 years and offers a rich history, culture & architecture. It is less densely developed than Provence and the Cote d'Azur giving it a natural and rustic feel while also having property for sale at about 60% of the price of Provence and the French Riviera.

Location

The Languedoc Roussillon region borders Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur to the east, Auvergne & Rhone-Alpes to the north & north east and Midi-Pyrenees to the west and north-west. It comprises five departments which from east to west are Gard, Lozere, Herault, Aude & Pyrenees Orientales.

Transport links This southern region is easily accessed by road, air or by train. It has no less than five airports in the region at Perpignan, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nimes and Beziers all operated by low cost airlines with frequent flights. Alternatively you can take the Eurostar all the way to Avignon or to Perpignan in 2009 which should boost property prices, business and tourism in the area.

Attractions

The Languedoc Roussillon has many attractive beaches and seaside resorts which compared to the Cote d'Azur are far less developed and more casual. These include the likes of the Sete which has quite a casual and natural feel to it to La Grande Motte with its Casino and nightlife, Palavas les Flots which is a relatively quiet fishing village. Further east and you reach the area known as the Cote Vermeille whose landscape becomes more rocky and cove-like with resorts such as Banyuls sur Mer and Collioure epitomising this. This area near the Pyrenees also has a distinctly Catalan culture and ambiance. Many people are also attracted to the vibrant city of Montpellier with its historical town centre and abundance of boutique and fashion shops. Nearby Aigues Mortes has the best example of medieval architecture today whose town centre and ramparts stem from the 13th century. Carcassonne with is medieval castle and Nimes with its Roman Amphitheatre are two cities which also have many interesting spots to visit and there are many smaller towns and villages like Pezenas which offers more rustic charm with its stone built houses and winding streets. You cannot ignore the strong presence of the Roman Empire here from Arles with its amphitheatre which is still in use to the Pont du Gard aqueduct. Equally the Cathar religion has also left its mark on this region notably seen in the fortresses they built in the Corbiere hills.

Activities

There are too many activities available here to list them however main ones include skiing and hiking in the Pyrenees, walking or horse riding on the Montagne noir or the Cevennes Natural Park with its many mountains, lakes, rivers and forests and visiting the Camargue with its vast wildlife from wild white horses to pink flamingos. This area also has many vineyards 2nd only in wine production to the Gironde and you can go on wine tasting trails as you visit its many quaint villages or travel along the Canal du Midi in a barge. There are also many festivals held throughout the year across the region and the excellent choice of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes in the main towns will keep you coming back for more.