Regions of France: Languedoc-Roussillon. Languedoc - Roussillon French South in all its glory Historical Languedoc on the map of France

Exquisite France beckons Russian tourists like a magnet. What could be better country, where residents are full of self-respect, but at the same time charmingly playful, where modern neighborhoods coexist with buildings from the time of the Roman Empire?

Where is Languedoc located?

Languedoc is a wonderful region in the south of France, on the very border with Spain. Mountains in the south, the Mediterranean in the east, mild climate and magnificent landscapes - that's what this region is all about. True, now the historical province is divided into two - Languedoc-Roussillon and the Southern Pyrenees, and the capital of the region, Toulouse, has moved to the second. But when a Frenchman says "Languedoc", he certainly has in mind this wonderful city. Although the official administrative center- Montpellier.

In terms of size, the province ranks eighth in France - more than 27 thousand square kilometers. It is quite densely populated - almost 2.7 million people live in cities and wine-growing villages, of which there are a great many. The vineyards are irrigated with water from the Rhone and Herault flowing here.

Ages of Prosperity

Ancient France was divided into regions more obviously. Languedoc was part of Occitania - a vast area where even the language was its own, Occitan. It came under the authority of the French crown only in the XIII century, in the era of the glorious Sun King Louis XIV. A long period of independence, its own language, customs and a developed agrarian economy (from time immemorial, excellent wine has been produced here) have led to the fact that this region has always been, as it were, a “state within a state”. Perhaps that is why, despite the proximity of the sea and the wonderful climate, they began to turn it into a resort only in the nineteenth century - at a time when the Cote d'Azur had already managed to take all the tourist glory for itself.

That is why there are fewer vacationers here, prices are lower than on the Riviera, and you can spend a vacation just as well. Resorts here still managed to grow.

Now the linguistic differences have disappeared, practically no one speaks Occitan, but the residents of the region still have a keen sense of their own exclusivity. Traditionally, people here are freedom-loving. Far left and far right political movements originate from here, artists with open-minded thinking are born here.

Resorts of Languedoc

Although resort areas began to develop only a century and a half ago, coastal cities can boast of solid size, good infrastructure and summer period receive thousands of tourists.

If you are most interested in beaches, you should definitely go to the oldest resort in the region - La Grande Motte. The coastline with the finest sand, beyond which the picturesque hills spread - the place looks truly idyllic. In winter, the town seems to die out, but in summer it is very crowded.

Do you want a lot of rides, cozy gatherings in restaurants and races in souvenir shops? Lekath-Barkare will provide you with all this. Do you want something unusual? Gruissan and Cap d'Agde, located at the foot of a dormant volcano, will satisfy your thirst.

Cap d'Agde - the capital of nudism

By the way, the latter is known for very free morals: there is a very large nudist beach (2 kilometers of coastline), where you can expose not only your chest - no one will pay attention if you bathe and sunbathe without a piece of cloth at all. You can also come to the restaurant in what your mother gave birth to. For conservatives, there is also a traditional beach with swimsuits and decorum. Getting here is easy by high-speed train from Paris - the road from Gare de Lyon takes about 4 hours.

This place is clearly divided into three parts - the old Agde on the banks of the Hérault, where you can admire architectural monuments; the fishing port of Grau d'Agde, very colorful; and Cap d'Agde itself - a cheerful resort on the cape. It is best to walk here, admiring the houses made of volcanic rock. From cultural impressions - the Agatua Museum, Fort Brescu, the 240-kilometer Canal du Midi.

There are a great many hotels here - about 30, but almost all of them are two or three stars. There are two fours, and one in the nudist area (Résidence Hôtelière Natureva-Spa from 5.5 thousand per night). "Dressed" more expensive - Oz "inn Hôtel from 11 thousand per night, there is for 4.5 thousand - Résidence Thalacap. A room in a "kopeck piece" will cost 2.5-3 thousand rubles (Alhambra, Hôtel Azur), in a "three-ruble note" - from three thousand.

Main cities of Languedoc

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is another face of the Languedoc. This small town, covering both banks of the Ode River, has no access to the sea, but it did not grow for the last century and a half, but has been mentioned for 2000 years, even before our era. Ancient stone castles, harsh fortresses - it is good to come for a couple of days of excursions.

You can get here by train from the capital of the Montpellier region. Here you will see the Gallic fortress preserved from ancient times, defensive walls - they are called the Upper Town and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Museum of the Inquisition on the territory of the citadel is also very interesting - where else can you see a real guillotine and a chastity belt? And "for dessert" - a house with ghosts in the neighborhood.

However, you can go here not only to join the historical past - there are very decent five-star hotels Hotel de la Cite Carcassonne - MGallery Collection (from 11.4 thousand rubles per night) and Domaine d'Auriac (from 8.7 thousand). A room in the "four" will cost 5.5-8 thousand, 2.8-4 - in the "three", and good "twos" can be found for two thousand rubles (ibis budget Carcassonne La Cité, for example).

And here they are well fed - the dish "kasule" visiting old wine cellars should certainly be included in the program of any tourist.

Montpellier

Montpellier, the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon, rises on the hills ten kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. Palm trees on the streets, many cafes with relaxed townspeople - this is a typical southern town filled with bliss and sybaritism. Flights from Paris regularly fly here, and in season from other European countries.

A beach holiday is possible here - the 28th bus runs to the coast, the journey will cost about three euros, but from of course you will have to walk for about 20 minutes. The location is not the most convenient if you are only interested in tanning and gentle waves - it is better to choose another place.

But here you can arrange excellent shopping. For expensive things - in boutiques on Fochy Street near De la Comedie Square. For non-branded European clothes and shoes - in shopping centers Inno and FNAK. On Sunday, you should take the tram and take the blue line to the Mosson stop - there under open air flea market unfolds. You can buy branded items much cheaper, and how much vintage and cute souvenirs there are can not be conveyed at all.

It is good to walk along the narrow streets of the Aragonese quarter - the buildings of the twelfth century will seem unknown to the modern city dweller. And in the Antigone quarter you can see the experiments of the modernists. City of contrasts, not otherwise. A good place for walking - Botanical Garden, zoo.

Every summer there is a jazz festival, at the end of July - an international dance festival.

Here you can also arrange a feast of the stomach. The best restaurants are near the main square, Comedy. But pay attention to the many ethnic restaurants and eateries with kebabs, sandwiches, Chinese cuisine, etc. Typically French coffee houses are concentrated on Louis Blanc street.

The most luxurious hotel in the local area is the five-star Domaine de Verchant Relais & Châteaux, a night costs from 14.5 thousand rubles. Four-star hotels are more economical - 4.5-5 thousand per room (Crowne Plaza Montpellier Corum, Suite Novotel Montpellier, Hôtel Oceania Le Métropole). Three-ruble notes will be a little cheaper, two-star hotels are not far behind them.

Perpignan and surroundings

The south of Languedoc is already mountainous regions of the Pyrenees. The largest city here is Perpignan - it has many old buildings, and in the vicinity there are still preserved wooden fortresses of the seventeenth century. The towns of Prat de Molo, Elna, Nimes are also very picturesque. And in the latter they invented the famous denim - it is called de-nim, that is, “from Nim”.

Here are magnificent natural parks - marshland, juniper groves, volcanic mountains, river deltas with many birds.

Languedoc-Roussillon on the map of France

Why go to Languedoc?

Languedoc is a truly amazing, distinctive region. Intellectuals will feel good here, who will enjoy visiting architectural sights and museums, and reckless young people who are ready to drink wine and walk around naked all day, and gourmets, who will be delighted with local cuisine and wines, and extreme sportsmen who will be offered mountain hikes in the Pyrenees. The region is not as popular as the Cote d'Azur, it is calmer and cheaper here.

A trip to Languedoc is a great way to enjoy French cuisine and fine wines, sunbathe on the beach and join the cultural monuments. You will not spend astronomical amounts, as on the Riviera, but you will experience all the charms of a holiday in romantic, freedom-loving, sophisticated France.

Carcassonne is one of the most interesting fortresses in Europe. During the Gallo-Roman period, its double walls were designed to protect the inhabitants of the city from enemy raids. Subsequently, the new owners of the fortress erected 52 guard towers along the entire perimeter of the walls.

The current appearance of the fortress of Carcassonne is the result of a free reconstruction in 1997. The fortress is a museum and is protected by the state. Entrance fee (about 9 euros).

To the west of the fortress is the modern city of Carcassonne, where more than 45 thousand people live. The city has preserved a large number of old houses, bringing their own medieval flavor to the general appearance of Carcassonne. The city sells many different themed souvenirs.

lower city

In the southern part of France is amazing beautiful city Carcassonne. The city is divided into two completely different parts: the Upper Town and the Lower Town, also known as the Bastide.

The lower city stretches along the banks of the Aude, and was previously surrounded by ramparts, and now it is a boulevard ring, 3 meters long. Bastide consists of numerous residential and administrative buildings. The buildings are located in the form of a regular hexagon, the corners of which are decorated with high medieval bastions. All the streets of the Lower City intersect at one, central point - Carnot Square. Most of the streets are for pedestrians only.

The main, frequently visited places by tourists include the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and the Church of St. Vincent and the Carmelites, which also adorn the Bastide.

The lower city of Carcassonne is distinguished by ancient buildings and structures, so it is protected by the state as a historical monument.

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Languedoc Canal

Languedoc Canal, Canal South, Canal du Midi - all these are the names of the same waterway, which is a real masterpiece of engineering. Laid in the 17th century and connecting the Atlantic with the Mediterranean Sea, the 240-kilometer Canal du Midi continues to amaze the imagination today. The construction of the canal lasted for 14 years, 15,000 workers worked on its construction. With the completion of construction in 1681, Languedoc began rapid development trade.

The number of different structures on the canal includes 328 objects, including locks, bridges, dams and even one tunnel 173 meters long, laid under the hill.

Thanks to a system of locks, of which there are more than a hundred on the Canal du Midi, the canal rises and falls. The total height difference is 190 meters.

The Museum of the Inquisition is located in medieval city Carcassonne, located in the south of France.

The museum was created on the site where in the Middle Ages the Inquisition held a trial of the Cathars, who were considered heretics.

The Museum of the Inquisition recalls the times when heretics were burned at the stake and subjected to various tortures. In the museum you can see the instruments of torture and punishment used by the inquisitors: garrote, chastity belt, rack, guillotines and the long-known electric chair.

University of Montpellier

The University of Montpellier is one of the oldest in France. In the Middle Ages, he became famous throughout the world, thanks to his advanced discoveries in the field of medicine. Today, the university includes three large museums - the Museum of Anatomy, "Atzher" and the Museum of Pharmacy. The university library is a real treasure - over one hundred thousand thematic books and 900 manuscripts are collected here.

The founding date of the University of Montpellier is considered to be the 1220th year. Then Cardinal Conrad managed to get approval from Pope Honorius III to establish a medical school. This was a turning point in the development of the school, because the patronage of such an influential person meant an absolute monopoly on the education and practice of medicine.

The most famous graduates of the university are Francois Rabelais and Nostradamus.

Gar bridge

The Gar Bridge is included in the list of UNESCO World Historical and Cultural Heritage Sites. It was built to provide water to the city of Nimes on the orders of Marcus Agrippa, who was the son-in-law of the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus. The bridge was built without the use of lime and was part of a 50-kilometer-long water supply system. The aqueduct has three tiers. There are six arches in the lowest tier, eleven in the second, and thirty-five in the top. The width of the arches decreases as you approach the shore. Shortly after the fall of the Great Roman Empire, the aqueduct ceased to function, but despite this, the aqueduct itself was used as a bridge for wagons for a long time. Part of the pillars were hollowed out to allow the passage of large vehicles, which created a threat of collapse of the entire structure. For this reason, in 1747, a new bridge, corresponding to the technical requirements of that time, and traffic on the Pont du Gard gradually ceased. By order of Napoleon III ancient monument has been restored.

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Jewish bath

Montpellier is mentioned in documents as early as the end of the 1st century AD. The legacy of the rich history of the city is recorded in monuments that have survived to this day. One of them is an old mikveh, or ritual Jewish bath of the 13th century, a kind of memory of the once influential local Jewish community.

The pool, or bath for ritual Jewish ablutions, is built of light limestone and is one of the best-preserved such ancient structures in the world. As a historical monument, the mikvah was opened in 1985. And today it is filled with clear water and is ready to serve its intended purpose. However, you can only get inside with a guide. Archaeological excavations are still being carried out around.

The most popular attractions in Languedoc-Roussillon with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places Languedoc-Roussillon on our website.

More attractions in Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon is an old region in the south of France. Its entire territory is divided into three zones. Where the terrain is hilly, vineyards lined up: in the foothills of the Pyrenees and the Central Massif of Minervois, Saint-Chignan and Faugères, as well as Bagyul, Corbières, part of the Coteaux-du-Languedoc and the western part of Fitou. In the south and southwest of the region, large areas are occupied by mountain system, forming the natural border of the French region with Spain and Andorra. In the flat area are located most of the Coteaux-du-Languedoc, part of the Corbières and the coastal region of Fitou. Finally, the area of ​​Cabardes, Malper and Limou belongs to the "Atlantic Corridor", which is under tangible impact.
In the Languedoc-Roussillon region, about two dozen relatively large rivers, seemingly peaceful and quiet, but after heavy rain they form swift streams, and during the period of drought they completely dry up. River deposits formed the relief of the entire flat part of the Languedoc-Roussillon.
Here is the warmest region of France, with hot and dry summers and warm, wet winters. It rains infrequently, but in the form of showers, and it is almost impossible to predict them. There is a wide variety of winds here: arid mistral and tramontane blow from the coast, sea breezes reduce the air temperature.
In these climatic conditions The most common agricultural crops were grapes and olives.
The remains of the Tota-Velsky man, a subspecies of Homo erectus, found here, allow us to assert that the first people lived in this area no later than 450 thousand years ago. The found subspecies is one of the oldest in Europe.
8 period 7500-1500 BC e. here lived the Ligurian and Iberian tribes, later driven out by the Celts. In the ancient period - 600-500 years BC. e. - Phoenician colonies appeared on the coast, followed by Greek colonies. In the 60s BC. e. an era has come in Languedoc Ancient rome, large trading and port cities grew here, the Roman province of Narbonne Gaul was created. From that time, roads, canals and aqueducts have been preserved here to this day. This territory differs markedly from other Roman provinces in that it managed to survive the first waves of the invasion of the Germanic tribes and even retained its administration and culture. But in 300-500 years, tribes of Vandals and Visigoths invaded here, destroying many cities.
Around 720, the lands of Languedoc were occupied by the Saracens, until 865, when this region was completely under the rule of Catalonia. Wars followed one after another, and Languedoc turned into a theater of military operations for a fertile site mediterranean coast.
In the second half of the ninth century On the territory of Languedoc, the County of Toulouse arose. In the X-XI centuries. it was the largest feudal state of southern France, different from other parts of France high level economic development caused by the early formation of crafts and trade, as well as the prosperity of the independent cities of Nimes, Beziers, Narbonne, Montpellier, which retained the republican structure almost from ancient times.
The development of sciences and arts caused the emergence of several Christian heretical movements, followed by religious wars, as a result of which in the XIII century. most of these territories were annexed to France.
Then it appears current name region. To distinguish this land from the northern French Languedoile, it was called "Languedoc". It literally means "language ok", where "ok" is the southern French version of the particle "yes", as opposed to the northern French "oil" (later "wee").
Because of this linguistic phenomenon, it is customary to refer to Languedoc as the entire region of the distribution of Occitan (Provencal) dialects, or the entire southern part of present-day France.
Part of the region was originally called Ruscino: this name was given to it by the Romans, and it came from the center of the settlement of the Sardone tribe who once lived here. Later - in the language of the Franks - the name was transformed into Roussillon.
Languedoc-Roussillon is the main viticulture and winemaking region, producing more than 40% of all French wines and a third of all grapes. Because of this, this region is called in France "vin-du-lac", or "lake of wine". The province has been making wine for more than 2,000 years, offering a high-quality and expensive product, and collectible drinks even reach exorbitant prices.
Olives are still grown here, as in the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Languedoc-Roussillon is famous for its lavender and rare varieties of sheep and goat cheese. Lake-lagoon Etang-de-To - the second largest lake in France, not only famous tourist facility, but also a breeding ground for oysters and mussels. The city of Sète is the main fishing port of the region, where the fishing industry has always been one of the most important. And one more ancient, since Roman times, branch of the economy is the extraction of salt from sea ​​water in coastal lagoons.
Unique complex Agriculture in the region would not have been possible without the du-Midi of the Languedoc, or South, 240 km long canal, which merges with the Garonne Canal, going to. The canal was dug under the king Louis XIV in the 17th century and in 1996 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was through this channel that wheat from Languedoc-Roussillon got to the north of France, from where it was traded with all of Europe.
Modern Languedoc-Roussillon is also an aerospace, electronics and biotech industry, with businesses centered in Montpellier.
Languedoc-Roussillon is the historical district of the Provencals, or Occitans. In the ninth century this ethnic group was a whole nationality, and until the 16th century. Provencals were called the inhabitants of all of southern France. Today, the Provençal language is spoken only in villages, and even then not in many, but the “Provencal spirit” is love of freedom and pride in ancient history native land alive everywhere.
Periodically makes itself known social movement for the revival of the Provençal language and literature.
Languedoc-Roussillon is the land of countless monuments of the past. Its small towns are known for buildings of pre-Roman and Roman culture: amphitheaters, triumphal arches, aqueducts.
The most famous cities Languedoc - Montpellier and Nimes.
The historical sights of Carcassonne are concentrated in the Upper and Lower Towns. In the Upper Town there are Narbonne Gates with buttresses of the 13th century leading to the fortress; the Cathedral of St. Nazarius - a Romanesque building of the 11th century, standing on a foundation whose age has been lost for centuries; and castle of the XII-XIII centuries. noble family Trancavel - the former owners of Carcassonne. The Old Bridge of the 14th century has been preserved in the Lower Town.
Beziers is one of the oldest cities in France: it was founded in the 7th century BC. e. The main attraction of Beziers is the Cathedral of St. Nazarius in the Romanesque style, built in the 13th century. The peculiarity of this city is also in the fact that every year the Feria festival is held here, reminiscent of the Spanish bullfight.
Perpignan occupies a special place, if only because it was once the capital of an entire state - Catalonia, until in 1659 it was ceded to France under the Treaty of the Pyrenees. Perpignan is the capital of the Eastern Pyrenees department, which remains a kind of Spanish enclave in France. Many Spaniards and Catalans live here, who have preserved their original culture.
The Languedoc cities of Montpellier are no less famous - with the first botanical garden in France, the Jardin des Plantes, founded in 1593, and Nimes, where the Pont du Gard stands, or the Gar bridge (I century), the highest surviving ancient Roman three-tiered aqueduct : length 275 m, height 47 m.
Languedoc-Roussillon is also one of the most popular resort areas throughout Europe. Cap d'Ag, Palava-le-Flo, La Gros-du-Roi - all these exotic names are the names of tiny fishing villages that turned into fashionable resorts at the beginning of the 20th century.

general information

Location: Western Europe.
Administrative division: departments of Aude, Hérault, Gard, Lozère, Eastern Pyrenees.
Administrative center: Montpellier. 253 998 people (2008).
Languages: French - up to 90%, Catalan, Provencal.
Ethnic composition: French - ok. 90%, others - 10% (including Algerians, Moroccans, Portuguese, Catalans, Spaniards).
Religions: Catholicism (majority), Protestantism, Islam, atheism.
Currency unit: Euro.
Major cities: Montpellier - 253,998 people (2008), Nimes - 140,267 people. (2008), Perpignan - 120,100 people. (2009), Beziers - 71,672 people. (2008).
Major rivers: Rhone, Gar, Ero, Od, Orb, Tarn.
Major Port: Set.
The most important airports: international airports Montpellier-Mediteran, Nimes-Ales-Camargues-Cevennes (Nim-Taron).
External borders: French regions Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - in the east and southeast, Rhone-Alpes - in the east, Auvergne - in the north, Southern Pyrenees - in the west, Andorra - in the west, Spain - in the south, Mediterranean Sea - in the east.

Numbers

Area: 27,376 km2.
Population: 2,610,890 (2009).
Population density: 95.4 people/km2 (150-300 people/km2 in cities and on the Mediterranean coast, 7.4 people/km2 in mountainous areas).
The most high point: Carlit peak, 2921 m (Oriental Pyrenees department).

Economy

Minerals: coal, bauxite.
Industry: engineering, metalworking, oil refining, high technology, pharmaceutical, chemical, light (textile), food.
Agriculture: viticulture, fruits, vegetables, animal husbandry (cattle breeding).
Winemaking.
Fishing.
Service sector: tourism, trade.

Climate and weather

Mediterranean.
January average temperature:+8°C
July average temperature:+25°С.
Average annual rainfall: 750 mm - in the east, 450 mm - in the west, 400 mm - on the Mediterranean coast, in the south, 1200 mm - in the foothills, in the north.

sights

■ City of Montpellier: Aragon Palace (XIII century), Jardin des Plantes Botanical Garden (XVI century), Promenade du Peyrou gardens, Montpellier Cathedral (XIV-XIX centuries), La Comedie Square;
■ City of Perpignan: Fort La Castilet (XIV century), Saint-Gene Cathedral (XIV-XVI centuries), St. Mary's Church (XVI century), building railway station, Rigaud Museum, Collioure Castle (XIII century), La Miranda Park;
■ City of Nimes: Pont du Gard, or Garsky bridge-aqueduct (1st century), Les Arenes amphitheater (1st century AD), Temple of Diana (2nd century AD), Notre Dame Cathedral - Saint-Castor (XVI century). public garden Jardin de la Fontaine (XVIII century);
■ City of Beziers: Pont Neuf bridge, Saint-Nazaire Cathedral (XIII-XVII centuries);
■ City of Narbon: the Roman ruins of Orreum, the Gothic cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur, the Archbishop's Palace, the Marchand bridge, the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Lamourgui;
■ City of Carcassonne: Cathedral of St. Nazarius (XI century), Trancavel castle (XII-XIII centuries), Bastide-Saint-Louis fortress (XIII century), Narbonne gates (XIII century), Old bridge (XIV century), embankment river Od (XVII century). Fountain "Neptune" (XVIII century), Palace of Justice (XIX century);
■ City of Set: Fort Saint-Pierre (XVII century);
■ City of Albi: the museum of the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the castle of La Berbier (XIII century), the Gothic cathedral of Saint-Cecile (XIII century);
■ City of Kord: underground tunnels of the Albigensians, wooden mansions(XII-XIV centuries);
■ City of Aigues-Mortes: fortress (XIII century), salt fields;
■ City of Agde: houses made of black volcanic stone.
■ Hauts-Languedoc Regional Natural Park.
■ national park Seven.
■ Reserve (Rhone Delta): relic semi-steppe natural complexes.
■ Lagoon Etang de Tho: oyster gardens.
■ Canal du Midi (Languedoc, or South Canal).
■ The resorts of Cap d "Ag, Palava-le-Flot, La Gros-du-Roi, La Grande-Mot, Valra, Saint-Pierre, Narbon-Plage;
■ Gorge of the river Tarn.

Curious facts

■ Languedoc-Roussillon - in fact, two very different areas, united in one region. Provencal traditions are still alive in Languedoc today, while in Roussillon, which was under Spanish rule for a long time, the Catalan culture has been preserved. For example, in Roussillon it is customary to paint houses in different bright colors.
■ The symbol of the city of Nimes is the ancient Roman amphitheater Les Arenes (1st century AD), considered one of the best preserved Roman arenas in the world. Built for gladiator fights, it could accommodate more than 20,000 spectators. This building is still used for arena fights: Nimes is considered the main European center for bullfighting outside of Spain.

The joyful and friendly region of Languedoc-Roussillon is located in the south of France, bounded from the north by the Massif Central, from the south by the Pyrenees. Its shores are washed by the Mediterranean Sea, there are many resorts with wonderful sandy beaches. In the small towns of the region, historical heritage has been carefully preserved: castles, cathedrals, palaces and mansions of the French aristocracy. This is one of the largest wine regions in the world. Wine production here began in the 3rd century BC. The vineyards cover an area of ​​approximately 400,000 hectares.

By the double name, it is easy to guess that earlier these were two different regions: Languedoc and Roussillon. And although politics and commerce have woven them together, in terms of geography and culture, they have remained different.

The region is only three hours away from Paris by high-speed TGV train.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is able to surprise the tourist with its living fabulous paintings. Numerous defensive towers and jagged ancient defensive walls amaze with their grandeur. This medieval city fortification is incredibly well preserved and worth seeing. The castle was built on a wide hill with a height of 148 meters; for the Middle Ages, it was an advantageous strategic place. Carcassonne has an elliptical shape, it is surrounded by a double chain of thick defensive walls with 54 towers. The fortifications, partly from the French Gothic period, were built during the reign of Louis IX, in 1250, and under Philippe Bold, in 1280. Every year in July, Carcassonne invites tourists to an unforgettable

Montpellier

Montpellier - chief tourist centre region. It is located near the river Lez, in its valley. The city is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by 10 kilometers. This is the administrative center of Occitania. Here, nature has created ideal conditions for growing grapes. Travelers are attracted by elegant buildings, grandiose squares and a mild Mediterranean climate. In that busy city many universities. In the 13th century it belonged to the kings of Aragon, and in the 16th century it was the capital of the Huguenots, today it is the center of culture in France. There are art galleries and museums here. The main museum of the city of Fabre houses an exceptional collection of works by Italian, Dutch and French painters from the Renaissance to the present. A walk through the narrow streets of Montpellier will allow you to admire the medieval houses. The most suitable area for a leisurely walking tour is the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle in the east of the Old Town.

Ceret

Seret is located 32 km southwest of Perpignan in the beautiful countryside of the foothills of the Pyrenees. This is the city of artists. As early as the beginning of the 20th century, at the invitation of the sculptor from Catalonia Manolo and the composer Deodat de Severac, many famous painters moved to Sere, which has since turned into a creative settlement. Here, the Museum of Modern Art houses an amazingly rich collection of works by contemporary masters for a small city: Matisse, Chagall, Maillol, Dali, Manolo, Picasso and Tapies.

Narbonne

This is a former important port of the Roman Empire, and now a small seaside town. A special attraction of Narbo - central square surrounded by majestic buildings. A magnificent collection of paintings, enamels, furniture and ceramics is exhibited in the Museum of Arts and History, which is housed in the palace of the archbishop of the 13th-14th centuries. The Museum of Archeology is also located there, where classical, prehistoric and medieval exhibits are kept. Must visit Old and New palaces 12th and 14th century, the impressive structure of the Cathedral of Saint-Just, erected in 1272-1332, which represents northern French Gothic architecture. Tourists will hear the magnificent singing of the choir under its vaults and see the stained-glass window of the 14th century. The building of the church of Saint-Paul-Serge of the XII century, erected in the early Gothic style, is located in the southwestern part of the city.

Amelie les Bains

The resort town, which is spread out in a picturesque valley, owes its name to the wife of King Louis-Philippe. Even the ancient Romans noted the value mineral water from a local natural source. Of the sights, you should visit the ruins of ancient Roman baths and the church of the 10th century. Every year in August, the international folklore festival of music and dance of the peoples of the world is held here.

Arles-sur-Tech

This is a small scenic old town near the peak of Puig de l "Estelle, on the territory of which Sainte-Marie is located, founded in the VIII century. Over time, a city appeared around it. In the abbey church you can get acquainted with ancient sarcophagi, the oldest of which dates back to the IV century. Beautiful and elegant It looks like an early Gothic monastery of the 13th century.The building of the parish church near the abbey impresses with its tower and rich interior decoration.It is worth taking a walk to the De la Fou Gorge and enjoying the stunning natural views.

Abbey of Saint-Martin-du-Canigou

The picturesque location and long history of St. Martin's monastery attract tourists here. It looks like a fortress and was built over an abyss at an altitude of 2785 meters - on the top of a sheer cliff. The stunning landscapes here and the historic church of the monastery delight visitors. This Romanesque abbey is famous for its 11th century monastery. The view from the top of the hill allows you to calmly contemplate the beauties of the province of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Prades

This small but picturesque town is located in the Tete Valley, near the foot of Le Canigou. It is only 44 km from Perpignan. Prades is located on the territory of the regional natural park Catalan This city is culturally linked to neighboring Catalonia. The border with Spain is guarded by a fortress on Mount Louis, its author is the great architect Vauban. With its Romanesque tower and paintings by the 17th-century Catalan artist Leo Polge, the Gothic St. Pierre Cathedral stands out among other attractions. The famous cellist Pablo Casals (1876-1973) lived here in exile. In his honor, a chamber music festival is held annually in Prada from July to August.

Aigues-Mortes

The historic city is known for its fortifications, which were built in the Middle Ages. The area adjacent to it nature reserve Camargue. Surrounded by a rectangle of huge city walls, in which there are 15 towers and 10 gates. architectural feature Aigues-Morta - wide streets that contributed to the repulse of offensives. best view the city opens from its walls, and the narrow streets of the old city will help you plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Aigues-Mortes is one of the most impressive cities in the province of Languedoc-Roussillon.

The historical region of Languedoc (Languedoc, Lengadoс) occupies the southern part of ancient Occitania ( common name areas of modern Provence, Drome, Auvergne, Limousin, Gascony and Languedoc, where Occitan is spoken). For the French, Languedoc is more than just a geographical region - it is one of the historical "cores" of the formation of modern France, which still retains many characteristic national features, and therefore has a certain degree of conservatism and a clear sense of national identity. Although the Occitan language is practically out of use these days and has no literary support, locals emphasize their "independence from Paris" in every possible way, and Languedoc itself is traditionally a stronghold of the radical left (and, more surprisingly, the extreme right too) parties.

Around Montpellier

A characteristic feature of the Languedoc is the rather large distance of its most interesting objects from the coast. The reason for this is simple - the local shores bear little resemblance to the many kilometers of beaches that begin to the northeast French Riviera. The harsh and almost treeless coastline blown by the winds from the Camargue to Narbonne is almost entirely framed by marshy lagoons (etangs) and is not suitable for the construction of resorts. However, quiet fishing towns, the complete absence of crowds of tourists, many well-preserved traditions and unique natural objects attract here many connoisseurs of "ordinary France".

The main decoration of the coast is, of course, the regional natural park Camargue(Camargue), occupying the entire western part of the vast delta of the Rhone River. These ancient regions of salt marshes, reed marshes, sea lagoons, hundreds of channels and sand islands are considered the last site in Europe where you can see relic semi-steppe natural complexes that have completely disappeared in other areas. Here, on an area of ​​almost one and a half thousand square kilometers, pink flamingos, egrets and many waterfowl still nest, and in total up to 300 species of birds have been recorded here. In the unique juniper forest (local juniper reaches a height of up to 7 meters with a trunk diameter of up to 50 cm!) and in endless reed beds of numerous channels and brackish estuaries, more than a hundred species of mammals are found. But the "calling card" of the Camargue, along with pink flamingos and small (about 1.35 meters at the withers) black bulls, are wild white horses, which are also not found anywhere else in Europe.

Around the protected lands, you can find many small resorts and boarding houses (part of the swamp area is still privately owned and used for grazing and partly for hunting). The oldest resort here - La Grande Mote, in the summer filled with tourists (there is a good beach), and in winter it is almost dying out. Slightly to the east is Port Camargue with its modern marina and small fishing town Le Grau du Roi(Le Grau-du-Roi) with its famous drawbridge.

An unusual town is located 3 km from the coast Aigues Mortes, or Egmort (Aigues-Mortes - "dead waters"), built as a fortress and base port for the Seventh crusade(XIII century). Its massive walls and towers are virtually untouched by time, and the numerous salt fields around give this place enough unusual view. 12 km to the south lies a rather boring resort town Palavas(Palavas-les-Flots, Palavas). A the best place the area between Palavas and the border of the swamps is considered to be a recreation by the sea, where you can see thousands of birds just lying on the beach. Very close, above a wall of reeds, rises the beautiful Cathedral de Magelon (XII century, open daily from 9.00 to 18.00) - all that remains of a prosperous city that was almost destroyed by Louis XIII because of the Protestant religion of its inhabitants. Every year in the second half of June, under the vaults of the cathedral, the Festival of Church Music is held, which brings together the best bands from all over Europe.

28 km southeast of Montpellier, on a narrow strip of land separating the Tho lagoon from the sea, there is a large medieval port city Set(Set). Lively and quite colorful, the town is considered one of the centers of shellfish breeding, and therefore is famous for its seafood restaurants, picturesque panoramas opening from the top of the Mont Saint-Clair hill overgrown with pines, Fort Saint-Pierre (XVII century, now there is an open theater) , the International Museum of Modern Art and the Paul Valery Museum (20th-century French writer, native of Sète).

And at the southwestern end of the long lagoon of Basen de Tho is one of the most interesting coastal cities of the Camargue - Agd(Agde). Founded by the Phoenicians and expanded under the Romans, it flourished for many centuries, and only the development of the port of Set turned it into a sleepy fishing harbor. Today it is the main tourist center of the region, famous for its Mediterranean charm, easily traced in the narrow winding lanes between rue de l "Amour and the embankment, in the characteristic fortified cathedral (XII-XVII centuries), as well as in the color of its houses built from black volcanic stone from the quarries of Mont-Saint-Loup, and if you move from Montpellier to the interior of the Languedoc, you can get acquainted with such famous historical sites as the picturesque town Saint-Martin-de-Londres(St-Martin-de-Londres), Cambous Castle and the adjoining prehistoric village of the same name, the Demoiselles caves www.demoiselles.com, the spectacular Herault Gorge (l "Herault) and the Abbey of Saint-Guillem-les-Desaires (St -Guilhem-le-Desert, IX-XII centuries) near the famous medieval Devil's Bridge (Pont du Diable), as well as ancient dolmens near the village of Le Pouget.

South of Languedoc

Southern areas The Languedoc stretch from the mouth of the Aude River to the coastal city. These regions of low rocky hills and rivers running down from the Pyrenees are little visited by foreign tourists. However, the fortress city founded by the Celts, lying right on the railway line from Toulouse to Montpellier, is known as one of the most picturesque cities in France and certainly the most amazing city Languedoc.

36 km west of Carcassonne, on the road to Toulouse, lies the city Castelnaudary(Castelnaudary) is one of those innumerable French provincial cities that do not have any special attractions, but, nevertheless, are visited by thousands of tourists only because of their vibrant national charm. Considerable popularity of this city is given by the Midi Canal flowing through its territory, connecting the Garonne Valley with the Mediterranean Sea, as well as many beautiful old mansions, a carefully restored windmill from the 18th century, a semaphore tower from the same period and ... the famous local cold cuts with beans, which is the most popular dish in the south of the country. And to the north of the channel, the spurs of the low Montagne Noire highlands begin, which form the western tip of the Haut Languedoc regional natural park with its excellent landscapes, many beautiful gorges and colorful mountain villages, many of which are almost older than the same Carcassonne.

Nearby you can take a cruise on an "environmentally friendly barge". The ship is called Soleil d "Oc and is the first cruise barge powered by solar panels. A unique ecological journey takes place along the Languedoc or South Canal (Canal du Midi), which is included in the List world heritage UNESCO. The cruise route starts in Carcassonne and ends in Beziers, one of the most ancient cities in France. The Languedoc Canal was built in the second half of the 17th century. He stretched across southern France 240 kilometers from Toulouse to the Mediterranean port of Sète. The canal is part of the waterways connecting Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. There are 91 locks along the court channel; and the total elevation difference is 190 meters.

Beziers and around

The main city of the part of East Languedoc adjacent to the Mediterranean coast is the city Bezier(Beziers), which, among other things, also has the status of the wine capital of Languedoc. It is interesting that local wines cannot boast of a refined bouquet or richness of taste, but due to some features of local farming, they have a loyal clientele not only in France. Locals are also good historical monuments - old bridge Pont Neuf, the Cathedral of Saint-Nazaire (XIII-XVII centuries) crowning a steep hill with its fortress-like towers, the ancient monastery adjoining it and the garden of the episcopal palace, the Museum of Fine Arts in the old mansion of the Hotel Fabregat and its branch in the Hotel Fayet , historical Museum Biteroi in the old barracks of Saint-Jacques, as well as the picturesque alley Paul-Riquet, completely built up with cafes, restaurants, banks and shops, and leading to a magnificent small park of the Plateau des Poets in the English style.

Just 18 km east of Beziers is the old market center Pozenas- the place of formation of the first parliament of Languedoc and the residence of its governors until 1465. At the end of the 17th century, Prince Armand de Bourbon decided to turn the town into a "second Versailles", and although he did not fully succeed, a large number of stately mansions of the 14th-17th centuries have survived to this day.

25 km southwest of Beziers lies the city Narbon(Narbonne), once the capital of the first Roman colony in Gaul. Plague and war with the British put an end to the former greatness of this city in the XIV century, but at the end of the XIX century it became known as a center of winemaking. The main monuments of the city are Horreum (Horreum) at the northern end of rue Rouget-de-l "Isle - an unusual underground Roman warehouse in the form of a gallery, a small early Christian crypt of the Saint-Paul church, a huge Gothic cathedral of Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur, The Archbishop's Palace with its forty-meter tower, which overlooks all the surroundings, the Marchand bridge, art and archaeological museums, as well as the Notre Dame de Lamourgue church, which now houses a collection of Roman sculptures and epigraphs.

15 km southwest of the city is the beautiful Fontfroide Abbey (Fontfroide, XII-XVII centuries), and a little to the south - the large Bage lagoon and the African Reserve, which almost naturally contains more than 150 species of animals, and not only from Africa. You can visit a slightly old-fashioned seaside resort Valra(Valras-Plage) and more modern beach areas Saint Pierre and Narbonne-Plage, an islet of Montagne-de-la-Clap with a picturesque village Gruissan and the Chapelle-Notre-Dame-de-Ozil church, as well as the nearby lands of the Hauts-Languedoc Regional Natural Park.

Roussillon

The region, which includes the eastern edge of the Pyrenees, as well as the lowlands around Perpignan and along the Mediterranean coast, has been known since antiquity as Roussillon (Roussillon, in honor of the main city of the Sardone tribe - Ruscino, destroyed by the Normans in 859), or "French Catalonia". The Catalans arrived here in the 10th century, and in the 13th-14th centuries, the Franco-Catalan border passed through the Corbière hills north of Perpignan. Under Jaume II, Roussillon became part of the Kingdom of Mallorca, vassal of Aragon, which led to a whole series of wars and uprisings (most of them were either provoked or suppressed by the French), ending only in 1659 with the signing of the Pyrenean Peace, according to which the region finally went to France. The successful strategic position by that time turned the city of Perpignan into a large shopping center Pyrenees, so the plains of Roussillon were subjected to intensive "Frenchization", but the mountainous regions retained their age-old way of life, "involved" in the fusion and interweaving of the traditions and customs of many peoples who inhabited these lands since antiquity. To this day, the local language carries many Spanish and Occitan forms, which can be clearly seen in the usually bilingual road signs, and the national red and yellow flag is often more common than French.

The main city of Roussillon and the administrative center of the Eastern Pyrenees department - the city of Perpignan (Perpignan, Perpinya) lies on the river Tet, 13 km from the Mediterranean coast and 31 km north of the Franco-Spanish border.

Around Perpignan interesting town Canet-Plage(Canete-Plage, 12 km east) with its wide sandy beach, Fort Forteres de Sals (XV century, 15 km north of Perpignan), village of winemakers Totavel(Tautavel), in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich in 1971 the remains of the ancient man in Europe (dated approximately 450 thousand years BC, now they are the main exhibit of the local Prehistoric Museum), the old capital of Roussillon is the town Elne(Elne) with its cathedral-fortress Sante Elalle and a beautiful monastery (both - XII-XVI centuries), town Cere(Ceret) with colorful old quarters, the Romanesque abbey of Saint-Marie (XIV century) near Arles-sur-Tech(Arles-sur-Tech), picturesque mountain town Prat de Mollo(Prats-de-Mollo) with its carefully restored ancient walls, steep cobbled streets and a modest gray church, Lagar Fort (XV-XVII centuries), a lush botanical garden and a beautiful church (1151) in the village Bull d'Amon(Boule d "Amont), the majestic peak of Canigou in the mountainous regions of the southern part of the region, replete with small mountain climatic resorts, as well as the long coast of Vermeille (Cote Vermeille) with its small cozy towns and good beaches.

As in many other French regions, Roussillon has its own preferential card for tourists - Pass Roussillon, which provides a lot of discounts. Some 38 participating attractions, including the abbeys of Saint Martin du Canigou and Saint Michel de Cuija, the Palace of the Kings of Mallorca, the art museum in Cera and the monastery in Elne, can be visited free of charge.