Languedoc-Roussillon's Climate
Average Max Temperature (degrees C)
May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
20	27	28	28	26	21
Average no. days sunshine
May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
24	26	29	26	24	20

The 'alternative' South of France, stretching along the Mediterranean coast from the Camargue to the Spanish border. The region boasts over 200km of sandy beaches, most sloping gently into the water and so ideal for families. The coastline is studded with modern, marina resorts and old picturesque ports such as Sète, with its maze of canals or Collioure, the pretty harbour where Matisse and Picasso painted. Although there is a wealth of tourist facilities, the region remains less crowded than the Côte d'Azur. It's now easier than ever to get to our properties in the Languedoc, especially in the Beziers, Carcasonne, Montpellier or Perpignan regions: This ease may pave the way for the development of businesses centered on security such as contents and home insurance.

Inland from the coast is an undulating plain of vineyards and olive groves, then hills with chestnut, pine and oak forests, lakes, gorges with rockpools and spectacular undergound caverns.

The Main Towns

Nimes is famous for one of the best preserved classical arenas. The Romans used it for gladiatorial combats and chariot races, while today's programme includes bullfights, tennis and opera. The Maison Carrée is a temple built in 20BC is regarded as one of the most graceful and finely proportioned of all extant Roman temples.

Montpellier. Languedoc-Roussillon's fascinating capital is France's fastest-growing city, and has changed dramatically from sleepy old wine town to trendy modern metropolis. It is elegant and classical rather like a Paris of the South.

Sete with its picturesque canals, Sete brings a touch of Venice to the Languedoc, and is one of the most lively and pleasing towns in the region. The port is famous for its nautical jousts: young men dressed in white stand on platforms fixed to large rowing boats and each team tries to knock the other into the water.

Pezenas. An attractive market town with a warren of medival streets and a fine rennaissance quarter.

Beziers. A busy colourful market town, the principal centre of the Languedoc wine trade. The lively Feria in August has bull-fighting, paellas, flamenco dancing, and partying in the streets until the early hours.

Narbonne, the Roman capital of Gaul. Its 13th century cathedral is one of the tallest Gothic buildings in France. Its cloister leads to another mighty edifice, the fortified Palace of the Archbishops.

Carcassonne has the largest fortified citadel in Western Europe. It has seen more than its fair share of battles: Simone de Montfort, the Cathars, and later the Dukes of Toulouse all fought for control of this stronghold. The so-called "new town" of Carcassonne, much of it 17th and 18th century, also has an old-world charm.

Nimes' Arena	Montpellier	Sete
Beziers	Narbonne	Carcassonne

Other Places to Visit: Languedoc

Pont du Gard This marvellous three-tier Roman bridge was built in 19BC as part of the aqueduct carrying water to Nimes.

Uzes In the heart of this lovely distinguished little town stands a massive feudal castle, home of the Dukes of Uzes.

Aigues-Mortes This small medieval walled town stands 5km inland amid salty marshes and lagoons. The French kingdom's first Mediterranean port and the departure point for the Orient and the Crusades.

Sommieres. Characterful little town on the edge of the garrigue, with ruined feudal chateau, fortified gates and arcaded streets.

St Guilhem-le-Desert Charming old village and its abbey, tucked away in a ravine off the Herault gorge. Guilhem, a loyal lieutenant of Charlemagne, discovered the site after fighting battles with the Saracens. Closeby is the remarkable Grotte de la Clamouse.

Lac Salagou. Lake surrounded by volcanic hills.

Cique de Moureze. Extraordinary 'chaos'; of dolimitic toers and ravines, amonst which nestles a medieval village.

Caroux Mountains. Craggy granitic mountains with deep gorges and rockpools.

Cap d'Agde. Modern beach resort with every kind of watersport; sailing, scuba-diving, shark fishing. The children will love aqualand with its huge water-slides.

Minerve is a tiny remote village stuck on a narrow rocky spur between two gorges. Down below, there are natural stone bridges in the bed of the gorge.

The Corbieres hills are dotted with hill-top forts dating from the 10th century Saracen invasions. They became the last strongholds of the heretic Cathars in the 13th century.

There are also many interesting unspoilt villages to visit, notably Lagrasse with its old Abbey.

Lac de Salagou	Pont du Gard	The Caroux Mountains

Other Places to Visit: Roussillon

Perpignan. Once the seat of the kings of Mallorca, today the capital town of the Roussillon region, the French part of Catalonia.

Collioure. A little seashore town of great charm. Its Majorcan castle rises from the very edge of the water.

Ceret, like Collioure, was a favourite spot with many great modern artists including Picasso and Braque, and there is a surprising Museum of Modern art in the town.

Massif du Canigou is the first large large mountain of the Pyrennees and it dominates the whole coastal plain of Roussillon. At the foot of the mountain is the impressively fortified town of Villefranche-de-Conflent. From here the "Petit Train Jaune"; winds its way up the spectacular Tet valley upto the high Pyrennees. High on the slope of Canigou is a fine Romanseque abbey, St Martin-du-Canigou Abbey.

Vallespir valley. The fertile valley south of Canigou which leads to the Spanish border. Near its head is the fortified town of Prats-de-Mollo and the surrounding summits bristling with medieval watchtowers and fortifications.

Collioure	Beaches	Canigou, Pyrennees