The
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the most fascinating areas
of Europe, bordering the Mediterranean
Sea to the east and the Pyrenees
Mountains to the south. It benefits from an exceptional
climate
(a
"Mediterranean Climate") and has an unusually
rich wildlife,
a spectacular coast,
and surprising history.
Things
to see include mountains,
rivers
and lakes, ancient
cities, towns,
villages,
thermal
springs, abbeys,
and cathedrals,
châteaux
and castles,
notably the famous mountain fortresses popularly known as
Cathar
Castles.
In
recent years it has become a popular French holiday
destination, with long sunny
days, Mediterranean
beaches, tourist
facilities, thousands of miles of walks,
and rides,
National
Parks and wildlife reserves (such as the Camargue
and the Cevennes),
thermal
springs and spas,
grottoes and caves, and vestiges of the Languedoc's
long history,
including dinosaur
bones and eggs, prehistoric human
remains, dolmens
and megaliths, geology,
archaeology and palaeontology, Greek
and Roman
architecture, and everywhere reminders of the the Cathars,
the papal Crusade
against them, and the Papal
Inquisition that followed the crusade.
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Things to do in the Languedoc-Roussillon include a range of holidays, including naturist holidays and activity holidays. Sports include a wide range of land sports, water sports, air sports, mountain sports, winter sports, golf, hunting, shooting, hawking, and fishing. There are also numerous cultural activities, along with French regional food specialties, and Languedoc wines. Local festivals range from bull-running to the Fecos in Limoux and from sea-jousting in the north to celebrating la jour de St-Jean in the south by fire-jumping.
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Some Languedoc-Roussillon Superlatives
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