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Languedoc-Rousillon is a land where traditions are
part of everyday life. Ancient crafts still thrive in the beautiful region known as the Camargue. In Sète and Palavas you
can watch teams of fishermen jousting with each other from their boats in water tournaments. In the ancient fishing ports,
from Grau-du-Roi to the Côte Vermeille, the pace of life has barely changed for centuries. Regattas, cruises, fishing
contests and wind surfing events draw the crowds to lively modern resorts such as Port-Camargue,
Europe’s premier sailing
resort; la Grande-Motte, with its bold architecture; Cap d’Agde, Gruissan,
Port-Leucate, Port-Barcarès and Saint-Cyprien. To the south, the pine-clad slopes of the Massif de la Clape rise above the
resorts of Gruissan and Leucate. The beaches here are very popular with windsurfers.
The long sandy
coastline of Languedoc-Roussillon stretches as far as Argelès-sur-Mer, then the wild, rocky headlands of the Côte
Vermeille rise out of the sea. Great painters like Matisse and Picasso once found inspiration in the beauty and light of
ports such as Collioure, Banyuls, Port-Vendres and Cerbère.
Golfers
looking for sunshine, Mediterranean scenery and friendly, welcoming courses, will be
delighted with Languedoc-Roussillon for their golf holidays abroad. There are a huge variety of golf courses to suit
players at all levels. With top quality courses, year-round sunshine and a 12-month golfing season,
Languedoc-Roussillon is fast becoming one of the most popular golfing destinations in Europe.
Boasting nearly three
hundred days of sunshine a year, the highest average in France, Languedoc-Roussillon abounds with attractions. There is
a rich cultural and historical heritage, impressive natural sites, seaside relaxation and sporting activities. With the
hinterland still intact and a protected coastline, Languedoc-Rousillon surprises us by the wealth of its culture and its
history, with so many sites and monuments, abbeys and castles, and five structures listed on the UNESCO world heritage
list. The roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, the Canal du Midi, the medieval city of Carcassonne (the biggest in Europe), the
abbeys of St Guilhem le Désert and St Gilles du Gard, on the footsteps of St Jacques de Compostelle.
Languedoc-Roussillon is also
renowned for the diversity of its agricultural produce and boasts a delicious and authentic cuisine. Based on olive oil,
garlic and basil, this cuisine is typically flavoured with herbs of the Provencal garrigue such as thyme, bay or rosemary.
Cheeses (including Roquefort), wines, honey and fruit complement the rural and coastal specialities. The excellent
local chefs are keen to give you a taste of the real Languedoc-Roussillon. Cassoulet, ‘Brandade de Nîmes’, the ‘petits
pâtés’ of Pézénas, Aligot, mushrooms such as Cèpes and giroles mushrooms, and of course fish based dishes such as
anchoïade, ‘Bourride de Sète’, stuffed squids and don’t forget the local seafood platters where the pleasures of sight and
taste are combined: snails, sea urchins, mussels, clams, and the chance to sample the Thau basin
oysters.
The vineyards of
Languedoc-Roussillon are some of the oldest and largest in the world, and produce some of the most
renowned French wines. Enthusiastic growers cultivate the vines across the region. The wine making districts extend from
the right bank of the Rhône as far as the foothills of the Pyrénées. The wines of Languedoc-Roussillon are rich with a
taste that lasts. They complement the local food perfectly, providing a contrast to the simple cuisine based on olive oil,
vegetables, fish and bread.
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