Languedoc-Roussillon has come to be known as the 'other French Riviera'. Home to some of the best Mediterranean beaches and 300 days of sunshine a year, it's no wonder!

Visitors can also expect to indulge in the best seafood, world-class wines and wonderfully historic fortress towns. Know known as 'Occitanie', Languedoc-Roussillon really is a treasure in every sense of the word. It's often overlooked in favour of the more glamorous Cote d'Azur but the tide (excuse the pun) is slowly turning... As more and more visitors travel to the region to explore the ancient fortress towns that were built by the Knights Templar, Cathar Castles and the ancient streets of Montpelier, word is getting around about this wonderful holiday destination.

Added bonuses are that you are guaranteed to find a spot to spread your towel along the beautiful vast stretches of sandy beaches and parking isn't a nightmare! 

If you decide to visit Languedoc-Roussillon, we have some pointers below to aid in planning your itinerary.

Visit Sete “The Venice of the South of France” 

Sète is a small town with an abundance of personality. It is often referred to as 'the venice of the South of France' due to its' network of canals. Often it is the first glimpse of the region for many cruise passengers! It is extraordinary how much there is to see and do (aswell as eat and drink) in this little town. There is a very popular three hour gourmet walking tour, where guests can sample local produce in the indoor market and speciality stores. One of the delicacies of the region is Tielle - which is a delicious spicy octopus pie. Another fun fact is that President Thomas Jefferson was a regular visitor who adored Viognier wine and discovered that it is a perfect pairing with locally produced Roquefort cheese. 

After being fully fed and content, many visitors choose to relax and explore the town at their own pace, ambling from local to local. Others choose to carry on exploring further afield, often to nearby Bouzigues, which is a charming and pretty town on the lagoon and Southern Frances' oyster capital. Our tip would be, if you visit this sweet town, to partake in a fascinating visit to one of the authentic oyster farms to learn about the process of raising oysters (which requires alot more attention and care than you would think!) aswell as the 'art of eating an oyster'. This makes for a truly memorable experience.

Occitanie is the largest wine-producing region in the world and is responsible for more than a third of France's total wine production. This being considered, you can be sure to find tastings in every direction, in beautiful locations and within easy reach of most towns. Most people don't know that the local sparkling Blanquette de Limoux was the inspiration for the monks who first produced Dom Perignon Champagne!

It is easy to fall in love with the local produce and feel inspired to learn to cook some dishes of your own, so it's lovely to know that cooking workshops and classes can be easily arranged. All you need is to stop off for some seasonal local produce including seafood from the Sète market.

Montpelier

Montpelier is a medieval marvel. It is where the ancient and the modern co-exist in perfect harmony. It's a haven for history-buffs! With the narrow Medieval streets of the old town and the neo-classique Antigone quarter, there is so much culture, history and life packed into this wonderful town. Furthermore, it has become rather a vibrant and buzzing university town, in fact becoming the fastest growing in France! 

Foodies love it for the variety of restaurants and the gourmet walking tours are extremely popular. Step back in time through history and visit Europe’s oldest surviving medical school, the Triumphal Arch, historic gardens, music festivals and much, much more. 

Carcassonne

A day in ‘La Cité’ (the medieval walled city of Carcassonne) is a day well spent. It really looks like a fairytale city from afar. Carcassonne is a town within a castle, built to deter even the most determined invader. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cathars were Medieval ‘Kings of the Castles’, impressive examples of which are scattered around the region.

The Camargue

Think white horses and pink flamingoes! Situated close to the Mediterranean, the Camargue is a nature lovers' dream for bird-watching, horse riding, hiking, cycling, boat trips and much more. Parts of the Camargue National Park are UNESCO biosphere, where the pink flamingos and white horses are in abundance and thrive, especially near the salt marshes.

So that wraps up our favourite must-see's in the spectacular region of Languedoc-Roussillon. Rent in France has an extensive property directory of self-catering villas, cottages, homes and gites in Languedoc-Roussillon (Occitanie) to suit every budget and taste. The region comprises five departments, four of these are Mediterranean coastal departments: the Gard, the Herault , the Aude and the Pyrenees Orientales. The fifth, Lozere, is rather different and forms the southern bastion of the Massif Central. Languedoc is characterised by long, spacious sandy beaches and a modern tourist infrastructure, with twentieth-century resorts such as Cap d'Agde, Palavas, or Narbonne. There is 150 miles of sun-soaked Mediterranean coastline and some of the finest beaches in France.

So whether you are planning a romantic escape for two or a family holiday, be sure to browse our website to find your ideal self-catering holiday home.