Languedoc:
The Area
Languedoc derives its name from its ancient language, the Language of Oc (in which Oc means yes), which was spoken in the Middle Ages all the way from Nice to Bordeaux. At the beginning of the middle ages, the area we think of now as the Languedoc was independent from the kings of France; it had a rich culture of its own, expressed in music and a vigorous literature. It was here that the medieval cult of courtly love was born; this is perhaps the ancestor of our idea of romantic love. The patois, that you still hear spoken by people all over the south-west of France, is an echo of that civilization.
The climate is excellent; it is not uncommon to have 300 days of sunshine in a year.
Nearby Beziers, Pezenas:
Beziers (20 mins away)
Béziers,one of the main victims of the Albigensian crusades against the Cathars in 1209 when its population was massacred and now one of the leading commercial centres of the wine trade in the Languedoc. Beziers has attractive tree-lined boulevards and was the birthplace of Paul Riquet, creator of the Canal du Midi. Indeed, the Canal du Midi flows from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean across the Languedoc with some particularly attractive stretches around Narbonne at Paraza, Roubia and Ventenac.
Pezenas (20 mins away)
The historic town of Pézenas was the home of Molière and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. This beautiful town is steeped in history and culture, and lies at the heart of the Coteaux du Languedoc wine growing region. Things to see: The Old Town, Saturday market, the beautiful 14th-17th century mansions; the Vulliod-Saint-Germain Museum, 'memories of Molière' exhibition; festival of arts, folklore, crafts and theatre in summer
Coast & beaches:
Coastal Resorts & Beaches (all 30-40 minutes away)
Cap d'Agde
Take time out to visit the ancient Greek city of Cap d'Age, now France's top seaside resort, with great sandy beaches and round-the-clock entertainment. Where fresh water and salt water come together, where the Canal du Midi and the Herault River meet the sea, Le Cap d'Agde, La Cité d'Agde, Le Grau d' Agde and La Tamarissière combine the Mediterranean Sea and holiday fun. 14 km of sandy beaches, 2,500 years of history and heritage, an environment full of natural areas for visits (Canal du Midi, Le Bagnas Nature Reserve, the Undersea Trail), events and a multitude of leisure activities for the entire family: golf, tennis, thalassotherapy, water activities at the marina and nautical centre, Aqualand Park, amusement park for the children, museums, the Casino, Ile des Loisirs ('Leisure Island'), discotheques and restaurants
Valras plage is the nearest beach with restaurants specialising in sea food and local produce
Other Activities:
kayaking in Roquebrun
marks the location of the property in Beziers area
