We are in what used to be Occitania, a country which stretched right across the South of France, also included parts of Italy, and had its own language - "Oc". Hence 'Langue D'Oc' !

See the Local Area page for more about Kate Mosse's bestseller Labyrinth, which is set very near to here.

The Med

The Languedoc-Roussillon coast has dozens of large sandy beaches, from Narbonne-Plage in the north to Canet-Plage and Argelès-Plage in the south, near Perpignan. Collioure is a pretty harbourside village. The whole area is famous for its quality of brilliant light which has atttracted many artists to work here.

The Pyrénées

With breathtaking scenery, in Summer the Aude and Ariège Pyrénées are shaded by cool pine forests, and offer white water sports throughout the Haute Vallée of the Aude. In winter, there is easily accessible skiing at the many Stations de Ski in the area. The area also contains some of the deepest caves in Europe.

Toulouse

Toulouse is the 4th French city in size after Paris, Marseilles and Lyons, with a population of 741,000, and is the home of Airbus. With 110,000 students, it is the second university city after Paris. Attractively set on the River Garonne, there are many museums and galleries to visit, and it is a beautiful place just to wander around and soak in the atmosphere.

Albi & Cordes

Albi is the capital of the Départment of Tarn, set on the River Tarn. The huge Sainte-Cecile Cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries, in brick ! Next to it is the Palais de la Berbie - the former archbishop's palace, which houses many works of the Albi-born artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. Don't miss its beautiful gardens.

Cordes-sur-Ciel is a beautiful medieval fortified mini-city perched on top of a hill just north of Albi. The climb up to the top along steep cobbled lanes and between ancient stone buildings is rewarded with superb views and a cool drink in the shade under the plane trees.

Narbonne

An attractive town with lots of history. Its main sites are grouped in and around the Hôtel de Villle, in ancient stone buildings - the Cathedral, Tresor, Donjon (actually a tower), Art Gallery, Archaeological Museum, and the Horreum (underground Roman Warehouse). The Art Gallery is housed in the Archbishop's Palace amongst beautiful period furniture, and has a fantastic new section exhibiting North African themes - this is a feast for the eyes.

The sands of Narbonne-Plage are just a few miles away, so it is possible to combine a morning of culture with an afternoon on the beach.

Perpignan

The centre of the Pyrenées Orientales, Perpignan is in French Catalonia. It is another super town to wander around in, and absorb the atmosphere amidst the squares and palm trees.

The Palace of the Kings of Majorca is well worth visiting, set on a hill above the town facing the Canigou mountain. The Balearic Islands were ruled from here 700 years ago !

Canet-Plage and Collioure are nearby, if you fancy some time by the sea; and the town of Ceret, in the centre of the main cherry-growing area, is a pretty place to visit for a meal to finish off a perfect day.

Andorra

The Co-Principality of Andorra dates from the 13th century, but today it is a ski-ing and duty-free shopping area, outside of the European Union.

Spain

And for those who would like to visit three countries in one day, the Spanish border is just a couple of hours away, either through Andorra or along the coastal autoroute.