 The Languedoc region of south west France certainly provides plenty of sightseeing options for tourists. The rugged, vine covered fields, the Canal du Midi, the Black Mountains and the Pyrenees in the distance, all offer their own unique scenery to this beautiful countryside. Throw in the Mediterranean, which laps the shores of the Languedoc, and this is a region that offers something for everyone. We've been out and about exploring some of the more popular tourist sights and know that we'll have to return as our time here won't allow us to see everything we want to.
The colourful medieval buildings of Mirepoix
An easy half hour drive from Carcassonne is the small Medieval village of Mirepoix. Another important site in the Cathars fight against the Crusaders, the pretty town centre is home to an attractive square, lined on each side by brightly coloured buildings. Now housing shops and restaurants under the verandahs which were built in the 13th Century, the square is a lovely spot for lunch on a fine day - the brightly coloured window pots adding to the already colourful scene.
For a town of its size, Mirepoix boasts an impressive church (14th Century) which sits just beyond the square, and with its location within easy reach, and view, of the magnificent Pyrenees, it’s no wonder the town is so popular with visitors to Languedoc.
For those who like to include a bit of shopping on their holiday, the city of Narbonne is just the place. An important port and communications centre from ancient times until the Middle Ages, the town now blends old and new together perfectly. Situated on the Canal Robine, an off-shoot of the Canal du Midi, Narbonne retains its links with the past with its impressive Cathedral de St-Just et St-Pasteur, the Archbishops’ Palace and Les Halles, the beautifully restored 19th Century covered market. The main shopping area is located in the town’s winding cobblestone streets around the Cathedral and town square but larger, modern, multi-store shopping complexes also abound, and for the best range of fresh food and produce in southern France, Les Halles is a ‘must visit’.
Narbonne Cathedral
Like most of the towns and villages in the region, the vineyards of the Languedoc are a major source of employment around Narbonne and there are plenty of restaurants and wine bars where you can sample the local drop. For those basing themselves in Narbonne, a huge number of vineyards are within easy reach, dotted around the Herault and Aude regions, and combined with a day visiting many of the Medieval villages in the area, make a great day out.
With its close proximity to the Mediterranean, summer tourists favour the nearby beaches of Narbonne Plage and Gruissan Plage, and the Spanish border is only a couple of hours’ drive down the motorway. Also close enough for day trips are the Camargue, Nimes Arena and Pont du Gard, the Pyrenees and Andorra.
Next up we visit Lastours and Lagrasse.
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