In this week’s article, your South of France surveyor is taking you off the beaten track in Languedoc-Roussillon, located on the considerable coastal plain of France.
Languedoc-Roussillon, sometimes referred to as The Occitanie Cost, arcs south-west, running alongside the Mediterranean from the western extremes of the Camargue down to Perpignan and Pyrenean, parallel to Spain. With its stunning shoreline intertwined with lagoons, long, sandy beaches, and salt pans, it allows for beach days and picnics, no matter what time of year.
Wine
Unlike many French towns, Languedoc-Roussillon is one of very few that did not suffer considerably as a result of the Great French Wine Blight – a disease which ultimately destroyed many of the nation’s vines. However, much of the Languedoc-Roussillon area was unaffected, meaning that it was able to continue producing the fine wine we often associate with France.
Wine is an essential part of French living, and so there is no better place to reside than in one of the most beautiful locations that produces some of the finest examples.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
It’s always a great time to visit Languedoc-Roussillon, with high summer bringing scorching temperatures, and beaches being hives of activity with holidaymakers and locals enjoying the beautiful coastline. Spring is an equally lovely time to visit, still being warm and enjoyable but with the added pleasure of having the unspoiled beauty to yourself.
Autumn brings with it moderate temperatures and a sense of purpose and celebration, with harvest being imminent and a time for locals to prosper. Winter is quiet, with you being able to see it in a totally different atmosphere. While not particularly warm, Languedoc-Roussillon still remains stunning in the winter sun.
Any season in the South of France brings different sights, weather conditions, and temperatures, each making the scenery look stunning in totally different ways.
Tourism Evolution
Much of the coastal area of Languedoc-Roussillon is incredibly flat. The region is a historically swampy territory plagued with mosquitoes, and consequently tourism didn’t develop here until the 19th century. The swampland was drained, and the mosquitos controlled, which ultimately allowed tourism to flourish.
Looking forward to today, the coastline of Languedoc is characterised by long sandy beaches, which are vast, beautiful, and spacious. There are a variety of 20th century resorts, but you only need to walk 20 minutes to find something unique and completely off the beaten track.
Beauty surrounds this coastline, with there always being something to explore and discover. There is no end to the fantastic opportunities that this stunning part of the world has to offer, with its wine being some of the most fantastic that France has available, or its stunning location offering unique views of the South of France and its surrounding coastline.
Final Thoughts
There is no better time to settle into the unique lifestyle Languedoc-Roussillon has to offer its inhabitants. If you think this is the lifestyle for you, the services of an experienced and professional South of France surveyor like Charles Mackintosh will help you make the right decisions.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch today to make your dream living a reality.