Local Area
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Languedoc was formerly an independent state and Roussillon was formerly part of Spain. Languedoc-Roussillon was also a Roman stronghold.
This dynamic region tells stories of its Occitan, Catalonian and Roman pasts, with a new French twist. Sample divine wines, learn the history of the Cathars, explore mighty Carcassonne, see Roman relics in Nimes and tour the region’s capital, Montpellier.
Below are a few of the other attractions you might want to sample:
Canoeing up the Ravine
Near to St Guilhem-le-Desert the Herault river has cut a dramatic ravine through the rock. Where the river emerges under the Pont du Diable, it has been dammed to form a small lake, complete with beach. The water is cool, crystal clear and wonderful for swimming in during the hot summer months. It makes an excellent alternative to the beach. There is a Canoe Hire kiosk here, where you can rent a canoe. You canoe across the lake and then about 1km up the ravine. It is a bit windy in places, but this all adds to the fun. After about 20 minutes canoeing you will arrive at a big rock in the middle of the river. This is the turnaround point. Our kids love to scramble up on the rocks and jump into the river complete with dramatic screams. Just watch out for people jumping off the Pont du Diable as you canoe under it. This seems to be a bit of a tradition in France.
Accrobranche
If you're looking for an activity for your children with a bit of a difference, then Accrobranche could be for you. Set in dense forest close to Motagnac, Accrobranche specialises in tree climbing adventures, encompassing abseiling, tree canopy walks and rope ladders. Whilst this may not be for those fearful of heights, this is great fun. It takes you back to being 10 years old again. Oh and the kids will enjoy it as well.
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Cycling along the Canal du Midi
The Canal Midi is one of the South of France's most famous sites. It also makes a great day out for the kids and gets them away from the Playstation for a few hours. A favourite spot is to park up in Colombiers on the D11 west of Beziers. From here cycle west towards Capestang. After about 15 mins you will reach the Oppidum d'Ensurune, a pre-Roman settlement perched on a hill above the vineyards. From here you get a spectacular view of the Basin du Montady. This is a Wagon-wheel shaped formation of fields . you can picnic here looking down on the Basin, before cycling on to the next village for a drink.
Montpellier Zoo - or Parc Zoologique Henri de Lunaret, to give it its full title - is a free day out in a lovely parkland setting in the North of Montpellier. you can easily spent 4 hours walking round. There are bears, lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, antelope - you name it. I suppose the only thing that slightly lets it down is that when we went there, there is onlyone place to go to get a drink or an ice cream. But it is free, so you can't expect too much. . Anyway, it is a good day out, it is certainly a cheap alternative to Sigean African Safari. Did I mention that it was free?
The African Safari Park in Sigean is very well laid out and has all the animals you can think off: Lions, Giraffes, Rhinos, Gorillas, Elephants, Emus with attitude and lots and lots of Monkeys. The Pink Flamingos even fly in. It is well worth the visit.
Having a Picnic at the Pont du Gard
Pont du Gard, situated just north of Nimes, is one of the most dramatic monuments of the Roman architecture in France. This Roman aqueduct, was built around AD50 to carry water over 50 km from Uzes to Nimes. There are two alternative places to eat at this famous Roman Aqueduct. You can either eat on the banks of the river with a fantastic view of the bridge in all its glory, or you can pick a nice shady spot on the botanical trail through the Mediterranean garden. Once you've finished with your picnic, you children can be entertained swimming in the river under the bridge, visiting the childrens activity centre in the Pont du Gard visitors centre or just lazing in the sun besides one of the most famous sites in the South of France .
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The favourite rides at the Aqualand waterpark were are Niagra - absolutely terrifying, a straight slide that takes you down from about 50m to zero in about 2 seconds!; the Colarado - you sit in a long rubber canoe and your whizzed round in the dark before descending like a bullet down the slide; and the Black hole - a massive flume. Don't bother with the Congo River - unless you have young kids or you're a bit of a girl. You also get a nice view over Cap d'Agde from on top of the rides. The wave machine pool is very good and the toddler pools are safe and entertaining. There was not too much to go on if you were under 1.10m. If you do have small children, you might be better visiting La Grande Bleu in Grande Motte, as I doubt they will get their money's worth here.
This park is a real gem if you're at a loose end trying to find an activity for the kids to do. Set amongst the beautiful landscaped gardens and canals you can discover a real oasis here. The children will love all the animals (horses, cows, goats and ducks) wandering free in their own spaces. The kids will also enjoy the play area with its castle trampoline (for under 6 years only), a floating bridge and swings. Best of all though your children will enjoy the rowing boats (the water is not deep, only 1 meter or so and you can borrow life jackets from the kiosk). The park is accessible for wheel chairs and buggies/strollers. There is a snack bar here but you'd be better off bringing your own food and sitting out and having a picnic. If you get a hot day then walking around this park with its shaded greenery is perfect. The rowing boats are fun and kids always enjoy pony rides and seeing animals wandering free.
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Languedoc-Roussillon Food
The menus in Languedoc-Roussillon focus on what the region itself provides. Being on the Mediterranean, it is safe to assume that the coastal areas favour seafood, while inland the main meats include goose, duck, boar and pig. Cattle are not common grazers in the area, so expect little dairy on the menu.
One of the regions most notable dishes is cassoulet. Perfect for chilly days and nights, this hearty stew is made from haricot beans, preserved goose, mutton, pork and/or sausages. Duck features heavily on menus, as does olives, truffles and wild mushrooms, and cherries and soft peaches.
Languedoc-Roussillon Wine
The Languedoc-Roussillon region is the most productive wine region in France, and some will argue, in the world. If you were to look at a map of the region with its vineyards highlighted, you would soon see that so much of the farmable land is dedicated to vines. Today Chardonnay is the most prevalent white grape in a region known for its palatable reds. Sweet, sticky Muscat is also widely grown here.
Everyday wines are the name of the game in Languedoc-Roussillon where you will rarely go wrong by ordering the Vin de Pays or Appellation. You may not find the richness of Bordeaux, or the complexity of Cote du Rhone, but you will find good dry whites and smooth reds. Be on the look out for red wines from Corbieres that tend to be full and fruity. Minervois wines date from Roman times. The reds are tannic and the whites are dry and crisp. Saint Chinian vines have been around since the 9th Century. They are tannic and full bodied reds that are making waves in discerning wine circles.