Local Tourism Notes

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Local Tourism Notes

The staff at most tourist offices are able to speak competent English. You will find them very helpful with all tourism questions as well as questions on public transport and more. If you're in need of some help, they're always worth asking.

Tourist Offices are also able to provide general information on their area, much of it as appropriate to the resident as to the visitor. If you want to know about fairs, markets, concerts and other events in your area the Tourist Office is bound to have information, brochures and flyers.

• To find listings of all local tourist offices in the south of France see The AngloFILE: Languedoc-Roussillon Tourist Offices
• See the website of the French Government Tourism (in English).
• Regional Tourism authorities have comprehensive websites in English: see here

Airports in Languedoc- Roussillon

• To find out about airports in Languedoc-Roussillon, flight information, access or lost luggage, see this AngloINFO INFOrmation Page:
  Languedoc-Roussillon Airports
• To find out about airlines flying to Languedoc-Roussillon see The AngloFILE Airlines, Scheduled Flights & Charter

Where to Stay

The Languedoc-Rousillon region offers a wide variety of accommodation, with options ranging from camping to Bed & Breakfast accommodation to stays in luxury hotels and private gîtes.

• See the INFOrmation Page on Holiday Accommodation Options to find out more about the type of accommodation available in France
• See The AngloFILE for Hotels & Holiday Accommodation

Where to eat

French organisation Bienvenue au Pays catalogues interesting regional food in certain parts of France. Some rural cafés and brasseries carry the Cafés de Pays (country cafés) classification for being a "welcoming venue" in an area of tourist interest. A second classification is Assiettes de Pays (country plate) marks a restaurant or brasserie as being notable for serving local produce and regional specialities. 

• To find Cafés de Pays and Assiettes de Pays in the Languedoc-Roussillon: Click here (in French)
• To find restaurants where English is spoken, see The AngloFILE directory, Restaurants

Days out in Languedoc-Roussillon

There is a wealth of variety of places to go, mountains to climb, sights to see and foods to taste. For information see The AngloFILE Days Out: Trips & Tours

Parc Régional du Haut Languedoc

This French National park, located in upper Languedoc, is the second largest in the country. It runs from the Montagne Noire between Béziers and Castres into the Cévennes. 

Inside the park you can visit the limestone formations in the caves (grottes) such as the Grotte des Demoiselles or the Grotte de Clamouse. 

• For further information see website Parc Haut Languedoc

Aigues Mortes

This walled town was established by Louis XI in the 13th century to consolidate his power on the Mediterranean. It was a royal port during the Crusades, even though the sea never approached its ramparts. To access part of the walls you need to visit the Musée Archéologique.

• See Aigues Mortes Tourist Office website

Canal du Midi

This 240km canal runs from Sète to Toulouse. Built by the Béziers salt-tax baron Pail Riquet it is a feat of engineering with its complex locks, bridges and aqueducts. It is now a very popular tourist attraction with many holiday barges in the summer. Along the canal you can visit the towns of Sete, Agde, Narbonne, Paraza, Ecluse de Gailhousty, Carcassonne and Béziers.

• See website Canal Midi, dedicated to the Canal and its history.

Cathar Country

Languedoc Roussillon was the centre of Catharism in the middle ages and there are many castles and towns with a Cathar association in the area: Quéribus, Durfort, Minerve, Lastours, Peyrepertuse, Aguilar, Puilaurens, Montaillou, Montségur and Villerouge-Termenes.

• Portail Cathares website is dedicated to Cathars and Cathar country (in French).
• For an explanation of Catharism see website Languedoc-France

Citadel of Carcassonne

Part of the UNESCO's World Heritage, a 13th century medieval town and castle above the River Aude. The strategic position of the Citadelle meant that it was often at the centre of religious conflict. The Cathars were given refuge here in 1209. This restored citadel is the subject of much controversy as critics complain that the Cité looks too new and are in favour of more romantic ruins. The towers and turrets of the castle overlook Corbières and Minervois wine producing regions and the Canal du Midi. 

Places to visit include the Château Comtal, a fortress within the fortress, and the Basilique Saint Nazaire.

• See Carcassonne Tourist Office website

Regional Tourist Offices

Official local tourism authorities have comprehensive websites in English providing much useful information for a tourist to the region.

The region of Languedoc-Roussillon has an official website: Tourisme-Languedoc-Roussillon

The main Tourist offices are:

• Gard Office of Tourism
  At: 3, Place des Arènes, 30000 Nimes
  Tel: 04 66 36 96 30
  Fax: 04 66 36 13 14
  Website
• Lozère Tourism
  At: 14, Boulevard Henri Bourrillon, 48000 Mende
  Tel: 04 66 65 60 00
  Fax: 04 66 49 27 96
  Website
• Languedoc-Roussillon Regional Committee for Tourism
  At: 20 rue de la République, 34000 Montpellier
  Tel: 04 67 22 81 00
  Fax: 04 67 64 47 48
  Website
• Carcassonne Tourist Office
  At: 28, rue de Verdun, 11890 Carcassonne
  Tel: 04 68 10 24 30
  Fax: 04 68 10 24 38
  Website 
• Perpignan Tourist Office
  At: Place Armand Lanoux, 66000 Perpignan
  Tel: 04 68 66 30 30
  Fax: 04 68 66 30 26
  Website

Selected tourism websites:

• French Web Portals (in The AngloFILE)
• Languedoc-Roussillon Web Portals (In The AngloFILE)
• Languedoc Roussillon Tourist Offices (in The AngloFILE)
• French Ministry of Tourism The facts about tourism in France (in French)
• Maison de la France International guide to tourism in France
• Tourism in France