Explore Languedoc Roussillon with Carhire3000

The Coast	Cathar Country	Historic Villages & Towns

Montpellier

Montpellier is one of France’s most rapidly expanding cities and is perhaps most famous for being the home of the world’s oldest continually operating university. It is also the capital city of Languedoc Roussillon. Only a short drive from the region’s coast and array of superb beaches, this vibrant and historic settlement makes a perfect base for holidaymakers.

Whilst being renowned for its historic buildings and unique architecture, the city has gone through much renovation and change in the last decade. Ricardo Bofill’s postmodern redesign of the Antigone quarter by the river Lez, incorporating le Corum exhibition and conference centre and a state of the art tram system has changed Montpellier from an ageing academic city into an eclectic, dynamic settlement.

Sightseers and shopaholics alike should head for the enormous central square in the heart of Montpellier. Here you will find small, yet upmarket fashion boutiques of the pedestrian-friendly place de la Comédie next door to the cavernous and belittling grandeur of Montpellier Opera House. Also nearby is the ornate esplanade Charles de Gaulle, home to a fantastic morning market where shoppers can sample Languedoc Roussillon’s finest local cuisine or purchase some of the locally produced world famous wine.

Montpellier’s largest shopping area (Rue de la Loge) is just a short work from the market. Although many of its department stores and boutiques are very modern in design and feel, you are only ever a five minute walk from Montpellier’s old town. Since the city’s recent rejuvenation, Montpellier has attracted many of the planets’ richest and most powerful people who occupy the many mansions and courtyards that have stood in this part of the city since the 15th century.

Under the darkness of night, Montpellier’s vibrancy really comes to the foreground. The enormous nightclub complex of Villa Rouge can house 2,000 partygoers on three floors, playing party classics for all ages. Live music fans will adore le Corum concert and exhibition centre which regularly plays host to some of Earth’s most famous performers and acts. Should you require something a little more romantic and quiet; a walk along the lit paths of the river Lez will find you the perfect setting for a meal in the many restaurants by the water, the quintessential way to spend a night in this beautiful Mediterranean setting.

Béziers

Perched on top of a small buff overlooking the Canal du Midi just before it enters the Mediterranean, the cathedral town of Béziers is one of the most historic locations in Languedoc Roussillon, and more notably, is the capital of the Languedoc wine trade.

What initially strikes visitors is the looming presence of the Cathédrale St-Nazaire which overlooks the town and dates back as early as the 6th century. The Cathedral, in its original state stood for almost six centuries until the year 1209 when, during the Cathar - Catholic war, the building was all but destroyed on the grimmest day in the region’s history. Armand Amaury’s Catholic army invaded the town and slaughtered thousands of locals who were believed to be hiding Cathar soldiers within the confines of the Cathedral. The ensuing struggle led to the cathedral being burnt to the ground.

The Cathédrale St-Nazaire that stands today was rebuilt immediately after the destruction that happened in 1209 incorporating a Gothic design. Along with the rebuild came the Pont-Vieux, an ornate aqueduct which sits below the cathedral and crosses the River Orb and into the main shopping area of Béziers which contains mainly souvenir shops and locally produced wine.

A short walk up from the Pont-Vieux to the cathedral’s towers offers tourists the perfect opportunity to see with their own eyes, the endless vineyards of the area and indulge in panoramic views that truly sum up the paysage of Languedoc Roussillon and the awe-inspiring dominance of the Pyrenees.

Should you be looking to extend your stay in Béziers into the evening, the Allées Paul-Riquet in the medieval quarter around the cathedral offer a wide selection of restaurants set in beautiful gardens designed by the same creator of Paris’ Bois de Boulogne. In this evening setting Bézier’s true beauty shines, with the Pont-Vieux and Cathédrale St-Nazaire spectacularly lit-up, their reflections left shimmering in the river below.

This is a bustling town with a good selection of shops and restaurants as well as larger out-of-town outlet around the ringroad. There is a popular market on Saturday and the town is renowned for its Feria in August.
Although Beziers is not on the coast itself, there are a number of nearby beaches frequented by visitors and locals alike. Popular choices include:

Valras Plage
A popular beach with good amenities and choice of restaurants. If the busy main beach is not to your taste, head for the marina where the “Lily Passeur” will take you across the inlet to a near deserted stretch of beach.

Vias Plage
Most frequented in the evenings when the large amusement park opens at 20h. Swap your euros for Vias Ecus and enjoy the range of family oriented rides from looping rollercoaster and zooming dodgems to mini rides and junior quad bikes.

Serignan Plage
Smaller than neighbouring Valras, Serignan is a quieter affair with few facilities.

Marseillan Plage
Between to the busy resorts of Cap D’Agde and Sete, Marseillan Plage offers a wide choice of tourist restaurants and shops. The beach is sandy and shelves gently into the sea making this a popular choice with families. If you are looking for peaceful seclusion, this may not be the place for you as in high season it can be hard to find a place to park your beach towels.