Although the south of France is one of the most attractive regions of France for tourists, and is therefore one of the best developed provinces in the country, there are still wild corners off the beaten track that let you experience the south of France in a different way. One of them is the Languedoc. A small neighbour of Provence and the Côte d’Azur, the Languedoc stretches west of the Rhône and north-east of the Garonne, right on the Mediterranean. With its départements of Ardèche, Gard, Hérault, Aude and Tarn, the Languedoc has provinces of exceptional history, where there is much to discover both in nature and in culture.
Natural spectacles Languedoc style
A fine sandy beach kilometres long, blue sky and the Mediterranean: this backdrop is simply perfect for a little beach adventure! The Abrivado Ranch thought so too, and offers a rather different leisure activity at the natural beach of L’Espiguette near Grau-du-Roi: high on horseback you can gallop through the spray, and right on time for sunset a picnic in the dunes awaits. For horse lovers, a holiday day in the Languedoc could hardly end more romantically! The Pont du Diable also advertises itself with plenty of romance. Unlike what its name suggests, the medieval arched bridge near Saint-Jean-de-Fos sits in wildly romantic surroundings: it spans the gorge of the River Hérault impressively in two wide stone arches and also gives direct access to a picturesque bathing pool at the mouth of the gorge. With the best view of the bridge, the cliffs and the emerald-green water, you can enjoy a bathing day in the south of France that is a little out of the ordinary. With warm bathing temperatures and crystal-clear water, the Lac du Salagou in the Hérault is another draw. Surrounded by rust-red shores, the reservoir shines in almost unreal colours and invites you to a long day of swimming amid uninhabited banks. A walk to the “ruffes”, the red sedimentary landscape shaped by wind and water right by the lake, is also worthwhile. The Cévennes National Park, on the other hand, awaits with dense mixed forests, villages nestled picturesquely against the slopes and the breathtaking gorge of the Tarn. From Florac, where the Tarn plunges abruptly into the depths, the river can also be explored superbly by kayak. Plenty of mountain bike trails also tempt you to individual tours through the national park.
Cultural gems in the Languedoc
In the middle of the Hérault Gorge lies the little village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, which is home to the Gellone Abbey, not only a 1,200-year-old abbey but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located directly on the French Way of St James, Gellone Abbey has been a place of retreat for centuries. The extensive complex radiates this too, and together with the village, named one of the most beautiful in France, forms an oasis of calm amid a dramatic mountain backdrop. The thermal springs of Balaruc-les-Bains also look back on a long history, as they have been used for cures since antiquity.
Especially rich in salt, calcium and magnesium, the healing waters of Balaruc today fill the modern pools of the O’balia spa landscape, simply an experience for the senses! Water aplenty is also offered by the Maguelone Cathedral, located on a tiny island in the Mediterranean. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, it is a truly mystical place with an extraordinary atmosphere.
The wonderful city of Carcassonne with its fully preserved city fortifications is also always worth a visit. The Musketeers send their regards.