Exploring Languedoc-Roussillon: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Occitania

2023-10-21 13:43:00

It looks like the cold is finally knocking on our doors. Logical, you will tell us. But the sun and the gentleness are still very pleasant and we all want to prolong the moment even more. 6 hours by TGV from Brussels, Montpellier is our gateway to Languedoc-Roussillon, a destination already very popular with Belgian tourists. Béziers-Cap d’Agde airport also offers four rotations per week from Charleroi.

If we mention Occitania here, it is because the late season or winter allows discoveries that we do not necessarily make in summer, reserved more for the beautiful beaches.

For many of our compatriots, going to this region is like a pilgrimage, recalling the warm and kind welcome that their parents or grandparents received during the exodus of 40 before the German advance.

For many others, archeology enthusiasts, this region is rich in memories since the Greeks settled in Agde, coming from Marseille, and planted vines there, while the Etruscans chose Montpellier. Remains are thus preserved from this period. These are the oldest vines in France, in a region whose sweetness was prized by the Roman legionnaires at the time of the Empire. Several villages in Languedoc, if you add the suffix -us to them, you will have the name of the legionnaire to whom the place was offered: Bassan, Bassanus for example.

The abbeys and churches almost all date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Later, the Sun King had the Canal du Midi built and, for its prestigious outlet to the Mediterranean, the city of Sète was built in 1666, a candidate, with Montpellier and Agde, to become European capital of culture in 2028 (answer start December).

Between Thau lagoon and the Mediterranean, Sète attracts many artists. ©OT Sète Thau Archipelago

Sète has always attracted artists, some of whom are buried in the marine cemetery (Georges Brassens, Paul Valery) but even now, many of them have come to paint, film or capture the Languedoc light: Jean-Michel Othoniel, Johan Creten , Benjamin Biolay. In all, more than 90 professional artists live in Sète.

Very close to Agde, the Laurens villa is a true Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewel. Of Moorish inspiration, this castle has just been renovated and has regained all its splendor.

The Thau archipelago should soon see the installation of 20 works by internationally renowned artists. And as long as we talk regarding this magical place that is the Etang de Thau, let’s not forget the oysters whose local production represents 10% of French oyster culture. This true inland sea is the largest (4.5 m on average and up to 30 m) of the ponds of Occitanie.

As for Montpellier, it is surrounded by follies, castles built in the 18th century, often located in the heart of the vineyard and which are the continuation of the town’s private mansions. There are 70 of these beautiful residences, called country follies. Georges Fresch, the former mayor, had two contemporary follies built: the Divine Folly on the one hand and the White Tree on the other, buildings with a rooftop, 17 floors. Thirteen other madnesses have been proposed recently and should soon see the light of day. They mark the transformation already observed in Montpellier, which can now be experienced on foot, like Sète or Béziers; so many city centers where it is good to get lost. Another advantage for visiting Sète and Montpellier during a long weekend, the two cities are connected by TER every twenty minutes.

Escale à Sète will bring together from March 26 to April 1 rigs from all over the world and in 2024, the event will be twinned with Ostend weighs anchor.

Les Logis brings together a series of independent hoteliers with a particularly strong presence in this region. In Hérault alone, there are 18. Small (20 rooms), they are mostly 3-star hotels, one of them being a 4-star, in Minervois, in Aliberts, a a real little paradise. Each Logis, for its restaurant, sources its supplies from local producers.

We won’t end this little tour without a quick stop at the port of Marseillan, to discover the oldest French vermouth, Noilly-Prat, used by James Bond for his cocktails. If in Belgium, we know the original dry, at the 200 year old distillery, you will be able to see the barrels left outside for aging then taste (in moderation obviously) this wine mixed with spices, in its red version or amber.

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