Provence West

Languedoc

Located just to the west of the Provençal departements of the Bouches du Rhône and Vaucluse, the Languedoc-Roussillon region, which includes the historic walled city of Carcassonne, the ancient Roman settlement of Nîmes, Montpellier, with its famous medical and language schools, and the seaside port city of Toulouse, is characterized by its proximity to Spain, its unique dialect (the langue d'oc) and its prolific wine production. This varied region is also home to some of the most authentic and thoroughly charming villages in southwest France, including the incredible market town of Uzès, the rugged marshland of the Camargue (France's "cowboy country", and home to, of all things, wild flamingoes and miniature Arabian horses), and beautiful stretches of sandy beaches which offer a more rustic yet no less hedonistic alternative to the coastal resorts of the more famous (and infinitely more expensive) vacation spots along the Côte d'Azur. With its endless roads winding among vineyards and villages perfect for cycling, hiking or picnics, ancient amphitheatres, medieval fortresses, museums, galleries, cathedrals and an abundance of really superlative restaurants, the Languedoc is a wonderful vacation destination for first-time French visitors and seasoned Francophiles alike.