How to describe Languedoc? Well, it’s the bit of France’s Mediterranean coast that most of us can’t name, ie, it’s not the Cote d’Azur. But being the south of France, you still get incredible sunshine, beaches, a relaxed attitude to life and beautiful scenery.

It used to be said that Languedoc was a well-guarded secret for the French, but the secret has been busted and the region is now one of the most popular holiday destinations in France.

If the weather and Med coast are the main temptation, another draw is Languedoc’s wine producing pedigree: this is the world’s biggest wine region, covering almost 300,000 hectares and producing more wine than Australia.

There are three siblu parcs in the area: La Carabasse, Lac des Reves and Les Sables du Midi.

For many people travelling to Languedoc, Montpellier will be the first port of call. The city mixes old and new beautifully, to present a fabulous array of sights, building, shops and a great selection of restaurants.

Most recommendations advise that you head to the Place de Comedie, the pink-marbled heart of the city, for an afternoon spent people watching,  but I prefer exploring the side streets where there is much more to see — the tram system means getting around is a joy.

For some flora and fauna, try the Jardin des Plantes, which is the oldest botanical gardens in France. Some of the plants here are apparently the great, great, offshoots of the originals that were planted in 1563!

Montpellier feels thoroughly modern, so at the other end of the spectrum is Carcassone, further along the coast. Carcassonne is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it has been described as the finest medieval fortified town in Europe. Carcassone’s castle featured in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, there are fantastic museums (one where children can be knighted), plus lots of good walks and loads of pavement cafés when it all becomes too much!

As you travel through Languedoc you are likely to criss-cross the historic Canal du Midi, which took 12,000 men to build. You won’t have time to explore the entire 235km, but book a boat, bicycle or horse for a fantastic day-long activity. 

The canal ends its journey in the port town of Sète, which made a name for itself by producing pickled fish originally. The canal is lined by shops and restaurants, and there are great views of the Italian-style houses and some of the fastest sailboats in the world.

I can recommend a drive to St Guilhem-le-Desert (30mins north of Montpellier), a World Heritage Site which has been designated a ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, one of the most beautiful villages in France. There are Bronze Age gorges and caves packed with art and craft shops and hidden houses, yet despite the awards and beauty, St Guilhelm has remained refreshingly modest, resisting all attempts to sell-out and go into showbiz.

On the way back stop off at Pont du Diablo, and huge bridge which spans a gorgeous lake. If you don’t mind climbing down the steep path, the chance to swim in the lake is really worth taking. If you get chatting, ask someone about the legend behind the bridge – a great tale, involving two abbeys, the devil and a dog.

There are plenty of lively towns to keep families entertained in Languedoc. Cap d’Agde is billed by the locals as a smaller version of St Tropez. It’s a modern bustling port which offers an impressive selection of shops, restaurants and bars. As well as indulging in eating, drinking, shopping and yacht-spotting, you could always hire a boat or go diving. To stop you feeling yacht-envy – some of the boats here are the size of small villages – turn your back on the port, and focus on choosing some homemade ice cream. There are some great beaches nearby and you will be hard pressed to keep children away from ‘Toonsland’ and the famous ‘Aqualand’ with its giant flumes, waterslides and wave machine. If you’re feeling brave, there’s a famous nudist beach nearby too.

La Carabasse is on the edge of Vias sur Plage, which is a bustling seaside stretch, but venture further and you will find the Vias Old Town, which is all tiny squares  and cobbled streets, and a twice weekly market that is packed with fresh produce, including oysters and mussels.

For a French-style kiss-me-quick enjoyment there’s Valras Plage, which has a long beach that gently shelves into the sea, making it ideal for swimming, sailing and sunbathing – not to mention the French national sport; lounging on a shady café terrace watching the world go by.

As well as providing safe haven to boats of all shapes and sizes, Valras Plage harbour is also home to some delightful bars and restaurants, many of which offer live music during the evening. And if you prefer a handful of chips to a plate of frites, the casino offers poker, roulette and blackjack as well as regular cabaret spectaculars throughout the season.

The region also has a terrific food pedigree, best experienced through a cooking course booked through one of the parcs. You can read about my own cooking lessons here.

Tags | camping, canal du midi, carcassone, family holidays, France, La Carabasse, Lac des Reves, Languedoc, montpellier, Sables du Midi, sete, south of France, unesco world heritage site