 The Languedoc Roussillon is France's most southerly region. It occupies an arc of land that curves around the Gulf of Lions in the Mediterranean Sea between the Rhone Valley in the North and Perpignan in the South. The land here is diverse, offering French property hunters a myriad of opportunities. You could buy a chateau in the heart of the Languedoc countryside amongst the vineyards and sun-kissed hills or you could find yourself staring out over the Mediterranean from a seafront apartment in Canet Plage near Perpignan. You could even set your sights on a ski chalet high up in the Pyrenees-Orientales...the choice is yours!
The climate in the Languedoc-Roussillon is nothing short of spectacular. Away from the mountains this part of France rarely suffers cold. Summers are long and hot, with very little rainfall. The winters are mild, especially along the Vermillion Coast between Perpignan and the Spanish border. All in all, the Languedoc-Roussillon is a sun worshipers dream!
West of the Rhone Valley in the North of the region is the department of Gard. Here deep gorges, forested hills and dramatic riverscapes can be enjoyed, while in the extreme North the Cevennes mountain range that borders the Ardeche rises up to spectacular heights. Nestled in the valleys are beautiful medieval towns and hamlets, all offering opportunities to buy reasonably priced Languedoc Roussillon property. In fact, some of the cheapest French property in the region can be found in Northern Gard. Nimes, the capital of Gard, is one of the prettiest cities in France and Arles - where the Rhone meets the sea - is out of this world too!
Moving south to the coast we find the department of Herault and its series of lagoons that run between Montpellier and Beziers. If you're into watersports then Languedoc Roussillon property in this area is a must. The town of Pezenas on the Peyne River to the north-east of Beziers is a superb location in which to buy a villa in France if you're looking for to live in or close to a traditional Languedoc town of red-tiled roofs. Here, a 2-bed villa in France with swimming pool will cost you in the region of 280,000 euros.
Along the coast from Beziers is Narbonne, through which a branch of the Canal-Midi runs and following the canal further to the west we find the ancient fortified town of Carcassonne in Aude. Property is much sought-after in Carcassonne, where both the canal stretch and medieval town complete with turreted walls have been listed as protected sites by UNESCO.
Even further to the south we find the Pyrenees Orientales. Here, the Catalan influence from across the border is very evident. In Perpignan the Catalan flag flies proudly alongside the French and regional flags. In fact, along the Vermillion coast you may be forgiven for thinking that you are actually in Catalan itself, such is the influence the Catalan region has on this most southerly part of France.
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