Regional Information
1) Canal du Midi
2) Carcassonne
3) Causses
4) Cevennes
5) Chaos de Montpellier-le-vieux
6) Collioure
7) Mediterranean Coastline
8) Montpellier
9) Nimes
10) Perpignan
11) Peyrepertuse
12) Pezenas
13) Regional Access
14) Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
15) Uzès
The Canal du Midi, joining the Mediterranean to the Atlantic was dreamt of in Roman times, but would only come about late in the seventeenth century, and the guidance and finance of a certain Pierre-Paul Ricquet, who died a mere six months before the opening of the canal in 1680. His major achievement was in surmounting the obstacle set before him in the form of a pass, known as the Seuil de Naurouze, at an altitude of 194m. This he did by tapping a spring to create a water flow feeding locks in either direction. The canal no longer serves its original purpose for the transport of merchandise, and instead today presents opportunities for generous barge or boat cruises.
Carcassonne, site of a phenomenal fortified city on an outcrop that commands the main route between Toulouse and the Mediterranean, began its history as a Roman camp and has been the site of numerous seiges and invasions. The Albigensian crusades of the 13th century sent to stamp out the Cathar heresy brought to an end a period of four centuries of relative peace and prosperity. The city's importance as a military stronghold dwindled as the French border retreated southwards and the fortress was eventually left to decay until the early 19th century when restoration was undertaken under the authority of Viollet-le-Duc.
The Causses are vast limestone plateaux, that lie high (on average 1000m above sea level) above the vine covered plains of the Hérault. The Causses du Larzac south of Millau and the Causse Méjean and Causse Noir north east of Millau, present a tremendous natural spectacle for the eye. These arid expanses cover large surfaces of flat lands, and are cut through by deep gorges (Gorges du Tarn, for instance). Here and there bizarrely shaped dolomite rock formations can be seen and visited with their odd resemblance to ancient cities, an example of which is the Chaos de Montpellier-le-Vieux.
The Cevennes are a mountainous region with deep valley and serrated ridges bordering the massif central, the volcanically scarred central region of France. Peaks rise to 5600ft (1700m), the crests essentially used as pasture land for sheep. The slopes are heavily wooded, chestnut trees being ubiquitous. A scenic road known as the 'Corniche des Cevennes' was built on the orders of Louis XIV to enable his troops to cover ground more easily during his quelling of the regional protestant uprising. A great region for rambling.
| 5) Chaos de Montpellier-le-vieux |
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Chaos de Montpellier-le-vieux, situated not far from the southern extremity of the gorges du tarn, close to Millau, is a splendid a curious natural rock formation created by erosion and rainwater streaming over dolomite. Covering 300 acres of the causse noir (See Natural Phenomenon – Causses), the site took its name from shephards passing the site during their annual migration to higher altitudes, and likened them to ruined cities. The site was until late in the 19th century considered the haunt of the devil. Many of the oddities formed by the rocks, arches, passageways etc. have been attributed names; the skittle, crocodile and sphinx being among them.
Collioure, approximately 14 miles south of Perpignan is a mouth watering fishing port. Characteristic features of the town include brightly coloured boats, old streets and flights of steps. The meeting place of a number of significant 'fauve' artists in the early 20th century, Collioure stands in wonderful natural setting and holds a rich history as a trading centre of rousillon, under Catalan rule in the early 15 century. A citadel stands majestically between the two ports, marking a turning point in the towns history as it passed under French rule following invasion by Louis XI.
| 7) Mediterranean Coastline |
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There is no shortage of low lying sandy beaches along the coast. All in all the coastline constitutes tremendous sun bathing territory under the southern sun and blue skies. Near the Spanish border where the pyrenees meet the sea, the beaches give way to rocky coastline. Picturesque lagoons adorn large portions of the coastline behind the sand bars that form the long beaches.
Montpellier is a vibrant university town, with varied economic activities centred around pharmaceutical research, farm produce, IT, radio and television, and tourism and leisure. Its modest beginnings in the 10th century gave way after its sale as a Spanish enclave to the King of France in 1349 to a more prosperous future, albeit turbulent. Later in the town's history, leading architects were to come to beautify the town with esplanades, fountains, and town mansions. Visits to the old quarter highlight these stunning embellishments.
Nimes is among the oldest towns of the Languedoc region inhabited prior to Roman colonisation by nomadic tribes seeking refreshment from the natural springs in an otherwise arid environment. Nimes' most prestigious period is that under Roman rule, and from which date the tremendous monuments that can be seen today; the Magne tower, Maison Carrée, Amphitheatre, and aqueducts bridging the town to sources of water, of which the Eure near Uzès. Roman money was stamped with the crocodile and palm tree to celebrate Roman military victories.The 11th and 12th centuries represent a period of renewed prosperity for Nimes, notably through the trade of rich wool drapes. Yet the wool industry gave way to the more prosperous silk industry in the sixteenth century, a period which saw the construction of elegant town houses, boulevards and gardens. Nimes took its present shape as from the 18th century on destruction of the town walls, and their replacement with peripheral boulevards and the arrival of a railway in the 19th century. The town has however undergone a number of changes and embellishments, of which the construction of an art gallery by British architect Norman Foster that stands beside the Maison Carrée. These changes only enhance its position as a culturally active town rich in heritage.
Perpignan sits before the Pyrenean border with Spain, with its roots anchored in Catalan tradition and culture. Its rich history is evident from a glance at the Palace of the kings of Majorca built for a kingdom that ceased to be in 1344. The fortifications around the palace are of more recent origin as they were built for the French occupation under Louix XI. Tremendous views of the town, the Pyrenees, and the bordering Corbieres vineyards can be had from the summet of the Castillet tower in the centre of the town.
Peyrerpetuse, in the Aude department, is a fine example of a medieval fortress. Lower and upper castles, the first of which was the feudal fortress, stand atop a rocky outcrop at an altitude of about 780m. The startling château de Quéribus, that played its own role in the Albigensian crusades to end Cathar activity can be observed from the outcrop.
Pezenas, intermittently home to the playwright Molière, gives us a splendid look back at a town founded and fortified by the Romans, but that flourished as an important trading centre. The town became the residence of the governors of the Languedoc region who transformed Pezenas into the royal court (the Versailles) of the Languedoc. The town is abundant with 15th, 16th, 17th century hôtels particuliers (mansions) with decorative doorways and balconies. A real joy for the eye at all times of the year, Pezenas annually takes on a lively cultural tone with music and theatre festivals.
The region can be reached by car, train, plane or indeed boat. The French motorways run into the region from the north, entering the region on east and west, and on the inauguration of the Millau viaduct, will run directly in from the north. The high speed train (TGV) runs to the region, putting Montpellier at a precise three and a quarter hours from Paris, or just under five hours from Lille in the north of France, for transferring Eurostar commuters. Low cost airlines put Montpellier, Perpignan and Carcassonne a little over an hour from London airports, at budget prices. People travelling by boat will find ports at regular intervals along the mediterranean coast.
| 14) Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert |
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Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert stands next to the Gorges de l'Hérault, between Montpellier and Lodève.
Not only does it figure as a wonderfully picturesque place, but indeed stands on remarkable historical foundations, its origins set back at the time of emporer Charlemagne in the 8th century. Saint Guilhem is buried in the church of the abbey he had built there following his services as officer of charlemagne, his life-time friend. The monastery holds a most remarkable relic, a 3 inch piece of the sacred wood of the cross, originally held in Jerusalem, but passed to Charlemagne by a priest in Rome, and subsequently handed to Guilhem by Charlemagne.
Uzès and Nimes are separated by only 16 miles and the two cities share historical milestones. Uzès was where the Romans set up a military camp (Castrum Ucetiense). Beside Uzès is the source of the River Eure, which was tapped off via aqueducts, of which the spectacular 2000 year old Pont du Gard. Uzès was to become the First Duchy - residence to the French Dukes, first in line to the throne after the immediate monarchy - and hence underwent significant architectural revolution. The result today is a town of extraordinary beauty, with a castle, cathedral, magnificent arcaded squares and elegant town houses. Uzès saw periods of industrial prosperity, however the decline of its wool industry and the construction of the railway outside the town led to a certain abandonment and isolation. The late twentieth century saw a rebirth of the town. It was declared a place of important national heritage in 1965 and has since undergone thorough restoration. The numerous festivals, fairs and markets make this a very lively place.
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