The Unknown South of France: The Magical Places of Languedoc-Roussillon by Yasmine Tadmor

When you think of France, you always think of Paris or Provence or the Dordogne, but few if any know other parts of the South of France. After almost three years of living in the South of France (Languedoc-Roussillon), I discovered an area of ​​incredible beauty that many people don't know about.

Montpellier and Pic Saint-Loup, the pearls of southern France

I live in a village near the city of Montpellier (which many people probably haven't heard of either), which is a classic European city with a beautiful little old center and many charming corners hidden in its narrow alleys. Also in Montpellier is the Arc de Triomphe, almost like the one in Paris but older. Also in Montpellier is the oldest botanical garden in Europe – right in the city center. (Did you know that the oldest building in the city is an ancient Jewish “mikwa” from the Middle Ages – yes, that's right).

My village is at the foot of a beautiful mountain called Pic St Loup. It is truly a peak and can be seen from almost anywhere in the area. You can climb it and enjoy the wonderful view of the landscape in the area (a climb for walkers), and an enormous cliff that starts at the base of the mountain and reaches its peak. Opposite it is the impressive “Ortos” ridge, which is actually the other half of a huge mountain that once existed and today separates the two by a fertile valley that is entirely covered in plots of vineyards. There is also an ancient castle on the mountain, of which only the walls have been preserved, but the view from it is beautiful.

La Metal

At the foot of the peak there are many hidden surprises. The village of “Les Matellas” is a small village with an ancient medieval center that is almost perfectly preserved. Take a short walk around the village and be impressed by the wonderfully preserved ancient houses (and there is even a cute little museum with changing exhibitions and a permanent exhibition of finds from the prehistoric era, one of the exhibits of which is a spinal bone with an arrow stuck in it…)

Not far from “La Mettel” is the source of the “Laz”. The “Laz” is the stream that crosses the city of Montpellier, but its beginning is in a simply charming place… I have no other word to describe this place. Right in the area where the “Laz” originates, there is a small park with a clear, clear stream flowing through it, huge, ancient plane trees, and endless peace and quiet. The place is usually almost completely empty during the week, and there aren’t many people there on the weekends either (in that “Laz” lives a fish called “Chabou du Laz” and this is the only place in the world where you can find this fish, so it is a protected species and the place is a nature reserve).

Saint-Guillaume-le-Désert

Also in our area is the village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. The road to it passes over the “Devil’s Bridge” located over the river after which the province is named: the “Hérault”. You can stop and climb the old bridge to view the impressive river that flows through a beautiful canyon and creates a small lake where you can wade on hot days. The village of “Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert” is an ancient and beautiful medieval village. It lies on the banks of the “Hérault” and is hidden in a beautiful valley. You will find many narrow alleys, beautiful old houses and one square with a huge plane tree in the center. The church in the village is also one of the oldest in the area. (In the summer, you can go kayaking on the “Hérault” river – recommended).

Aigue Mort and the Bird Park

A little further east of Montpellier is the town of Aigues Mortes (the name means “dead water” in Occitan, the local language). A medieval town completely surrounded by a wall located on the seashore. You can walk around the streets, but it is best to go up the wall that surrounds the city and enjoy beautiful views of the city and the region.

Not far from there, in a marshy area called the Camargue , is a unique bird park. The park is unique because it is home to huge flocks of flamingos all year round. The park is a bit reminiscent of the Hula Lagoon and you can walk around the pools and see hundreds of pink and very noisy flamingos, wandering from side to side. A truly spectacular sight. In addition, you can see many other birds there.

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 The cities of St. and Meaux

About a 45-minute drive west of Montpellier is the town of Sète–– perched on a hill on a narrow strip of coastline between the Mediterranean Sea and a large lagoon. At the top of the hill called Saint Claire there is a beautiful view of the area. It is nice to wander through the alleys of the old town and along the canals. Sète has a large port that is always full of cargo ships and tourists and a lively seafood scene (the town of Sète is also the birthplace of Georges Brassan, where he is also buried).

A little north of Montpellier lies the Cévennes mountain range, a wild, beautiful and almost untouristed area dotted with peaks, forests, streams and charming villages. In Sevres is the city of Millau with its famous bridge, which is an engineering and architectural marvel because it is the highest bridge in the world. It is simply an experience to drive along the more than two kilometers of the bridge at an altitude of more than 340 meters above the Tarn Valley. In Sevres you can find many more spectacular views, small and ancient villages and stunning nature.

The wine of Languedoc-Roussillon

The “Landeux Roussillon” region is very well known for growing wine grapes and making wine. In fact, it is the region in France where the largest amount of wine is produced. Vineyards are planted everywhere you look. There are many wine producers on small farms scattered around and in villages, and you can enter the small wineries for wine tasting, and of course, to purchase. The wine in the region was once known as a lower quality wine, but in recent years, wine production in the region has developed greatly and become of higher quality, and today wine from the region is beginning to gain recognition and appreciation both in France and throughout the world. (There is even a brand of wine named after the “Pic Saint-Lo”, the vineyards from which the grapes for this wine are harvested are located right at the foot of the mountain).

Want to discover the real France?

For more experiences, surprises, and a different introduction to the region, you are invited to join my organized tours – meet the real France – an organized tour in the unknown south of France, get to know the France of the French, not the tourists. Come discover hidden places, taste the exquisite French food culture, and most of all, have fun.