From coast to culture     

Beaches

The closest beaches, such as Valras, Portiragnes, and Serignan, are just a 50-minute drive away. While these offer a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, those seeking stunning scenery and wildlife should venture west to Les Cabanes de Fleury, Saint-Pierre-la-Mer, or Gruissan. Here, picturesque fishing villages, vast salt flats and the occasional pink flamingo await, with Gruissan's iconic beach cabins on stilts famously featured in the cult film 37°2 le matin. For a more mundane scene, head east to the renowned beaches of Cap d’Agde or the trendy port city of Sète.

Rivers and Lakes

There's also plenty of rock pools, rivers, and lakes to explore. A stone's throw away, there's the crystal clear yet icy cold Gorges d'Héric as well as the sandy riverbed at the Le Claps campsite. Alternatively, head to the Lac du Salagou, where you'll feel like you've landed on Mars (minus the aliens!).

Towns and cities

Béziers, arguably the oldest town in France, is steeped in history and rich culture. There’s a plethora of  iconic landmarks to visit such as Le Pont Vieux, Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire or the engineering marvel of Les 9 Écluses de Fonseranes.  It is renowned for the exuberant festivities of the Féria in August and its fine wines, as well as being the birthplace of notable figures such as resistance hero Jean Moulin and the engineer of the Unesco World Heritage site Le Canal du Midi, Paul Riquet. 

Pézenas is a delightful market town famed for its association with the legendary playwright Molière and its rich medieval heritage. There are many picturesque cobbled streets to stroll through, and an expansive antiques neighbourhood. Legend has it the local delicacy “Petit Paté de Pézenas” was a gift to the city by Lord Clive, the Viceroy of India, when visiting the city in 1768 . One may wonder if this gesture was nothing more than an elaborate prank played on the unsuspecting residents of Pézenas.

Narbonne, founded by the Romans in 118 B.C., boasts a rich history. To this day you can admire remnants of the Via Domitia, a Roman highway, in the main square. Visit iconic sites like the Archbishop's Palace and Cathédrale Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur or walk along the Canal de la Robine. Experience the vibrant "Halles de Narbonne," voted France's best market in 2022. Plus, don't miss the chance to sing along to "Boum!" or "La Mer" at the home of singer Charles Trenet, Narbonne's famous native son. 

Montpellier is the capital of the Hérault and its ancient university plays host to the oldest medical faculty still running. Notable alumni are Petrarca, Nostradamus and Rabelais. This beautiful historical town offers everything you might expect from the third largest city on the French mediterranean: a lively bar and restaurant scene, plenty of festivals and concerts as well as a vast array of musea and art galleries.

Sète, the largest French fishing port on the Mediterranean, is also known as the "Venice of Languedoc" for its impressive canals. Famous for its iconic Fête de la Saint-Louis and jousting tradition which goes back to the middle ages, but also for the fresh seafood and the many local delicacies, like the tielle Sétoise, macaronade, soupe de poisson or Frescati (de Sète). Most of these owe a debt of gratitude to successive immigrants from Provence, Catalonia, Naples and the Pieds-Noirs of North Africa.

Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the second most popular landmark in France and as such gets extremely busy in the summer. It is however a stunning example of a medieval stronghold, which was witness to the siege of the Cathars by Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester and allround nasty fellow. The Cité was saved from demolition and restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century.