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Interesting places to see in Languedoc, France
A route full of history and beauty in the French region of Occitanie
The Languedoc - Rousillon is one of the best places for tourism in France, with its wooded landscapes adorned with villages and medieval fortresses, where gastronomy and wine tourism also have a privileged place.
This area of the south of France, which has these idyllic landscapes, is a place with a lot of history, since in these territories, a Gnostic current of Christianity developed, which was considered by the Catholic Pope, as a heresy that should be extirpated.
Some vestiges of this period still remain today, as we will see below, in this small travel guide; so you know for sure what to see and do in Languedoc – Rousillon.
Top 7 of the most beautiful places in Languedoc – Rousillon
1. Albi
The “Brick Lady” or “Red City” as Albi is also known, is one of the most beautiful cities in France, with a historic center that is a World Heritage Site.
The names indicated above are due to the fact that the medieval city was built with brick, which gives it a hue, between red, pink or ocher, depending on the time of day and the time of year in which the city is visited..
Once you arrive in Albi, the first thing you should do is walk through its historic center, a place where its brick buildings will make you feel like you are in a medieval tale.
Some of the places you cannot miss in Albi are:
Albi Cathedral : magical site full of art, from its interior and exterior architecture; going through the organ, the choir, its pulpit; in addition to the paintings or sculptures that you will find in the place.
The Berbie Palace : with its beautiful gardens and its high defensive towers, a place where several places of interest are located.
The Collegiate Church of Saint Salvi : Built to honor the first bishop of Albi, with many architectural elements to see; for example, the cloister of Saint Salvi, with its columns decorated with figures and strange shapes, or the tomb of Saint Salvi.
The city of Albi is also remembered for being the city of the Cathars, for this reason Catholicism called Catharism the “Albigensian heresy”.
2. Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
The Toulouse Lautrec Museum is a must-see in Occitania, as it is a museum in honor of the painter Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, who was a native of Albi and one of the greatest poster artists of his time.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, created numerous posters to promote events; however, those related to cabarets, the Moulin Rouge, some brothels and racecourses, are some of his most outstanding works.
However, the museum covers more things, its lithographs or paintings, which also have an excellent artistic technique; besides having paintings by other artists, numismatic collections and other curiosities.
3. Montsegur Castle
On a promontory 1,200 meters high is the Montségur castle, which was created in the 13th century, the last home of the Albigensian Cathars, who perished at the hands of the Catholic hosts of the inquisition, when they managed to conquer this mythical castle.
To get to know this place, it will be necessary to walk the mountain for half an hour, however, once up there, you will enjoy the best views of the place, observing the surrounding green meadows and mountains.
In addition to this, you can enjoy the excellent guided tour of the castle, where the guides will teach you everything related to the life of the Cathars, who had a particular conception of the world; which differed substantially from the dogma of the Catholic Church.
4. Peurepertuse Castle
The Corbiéres region in the south of France, in the Languedoc, is known for its magnificent and famous world-class wines, however, the Peurepertuse castle is one of its main jewels; where you can enjoy amazing views.
The castle, which dates back to the 13th century, was used to guard the borders, mainly that of Aragon, since the castle is located near the old borders of this important Spanish kingdom.
Being a border surveillance point, its position in a high place is explained, this being the main reason for the impressive views that you will have when visiting this beautiful Chateau.
In the castle of Peurepertuse when the month of August arrives, an incredible festival of the Middle Ages is held, with shows, great banquets, concerts, a medieval market and much more.
Without a doubt, visiting this castle is one of the best things to see and do in Languedoc-Roussillon.
5. Canal du Midi
Just as the Panama Canal manages to unite the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific, the Canal du Midi or Midi, unifies the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean ; crossing all of France, and being the canal that is still navigable, the oldest in the European continent.
The creation of a channel that crossed France, or the Gallic territory, was an ambition since Roman times, where several unsuccessful attempts were made.
It would be one of the most influential regents of France, the proclaimed “Sun King”, Louis XIV, who would bring this ancient idea to fruition.
From its creation in the 17th century until the 1970s, the Canal du Midi was an important commercial artery in France.
Merchandise, mail, people, etc. passed through this canal, both along its river path and the land routes that surround it; however, from 1970 the channel becomes a tourist attraction.
Currently, one of the best ways to travel the Canal du Midi is by renting a boat or taking part in a cruise.
A large number of these cruises set sail from the city of Toulouse and take you to the Mediterranean beaches of the south of France, showing you medieval cities, dreamy castles and unforgettable places.
If you travel through France and want to get to know this country in a unique way, touring the Canal du Midi will be an essential visit.
6. Narbonne
If you are in Spain, in Catalonia or its surroundings, and decide to escape to France, Narbonne is the best option, since thanks to the high-speed train, Narbonne is only two hours from Barcelona.
This beautiful medieval city was the capital of the Gallic country in Roman times, today it is known as the city of culture and history, with many incredible sites that you can visit.
You will find some of these places in its historic center, such as the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the Cathedral of San Justo y San Pastor, or the Via Domitia.
However, Narbonne is known for being an important wine point in the world, along with its excellent gastronomic offer.
Regarding these aspects, we must point out that its vineyards have done a great job to attract tourism, developing a world-class wine, together with the development of wineries that attract a large number of people who like wine tourism.
Regarding gastronomy, Narbonne offers some of the best examples of French cuisine, but the Les Grand Buffets restaurant is, without a doubt, a turning point in this type of offer.
This restaurant offers a huge buffet, showcasing all the best of French food, which has become an interesting tourist destination.
7. The 4 Cathar castles of Lastours
The Languedoc is known as the Cathar route, and the castles of Lastours are one of the most important points of this route.
Lastours castles are four, Cabaret, Surdespine, Quertineux, and Tour Régine, which look imposing on high hills, from where you can glimpse a large green territory that surrounds these castles.
In order to reach them, you will have to walk up the mountains for a few minutes, but when you reach the top, the reward will be worth it.
In this area you can also visit the archaeological exhibition on the discoveries in the area, which will show you what happened in four thousand years of human history, in the Lastours area.
These have been the best places to see in Languedoc – Rousillon, one of the most beautiful and interesting areas in the south of France; home of the Cathars, special views and excellent cuisine.
