Renting A Holiday Villa In France
Languedoc, west of the Rhone, doesnt have the same fame as its equally beautiful neighbour of Provence and is just waiting to be discovered
. Known as Le Midi it combines history, fabulous wine and a picturesque landscape, it contains some of Francess most remarkable scenery. Its also easy to get to, with both Carcassonne and Perpignan providing accessible airports and Barcelona airport is only a few hours from the southern part of this lovely area.Most of the landscape is dominated by the Pyrenees Mountains. They are both high and snow covered for most of the year and Canigou is one of the most famous peaks at just under 10000 feet. The Canal du Midi bisects the region, connecting the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Its used solely as a tourist attraction now, and its possible to hire boats on the canal and enjoy the landscape as the waterway meanders across the sun baked plain of southern Languedoc.
Ancient monasteries, vine covered hills and picturesque villages dominate the landscape and tourist attractions include the ancient city of Carcassonne. It is one of the highlights of any trip to France and to this day instils a sense of medieval history in visitors. Its turreted walls have made it one of the most visited tourist attractions in France and its easy to imagine the sound of clashing swords, frightened horses and gallant knights of old as one gazes up at the historic city.
Increasingly, many visitors travel to Languedoc to discover France as it used to be. This is an ideal way to get a real taste of what France has to offer. Its a region that has managed to remain unspoilt for many years. Olive groves, sunny villages, orchards and of course some of the most extensive vineyards in the world are there to be explored.
For those interested in food and wine there are endless wineries and many are combined with excellent restaurants so you can sample all the local produce at the one sitting!
Holiday accommodation in Languedoc comprises a range of good standard hotels, bed and breakfasts and self catering accommodation gites style accommodation. However, despite the growing popularity of the region with tourists, the area is not over endowed with quality accommodation. For example there are relatively few self catering villas with private pools that offer all en suite accommodation.
One of my favourite places to stay in France is Villa La Cascade. This self catering villa with private pool is set at the edge of the old village of Durban Corbieres, complete with medieval castle. Its only an hour or so from both Perpignan and Carcassonne airports. Within walking distance of the village and bakery it delivers high quality accommodation for up to six adults in three en suite bedrooms with magnificent views over the Corbieres hills. See http://www.rentvillalanguedoc.com
The villa is convenient to the excellent French motorway network and indeed many British visitors take cars on the Eurotunnel or the myriad of ferries and drive to Languedoc. Perhaps the best thing about staying in this gorgeous house is the views. From dawn to dusk the sky is generally a beautiful blue at almost every time of the year and looking out from the bedrooms over the vineyards and the pool below is one of my favourite things about a visit to this part of the world. Even in winter the temperatures rarely get cold for more than a few days and the season is remarkably short. From early February it usually quite pleasant and warm enough to sit out and in the height of the summer a good hat is often needed or perhaps a parasol and a cool glass of vin blanc!
Nearby, the town of Narbonne has a great food market and is ideal for a leisurely stroll through the old streets- perhaps ending ones visit with a cafe au lait in the old main square, compete with Roman ruins.
All told, Languedoc deserves to be discovered so make a resolution to visit this still undiscovered treasure of Southern France.
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