Languedoc Advice

I also will be in that area in about 12 days. Specifically staying in Rocquebrun and would love to know also if there is anything to do there or any good restaurants etc?

Thank you so much!! Such great info!

I didn't really know anything about Béziers, just that it is about 20 minutes or so away from the house we are renting but that is good to know that it isn't really worth spending time in. Is Pézénas similar to Béziers?

We will definitely take the time to go to Le Grau-du-Roi. Do you prefer that beach over Collioure or Agde or Marseillan?

La Grotte des Demoiselles looks wonderful…it is 1 hour 30 minutes away but seems worth it and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is just about 1 hour. perfect!

Thank you SO much- this is such great info!!!

Hi Christie,
We spent 5 weeks in Pezenas a few years back and LOVED it and the larger area surrounding it. It's a very pretty village with nice winding streets and great shops. There's a really beautiful marzipan candy store in town that is a feast for the eyes and the mouth! They have a fairly large weekly market that offers everything under the sun.
My son was 8 when we went to the area and these are the things we did that our whole family liked...
* Beziers - yes, the town is a little sketchy but climbing to the tower of the cathedral/church there is spectacular.
* St Guillaume le Desert - gorgeous, ancient pilgrimage town nestled in a valley inland from where you are staying.
* There are caves that you can tour on the road up to St Guillaume le Desert.
* Swimming in the river at the end of the gorge near St Guillaume le Desert - you swim under an ancient Roman bridge. You can rent kayaks and go up the gorge to see the blue water and interesting rock formations.
* Abbaye de Valmangne - stunning winery in an old monastery. The giant wine casks fill the side chapels of the church. Worth a visit.
* Sete - go see the water jousting - guys on boats with elevated ramps who try to knock each other off with poles. I've never seen anything like it anywhere else!
* Canal du Midi - rent bikes and ride along the old towpaths under the trees. It's lovely!
* La Grotte des Damoiselles - great caverns that you can tour. It's nice to be able to get out of the heat for a while!
* Tour de France - we were lucky enough that the tour went right by our front door when we stayed there. I looked and this year leg 16 starts from Carcasonne and heads west on July 22. Don't know if this interests you but it's fun to see if you're in the area.
* Narbonne - go see the cathedral...it was only half built bit is still immensely big. What the finished product would have been I can't imagine!
* Musee de l'Ephebe in Cap d'Agde is kind of interesting - small museum with maritime antiquities taken from the bottom of the sea in that area around France. Cap d'Agde also has a big waterpark called Aqualand. There is also a smaller one right on the beach for younger kids called Captain Jacko that we went to quite a few times. It was a hit! Note that a large part of Cap d'Agde is naturist - clothing optional - your kids will get an eyeful if you make a wrong turn! We avoided it just fine though...:) My American prudishness is showing I'm afraid...
Just know that it will be extremely hot where you are staying in July. Keep the kids hydrated and take a break in the afternoon like the locals do -
Have a great time!

Alex, yeah that's a valid question. Basically we are driving from Barcona Spain and will be stopping at the Cather cases (Perypretuse - spelling) so this was a good 1/2 stopping point for our next days journey and my family found an apartment to rent for 1 night they really liked. Should be fun and laid back for at least this night.

Anita- thank you- this is perfect!

luddgang- we are doing the opposite…we are going from Paris to Roquessels and then Barcelona!

You've picked a fine area of France and of LR to visit. There are so many things to see. I highly recommend the Michelin Green Guide to LR which is an invaluable resource for things to do, driving routes and advice on restaurants. We found the Michelin Restaurant app useful, too.

We spent a month just outside Pezenas one summer. It was one of our best holidays. We alternated lazy days beside the pool and interesting day trips where the choices are plentiful. We didn't have young children along, however the things I'll mention will likely have some appeal to the entire family. All are within a couple of hours' drive from Roquessels. Some things have already been mentioned.

First, the beach. We liked Marseillan Plage a lot. It's a fine beach that wasn't crowded during June, but of course July might be different. The town of Marseillan, a short distance away, has several decent restaurants around the old harbor.

The Millau Viaduc is spectacular. I think even the girls will be impressed. The visitor center is interesting and the walk up to the viewpoint from there isn't difficult. Roquefort-sur-Soulzon is near Millau, but I couldn't get any of my group interested in a walk through the cheese caves. Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert as mentioned by Alex is lovely and could fit into the day as well.

The village of Minerve is fascinating. The history of the Cathars is virtually unknown in America as it may be in the rest of Europe as well. The setting is striking with fine views. A couple of good restaurants and some good shops inhabit the ancient place. On the way to Minerve the Canal du Midi town of Capestang has a pleasant "place" with restaurants, etc. Near the church is a plaque honoring the local men who were rounded up by the Nazis. The whole area was a center of the Resistance movement in WWII.

Aigues Mortes and the Camargue fit together nicely for a day trip. AM is completely authentic unlike Carcassonne with its somewhat controversial restoration work. The Michelin Restaurant app came in handy in AM by leading us to a very good quiet restaurant away from the touristy spots. The Camargue is a unique part of France on a flat plain with flamingoes, white horses and black bulls. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer has an interesting old church and a fine sandy beach.

Collioure is well worth the drive but be warned that parking is a challenge. If you arrive early enough the central parking area may have spots. The so-called Cathar castles might fit into the day. It isn't necessary to make long hikes to appreciate the rugged beauty of the castles.

I have to disagree about Beziers. The city has a charm and interest. The Jardin des Poets is a fine park. Nearby the Allees Paul Riquet is lined with restaurants and shops. A highlight is the cathedral which sits on the site of the massacre that took place during the sack of the city in the Albiginsian Crusade. There are fine views over the countryside and the Canal du Midi. The Fonserranes Locks are interesting and fun to visit. There's a path beside the canal for walking and biking.

Roquebrun is beautiful. Le Petit Nice restaurant has good food and great views over the river and valley. The Saint Chinian wine appellation nearby produces great wines. Take time to visit some wineries. The children will be welcome.

Lee- Thank you!! I just ordered the Michelin Green Guide as well as the 2014 Michelin map of the Languedoc region from amazon.

We recently spent 4 nights in Collioure and had a great time! The coast is beautiful and the hiking opportunities are excellent. While it is a challenge to park in Collioure, we purchased a parking pass for 30 Euro (good for one week) that allowed us to park in any of the restricted lots. If anyone is going to be there 4 or more nights it's an option. We weren't happy about paying the fee but it was a comfort to know that we could easily park near our hotel.

Thanks, all.