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Information about Languedoc and camping holidays available in the region
NB. We have worked out several routes to the Languedoc region which are further down the page.
Languedoc is really Languedoc-Roussillon, to give the region it's full name, and it is a huge area right at the southern tip of France with a long coastline facing the Mediterranean Sea. Indeed, one of the main cities in the area, Perpignan, is as pretty well as due south of Calais at it is possible to be, and for camping holiday purposes the region stretches from Nimes in the north to the French/Spanish border just south of Perpignan.
For far too long this region has been looked upon as the "poor relation" to Provence in the holiday stakes, but I know which one I would choose to take my holidays in any day! Languedoc every time! Visitors don't all come here to lie on the beach all day, there are lots who like to explore the local history, abbeys and castles and the countryside of course.
Languedoc has some of the best beaches in Europe, but it also has some poor ones too, and the ones to avoid are usually tacked onto the larger towns. The weather here is as good as it gets in France, and generally that means nice and hot, dry and usually calm.
We are affiliated with canvas Holidays who have a presence in 4 different areas of the Languedoc:Argelès-sur-Mer,St Cyprien, Serignan Plage, Aigues-Mortes.
Languedoc would probably be more popular with Brits if it were nearer, as this is quite a trek by car - near enough 800 miles from Calais at any rate, but the whole region is so beautiful it must be worth the drive!
Even so, getting there is a doddle, albeit more expensive than some other routes because, wherever you are travelling from Calais, Caen, Cherbourg or St Malo, then you really need to use the Autoroutes and put the toe down a bit, which could be a bad move as in the high season the French Police are waiting for you to just that. Stiff on the spot fines are issued if you are caught speeding, and whilst we are on that topic, the cops arn't always a visible presence lurking by the roadside; they can just as easily be waiting at the Péage and can check your average speed over the distance covered.
Crafty, crafty, but you can't argue your way out of that anyways up. In fact, in my humble experience as the editor of this site and a seasoned traveller in France I would advise you absolutely not to argue the point. Pay up and move on, otherwise they could "talk to you" all day or until they are fed up, and either case you have to shell out in the end., and that's on top of the Autoroute fees.
Le Cap d'Agde is quite rightly famous throughout Europe for being a holiday haven for Naturists and the naturist lifestyle, but apart from that it is also a well known camping holiday venue for people more comfortable wearing clothes. Great beaches, great shopping and the nightlife is ok too.
The southern Languedoc-Roussillon Mediterranean coastline running along the eastern edges of the Aude and Pyrenees-Orientales departments has miles of golden sandy beaches stretching from the mouth of the River Aude, down the length of the Golfe du Lion to the rugged cliffs of the Cote Vermeille at the Spanish border.
This is one of the areas favoured by the French people themselves, and little wonder because it's simply great for lazing on the beach and soaking up the sun, or sitting at a bistro table sipping from a cool glass of wine whilst the more active explore this most impressive coastline.
There is plenty of history for you to delve into in Languedoc, starting with the region's city of Roman heritage, Nimes. You can reach the Camargue nature reserve from there, with its famous wild horses and pink flamingos, and the Cevennes National Park easily, and in the area there are masses opportunities for canoeing, cycling, walking or sightseeing.
Getting there...by car:-
NB - When on Autoroutes make sure you stick to the maximum speed limits: 130 km/h (80mph); 110 km/h (68mph) in wet weather – the automatic radars will be watching…and also les Flicks (Police) in high season who love to dole out fixed penalty fines. Remember to budget for Autoroute tolls.
1) There are several routes really, depending on your choice of ferry crossing, but by far the shortest to the whole Languedoc region is from Calais (area) to meet with the Paris périphérique extérieur - which is the outer Paris ringroad. Paris will be signed shortly after you leave the boat/tunnel When on the périphérique don't forget that you need to head south (Sud) and always head for Orleans. Ignore any signs for Centre Ville because you will most certainly get lost!
Leave the périphérique and head for (and bypass) Orleans and head for Vierzon where you have a choice of road depending on where you intend to end up in Languedoc.
You could well take the A20 to Chateauroux, Limoges, Cahors, Montauban, Toulouse, Carcassonne to Narbonne and Perpignan areas - OR continue on the A71 and head for Clermont-Ferrand, Severac-le-Chateau to end up in the Sete, Agde areas - there is a naturist town at Cap d'Agde if you're interested.
2) Bypass Paris altogether: Leave Calais and take the A26 Autoroute down the WW1 battlefield route -St Omer (they produce an excellent lager there), Bethune, Arras, St Quentin, Reims and Troyes and Dijon of the mustard fame. Carry on past Chateauneuf, Macon, Lyon, Orange and onto the Languedoc coast. That route is very easy but remember to budget for Autoroute tolls.
3) From Caen You can take an overnight ferry to Caen) but Cherbourg users can opt for this route too. Head for Argentan, Alencon, Le Mans and Tours. From Tours you head south for Limoges, Cahors, Montauban, Toulouse, Carcassonne to Narbonne and Perpignan areas.
4) From St Malo (There is also an overnight ferry to St Malo) - Those of you landing at Cherbourg or Caen can still follow this route.
Leave St Malo and get onto the N 137 to Rennes where you meet the Rennes ringroad and follow signs for Nantes and/or Bordeaux. You are then on the N137 again which is a safe, fast dual carriageway which is free to just past Nantes, where you meet the Nantes périphérique at junction 37 following the signs for Bordeaux all the time until you get to your exit at junction 48.
Junction 48 takes you onto the free part of the E3 A83 autoroute, but as on the other routes listed here you will be paying tolls very soon. Head for and bypass Saintes on the A10 on your way to Bordeaux. You will join the Bordeaux périphérique at junction 1 and you need to drive east (Est) heading for Langon, Marmande, Toulouse and Narbonne to your chosen resort in the Languedoc
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