Montpellier is the principal city of the region, with the seat of local government housed in an impressive new building. The city has the right mix of old and new. The old city contrasts with the new shopping centres of the Triangle and Polygone. The centre, Place de la Comedie, is pictured right)

The city is also well known for the outstanding new architecture of the Antigone, which reaches from the Place de Opéra - Comédie to the Regional building by the river.

The city of Béziers is well worth a visit. There is plenty to see, and the city has an abundance of cafes, bars and restaurants.
Stroll down the main Allées Paul Riquet, named after Béziers' famous engineer (photo of statue left) responsible for the construction of the Canal du Midi.

During summer months the bars and restaurants that line one side of the Allées Paul Riquet spill into the boulevard - photo right taken at the top of Allées. The allée is also full with the traditional Sunday flower market.

Originally Phoenician, and then an important Greek port, Cap d'Agde offers a variety of leisure activities. The Office de Tourisme talk of the 14 km of golden sandy beaches, each offering something different. Windsurfing, banana boat rides, pedalos, paragliding and all the normal seaside activities are available.

The marina, with its large bars and restaurants is popular all year around - photo right was taken in January.

Carcassonne is the second most visited city in France. It is a fairy-tale remnant of the Middle Ages. An intact walled city that is probably the highlight of Languedoc. Begun by the Gauls, then Romans, Visigoths and Franks, Carcassonne was a major fortress in South West France and controlled land stretching from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees. In the mid 1800’s it was restored by Violet le Duc (also responsible for renovating Notre Dame) and is today a perfect medieval walled city.

The Languedoc town of Nîmes still bears the mark of Rome, even taking its name from the god of Spring - Nemausus. The Romans established a colony here - Colonia Augusta Nemausus, at the time of Emperor Augusta.

There is an abundance of history. For example, the arena at Nîmes, which could hold up to 20,000 spectators. Built just before the Christian era, this was turned into a fortress around 5C, and later used to house people in a variety of buildings. It was cleared in the 19C and is now used to stage events such as bullfights and concerts.

Anyone staying in Languedoc soon realises how close the region is with Spain. And, near the French / Spanish border is the beautiful old fishing town of Collioure. The town manages to mix old and new, retaining the charms of the old port yet coping with the fact it is so popular with tourists. During the summer months the beach is the place to be.