France: Languedoc-Roussillon
Published on 27. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
312 pages
978-1-80469-280-6 (ISBN)
Description
New from Bradt is France: Languedoc-Roussillon, which celebrates in intimate detail the Occitanie, a charming region full of easily accessible contrasts in southwest France. Three local residents share their extensive, in-depth knowledge of the area, covering both well-known attractions and off-the-beaten-path delights. Expertly researched and with exemplary attention to detail, engaging writing and great ideas blend to furnish the perfect travel companion.
From exploring Cathar castles to drifting down the Canal du Midi, from a bustling city break in vibrant Montpellier, Perpignan or Narbonne to an entrancing wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon offers ample destinations for anyone looking for a slick cosmopolitan adventure, with the endless delights of regional food, wine and culture thrown in liberally around every corner.
If slow travel, sustainable tourism and the call of the wild are more your scene, you'll find plenty to enchant you, from looking for wolves and bison, or going white-water rafting, to hiking along 'Grand Randonnee' routes through the mountains up to Mount Canigou at 2,784 m altitude. For tranquillity, wide-open spaces and dark skies, you can't beat Parc National des Cevennes, whose nearly 3,000 square kilometres stretch across the sparsely populated Lozere and Gard regions. An almost endless choice of beaches is yours for the taking along the Mediterranean coast, backed by one of France's richest wine regions, which provides opportunities to taste and discover a true French treasure.
Those so-minded can follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey on the Chemin de Stevenson, trace the Da Vinci Code trail, which celebrates locations associated with Dan Brown's novel, or visit Perpignan train station - deemed the "centre of the universe" by Salvador Dali. Roman history and architecture abound: the Pont du Gard aqueduct is France's most-visited ancient monument, the exceptional Maison Carree is a 1st-century BC temple, and Nimes boasts the best preserved of Europe's 70 remaining Roman amphitheatres. Or you can go boating or canoeing along the Canal du Midi, the world's oldest navigable canal. Whatever your interests, and however you travel, Bradt's new guide to France: Languedoc-Roussillon has you covered.
From exploring Cathar castles to drifting down the Canal du Midi, from a bustling city break in vibrant Montpellier, Perpignan or Narbonne to an entrancing wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon offers ample destinations for anyone looking for a slick cosmopolitan adventure, with the endless delights of regional food, wine and culture thrown in liberally around every corner.
If slow travel, sustainable tourism and the call of the wild are more your scene, you'll find plenty to enchant you, from looking for wolves and bison, or going white-water rafting, to hiking along 'Grand Randonnee' routes through the mountains up to Mount Canigou at 2,784 m altitude. For tranquillity, wide-open spaces and dark skies, you can't beat Parc National des Cevennes, whose nearly 3,000 square kilometres stretch across the sparsely populated Lozere and Gard regions. An almost endless choice of beaches is yours for the taking along the Mediterranean coast, backed by one of France's richest wine regions, which provides opportunities to taste and discover a true French treasure.
Those so-minded can follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey on the Chemin de Stevenson, trace the Da Vinci Code trail, which celebrates locations associated with Dan Brown's novel, or visit Perpignan train station - deemed the "centre of the universe" by Salvador Dali. Roman history and architecture abound: the Pont du Gard aqueduct is France's most-visited ancient monument, the exceptional Maison Carree is a 1st-century BC temple, and Nimes boasts the best preserved of Europe's 70 remaining Roman amphitheatres. Or you can go boating or canoeing along the Canal du Midi, the world's oldest navigable canal. Whatever your interests, and however you travel, Bradt's new guide to France: Languedoc-Roussillon has you covered.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Buckinghamshire
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 221 mm
Width: 137 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80469-280-6 (9781804692806)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls (facarospauls.com) have lived in Occitanie, southwest France, since 1989, and over the decades have uncovered all the ins and outs (and quirks) of the region. Their children went to school there, and they have even picked up the local twangy accent and know how to make cassoulet with the best of them. They've been to nearly all of the festivals and poked around every single Romanesque church at least once. After all these years, what they don't know about the region isn't worth knowing. The couple are veteran travel writers; Facaros' first guidebook was published in 1977. Alongside numerous subsequent guidebooks for Cadogan, they are the authors of four Bradt guides: Emilia-Romagna, Northern Greece, France: Languedoc-Roussillon and Gascony & The Pyrenees.
Jane Falkner settled in the Lot Valley in southwest France in 2020, having spent her early childhood growing up on Italy's Adriatic Coast, later travelling extensively through Europe by campervan and train. Much of her adulthood has been spent exploring France whenever the opportunity has arisen; speaking fluent French has enabled Falkner to indulge her curiosity for the myths, legends and folklore of the country. When not travelling along any waterway on offer by kayak or paddleboard, she can often be found poking around hidden corners of French towns, villages and ruins of all kinds. She is the updater of Bradt's guidebook France: Languedoc-Roussillon.
Jane Falkner settled in the Lot Valley in southwest France in 2020, having spent her early childhood growing up on Italy's Adriatic Coast, later travelling extensively through Europe by campervan and train. Much of her adulthood has been spent exploring France whenever the opportunity has arisen; speaking fluent French has enabled Falkner to indulge her curiosity for the myths, legends and folklore of the country. When not travelling along any waterway on offer by kayak or paddleboard, she can often be found poking around hidden corners of French towns, villages and ruins of all kinds. She is the updater of Bradt's guidebook France: Languedoc-Roussillon.
Content
Introduction
PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People and culture, Sport
Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, Travelling with a disability, LGBTQIA+ travellers, Travelling with children, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Festivals and annual events, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Outdoor actvities, Opening times, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively
PART 2 THE GUIDE
Chapter 3 The Gard
Nimes, North of Nimes: The Pont du Gard and Around, Uzes, The Cevennes Gardoises, Northeastern Gard, The West Bank of the Rhone, Villeneuve-les-Avignon, Beaucaire, The Petite Camargue, West of Nimes
Chapter 4 The Lozere
Mende, Parc National des Cevennes, Gorges du Tarn, Western and Northern Lozere: The Aubrac and La Margeride
Chapter 5 Montpellier and the Eastern Herault
Montpellier, East of Montpellier, Montpellier's Coast, North of Montpellier: The Garrigue, The Valley of the Herault: The Haut Pays d'Oc, The Herault Coast: Sete, The Bassin de Thau, Agde and Cap d'Agde, Pezenas
Chapter 6 Beziers and the Western Herault
Beziers, The Canal du Midi, North of the Canal: the Minervois, The Monts de L'Espinouse
Chapter 7 The Aude
Carcassonne, North of Carcassonne: The Montagne Noire, The Aude's Northwest Corner: The Lauragais, South of Carcassonne: The Limouxin and Quercorb, Th e Razes, Th e Corbieres, Narbonne, Narbonne's Coast
Chapter 8 Roussillon: the Pyrenees-Orientales
Perpignan, Northern Roussillon, Down the coast from Perpignan, Collioure and the Cote Vermeille, Up the Conflent Valley, The Cerdagne, The Vallespir
Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Glossary
Appendix 3 Further Information
Index
Index of advertisers
PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People and culture, Sport
Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, Travelling with a disability, LGBTQIA+ travellers, Travelling with children, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Festivals and annual events, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Outdoor actvities, Opening times, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively
PART 2 THE GUIDE
Chapter 3 The Gard
Nimes, North of Nimes: The Pont du Gard and Around, Uzes, The Cevennes Gardoises, Northeastern Gard, The West Bank of the Rhone, Villeneuve-les-Avignon, Beaucaire, The Petite Camargue, West of Nimes
Chapter 4 The Lozere
Mende, Parc National des Cevennes, Gorges du Tarn, Western and Northern Lozere: The Aubrac and La Margeride
Chapter 5 Montpellier and the Eastern Herault
Montpellier, East of Montpellier, Montpellier's Coast, North of Montpellier: The Garrigue, The Valley of the Herault: The Haut Pays d'Oc, The Herault Coast: Sete, The Bassin de Thau, Agde and Cap d'Agde, Pezenas
Chapter 6 Beziers and the Western Herault
Beziers, The Canal du Midi, North of the Canal: the Minervois, The Monts de L'Espinouse
Chapter 7 The Aude
Carcassonne, North of Carcassonne: The Montagne Noire, The Aude's Northwest Corner: The Lauragais, South of Carcassonne: The Limouxin and Quercorb, Th e Razes, Th e Corbieres, Narbonne, Narbonne's Coast
Chapter 8 Roussillon: the Pyrenees-Orientales
Perpignan, Northern Roussillon, Down the coast from Perpignan, Collioure and the Cote Vermeille, Up the Conflent Valley, The Cerdagne, The Vallespir
Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Glossary
Appendix 3 Further Information
Index
Index of advertisers