A Jewel In France: Montpellier In Languedoc Roussillon Region Of France (Travel To France)

A Jewel In France: Montpellier In Languedoc Roussillon Region Of France

Montpellier and its surrounding region of Languedoc-Roussillon are enjoying a resurgence and prominence in recent decades after its long decline culminating in the near destruction of its wine industry in the late 19th century. Montpellier is a young city with 70,000 students attending its five universities and professional schools and the average age of a typical Montpellierian is 34. It adds 300 new residents per month who seek out jobs, affordable housing and its perpetually sunny warm Mediterranean climate, which gives this region 270 days of sunshine annually.
Since the 1980’s, under the leadership of Mayor Georges Frêche, Montpellier’s infrastructure of tram lines and newly built hotels and restaurants have attracted foreign tourists to the area. Chefs who have had international training and are in tune with the latest gastronomic trends have settled here and created a renewed interest in the local cuisine of the region. The wine region of Languedoc-Roussillon has been revitalized by the expertise of wine growers coming into the area and creating quality wines that can stand up to the quality of other wine-growing areas without the attendant price.
A trip to Montpellier need not be confined to the city itself. The towns of Béziers, Narbonne and Carcassonne offer an insight into the tolerant but fiercely independent of the people of Languedoc-Roussillon. Its linguistic heritage of Occitane and Catalan gave vernacular languages a prominence during the Middle Ages with troubadour songs committed to paper. Languedoc-Roussillon offers a wide variety of activities beyond sightseeing and shopping: there are cooking and photography classes, trips to the beaches and the wildlife preserves as well as seeing the grand chateaux in the countryside. Montpellier and Languedoc-Roussillon remain the best introduction to southern French culture and life.
A preview of the book:

• The Best Sights to See in Montpellier


• Best Hotels to Stay in Montpellier


• The Wines of Languedoc-Roussillon


• Travelling To And Around Montpellier


• The History and Culture of Languedoc Roussillon


• What to do in Montpellier and Languedoc-Roussillon


• Beaches and Countryside Excursions around Montpellier