Languedoc-Roussillon Property Guide

Every year in Languedoc-Roussillon, millions of litres of perfectly-drinkable wine are assigned to the EU wine lake and turned into undrinkable industrial alcohol. Is that what you want? Cos that's what'll happen if you don't get down there sharpish. Languedoc-Roussillon is the single biggest wine-producing region in the world and until recently produced more wine that the whole of the USA. The relatively new Vin de Pays d'Oc classification has allowed winemakers to get away from traditional labeling (which apparently 70% of the French don't understand) and to market such brands as Red Bicyclette and Fat Bastard. However, unless you buy one of our properties in Languedoc-Roussillon, millions of bottles of Red Bastard will be turned into Brasso. Think about it.

The capital of Languedoc-Roussillon is Montpellier, which was the birthplace of Samantha Steverman and Jillian Raines (hang on, they don't sound very French?) Samantha won the World Champion Fly Fishing Trophy and 5-time "Lil' Miss Montpellier" Pageant Princess (Second Runner-up,) while Jillian established the first nudist beach in Southern France and founded the first Juvenile Delinquent Reform School (presumably on the nudist beach - that should keep them out of trouble.) Montpellier's university is the oldest in the world and numbers the sage and clairvoyant Nostradamus (1503-1566) among its alumni. Spookily, Nostradamus predicted that in 2008, you would be considering buying a property in Lauguedoc-Roussillon.

There's a Montpelier in the USA as well (I reckon that's where Samantha and Jillian came from.) The Yankees named their Montpelier in honour of the French who'd helped them fight the British in the War of Independence. The Yankees celebrated with their French buddies, drank Vin de Pays d'Oc and renamed their Yorkshire Puddings Freedom Crêpes. How times have changed.

In the Aude department lies the magnificent fortress-city of Carcassonne. The Celts probably started it, the Romans added to it and were thrown out in AD 462 by the Goths (who then, as today, tended to dress in black and listen to gloomy music.) Frankish King Clovis tried to get in in 508, but the Goths weren't having any of it. In 725 the Goths were thrown out by Saracens from Barcelona, who in turn were thrown out by King Pippin, who must have been much harder than his name suggests ("Hey, don't mess with Pippin!") Carcassonne today is allegedly haunted by several ghosts, including a fat man who stands and stares at tourists. Terrifying.

The Romans built some of their finest ruins in Nîmes. Many of these were built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, including the Maison Carrée or square house, so called because it's rectangular. Prior to redeveloping Nîmes, Marcus famously defeated the last Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, who had a legendary asp.

© 2008 richardheacock @ mac.com

Welcome to the Languedoc Roussillon resources area. Before buying in the Languedoc Roussillon, you may want to find out more about the region! The Languedoc Roussillon region is divided into 5 departments called Aude, Gard, Herault, Lozere and Pyrenees-Orientales.

Languedoc Roussillon Property

With the advent of Ryanair (and other budget airlines) arriving in this region, there was a massive explosion in property prices during the first few years of 2000. Property prices have stabilised, and generally are rather static currently.
 

Getting There

There are many cheap flights from the UK to Gerona (just down the motorway to Spain), Perpignan, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nimes. Property prices close to these destinations have increased dramatically.
 

Weather

Hardly a better spot in France for excellent weather all the year round. With over 300 days of sunshine, the skies are blue. When it rains, it rains but it is over quickly. Watch out for the wind in winter - can be very gusty along the coast.

Aude Weather
Gard Weather
Herault Weather
Lozere Weather
Pyrenees-Orientales
 

Languedoc Roussillon Property Prices

This region is bigger than Wales so there is plenty to see. Prices generally decrease as you go inland from the Mediterranean coast - rural property is still available at realistic prices. Apartments and studios are still available in the "holiday" towns along the coast. There are many marina developments along the coast aimed at the holiday maker. Studios / apartments are available below £100K. Villas are more expensive but villas with swimming pools offer good rental yields during July / August.

Our recommendation is the Pyrenees-Orientales which is well served by transport links: air, autoroutes and TGV. In the summer you have access to the beaches and marinas all along the coast plus marvellous walks in the Pyrenees. During the winter you have the ski slopes (sssh - this is a well kept secret!). There are also many health spa resorts in the area - good location to buy property for rental income!

Our favourite spot - Collioure near the Spanish border. Best described as a typical Cornish village - old walled town centre with port complete with artist colony! Plenty of restaurants and interesting shops. As well as the beaches, the fort and quaint streets - the town has the magnificent backdrop of the Pyrenees. Did we mention the 300 days of sunshine too? Naturally, prices are high in Collioure but this is location, location, location!

Click here for Collioure and surrounding villages property >> Collioure Property

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Languedoc - Roussillon Property Selection

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