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Politicians in the twilight years of their political career like to
set up a memorial to themselves in order that the rest of us will not forget them when they pass on. Georges Frêche, born 9th July 1938, President
of the Regional council for the Languedoc, Mayor of Montpellier (1977-2004), Member of Parliament for the Hérault
(1973 to 1997) appears to have decided on his, and that is to change the name of
the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France to Septimanie. This is a name that sounds more like an illness than a place. He
has already changed the present insignia,
the Croix du Languedoc (Languedoc Cross), to that of
an insignificant emblem that has been identified as an embroidery pattern.
At a time when the Languedoc seems to be getting better known throughout
the world, when companies such as Marks & Spencer advertise that they
sell "white wine. Not just ordinary white wine, but Languedoc white wine"
Where can the justification be, in spending huge sums of money to change
something that aint broke?
His opponents criticize him of autocratic decisions and megalomania. In the
past I have often admired the way Montpellier changed for the better under
his Mayorship, but this time he has gone too far.
Keep LANGUEDOC alive, and
forget Georges Freche when he is dead!
Pendant
qu'ils vivent leurs dernières années les hommes politiques aiment créer
un monument dédié à leurs succès, pour qu' on ne les oublie pas
lors de leur décès. Il paraît que Georges Frêche
a déjà choisi le sien, c'est
à dire le changement du nom Languedoc-Roussillon
en Septimanie. Ça ressemble
plutôt au nom d'une maladie que d'un lieu. Il voudrait en plus
transformer la Croix Languedocienne actuelle en insigne insignifiant
dont on trouve des exemplaires en motif de broderie en vente à la
mercerie. Au moment précis où la renommée du Languedoc
devient de plus en plus connue à l'étranger, qu'une compagnie telle
que M & S en Royaumie Uni se vante de vendre du vin Chardonnay comme un
"Chardonnay du Languedoc" et pas un vin de n'importe où,
pourquoi Georges Frêche
veut-il dépenser des sommes énormes à changer le nom de
notre région? Ses adversaires le critiquent à cause de ses décisions
autocrates et de sa mégalomanie. Jusqu'à présent j'admire les
améliorations qui sont l' inspiration de Georges Frêche
depuis son installation
comme maire de la ville de Montpellier. Mais ce changement va
trop loin.
Gardons
le nom du LANGUEDOC et oublions Georges Frêche
après son décès.
The Languedoc-Roussillon
region of France comprises the departments of the Aude, Gard, Herault, Lozere and Pyrenees Orientales.
The region known as the Languedoc was incorporated into France during the 13th Century although it had existed as a political region long before that. Because of its language it continued to be administered largely independently for many years after its incorporation. Although now firmly a part of France there is still a strong feeling of being different, but none more so than in the department of the Pyrenees-Orientals, where there is a very strong feeling of being Catalan.
The Languedoc is a region of incomparable natural features, stretching from the Garonne to the Rhone.
For a long time the Languedoc felt over awed, under the influence of its
more affluent neighbour - Provence, but with increased interest in it's
better quality wines and tourism, not to mention the influx of new
residents since the inception of the European Community. The Languedoc
is now becoming one of the fastest growing regions of France, and full
of confidence.
In the north are the rounded green hills of the Auvergne. With the coming of snow this all changes and becomes a region frequented by cross-country skiers searching for peace and isolation.
Traveling south brings you to the deep valleys of the Tarn, before rising up again on to the plateau of the Larzac, a largely inhospitable and rocky landscape, devoid of water, cold in the winter but baked by the summer sun.
The Larzac leads east towards the Cevennes a region of rugged mountains and river gorges that hold raging torrents during times of rain. Many caves and underground rivers are to be found in the area. The slopes of the mountains are covered in Pine, beech and chestnut trees and is an area which until recently was inaccessible.
Before getting to the Mediterranean plain we pass through the Garrigues, limestone hills, burnt white with the sun, whose slopes are covered in lush aromatic plants such as thyme, rosemary and broom. There are often olive and almond trees and low French oak completes the vegetation. Sandwiched between the Garrigues and the Mediterranean coast with its long golden beaches is the Coastal Plain. Covered almost in its entirety by vines, it produces a third of all the wine in France.
This is a land popular with hunters. Talk of the garrigue (the natural low undergrowth of the midi) and we think of the one thing most visitors associate with the heat of the summer - les Cigales (cicadas).
These insects live in larvae form 40cm below ground for 4 years and then fight their way to the surface when the ground warms. At this stage they are at their most vulnerable. After hatching they can be seen clinging to the bark of trees or walls, to dry from their initial pale green colour, to eventual dark brown. Their ear splitting call is the distinctive sound of the South during the summer months. After four or five weeks of life they die, but not before laying about 400 eggs.
The area of Garrigue has reduced over the years because of cultivation, but there still remain several large unspoilt areas where the scent of the gorse and natural herbs such as Rosemary, Thyme and Fennel can at times be almost overpowering.
Birds and butterflies of various species find this sort of terrain particularly inviting. Despite the story that most birds passing over the Mediterranean countries have been eradicated by shooting, they are still plentiful in the Languedoc, and it is still possible to see eagles soaring overhead.
Other common birds are swifts, black redstarts who give a red flash of their tail when they take off in flight, the multi coloured bee-eaters, hoopoes with their large crest, owls and often partridges, seen running in the undergrowth.
Foxes are comparatively rare, but rabbits and hares are frequently visible. Snakes are seen frequently, but fortunately they are not poisonous to man.
Lizards are common but look out for the less frequently seen large green lizard.
The Department of Herault in the Languedoc region, takes its name from one of the two major rivers that pass through it, the second being the Orb. The Departments of the Gard to the east, the Aveyron to the North, the Aude and the Pyrenees to the South West with the Mediterranean Sea form its boundary.
The Herault has two characteristic features - the coastal plain, flat and covered in vines, and the mountainous north, famous for cherries and chestnuts. Since the 1960s, because of Government assistance, the Department has seen many changes along the coastal strip, but in many ways the interior has remained the same for the past two centuries.
The climate has long been famous for its hot summers and mild winters, but equally well known are its winds. The Tramontane, blowing from the land, and the Marin blowing in off the sea.
In summer the Tramontane brings clear blue skies and the warmth of the sun, whilst in the winter it brings the cold air from the North. The Marin is warm throughout the year but brings humidity and sea mist, that can be dense on the coastal plain.
The Department is a vast mixture of changes in landscape, from the golden sands of Valras, Agde, Palavas and La Grand Motte via the fertile plain to the Cevennes Mountains behind.
The two extinct volcanoes of Agde and Sete are two obvious signs that this land has seen many geological changes that have made it one of the most interesting and varied areas in France.
Continuing inland we find a mixture of Garrigue and vines, before arriving at the valleys and gorges of the Cevennes, with their many lakes, pine forests, and grazing land.
The vines form an important part of the ecology, and can produce some surprising and interesting aspects to the eye, especially during the autumn when the leaves are changing colour. The golds and reds are spectacular. Amongst the vines you will see olive, peach and apricot trees.
Olives were an important crop, with several oil mills in the area. There remain just
two oil cooperatives, one in Clermont l’Herault, and the other in Bize. Planting fruit trees was a practical thing to do. It not only provided fruit for the family, but also provided shade for the vignerons during his labours under the sun.
Stretching along the coast like a string of pearls are the salt-water lakes known as etangs. These lakes were formed by silt being washed down the Rhone, and then deposited along the Languedoc coast by the tide. These lakes have formed their own economy in fishing and tourism.
To the southwest lie the Corbiere hills that connect the Pyrenees through the Montagne Noire and the Monts de l’Espinouse to the Cevennes, thus forming a semi circle separating the Atlantic from the Mediterranean climate.
The Corbieres are lushly vegetated limestone hills with deep gorges and large areas of vines, that produce some very good red wines.
The Pyrenees form a natural frontier between France and Spain. These are very high and rugged mountains with many long box valleys on their slopes that are cut off in the winter months. This has resulted in the survival of local customs and ways of life, as if each valley were miniature countries of their own.
The Pyrenees rise from the Mediterranean and continue past Canigou (alt 2784m) to the high mountains that form the independent State of Andorra. On the French side of the Pyrenees is the Department of Roussillon, a region that could easily be confused by the visitor as being Spanish. The Catalan flag flies here as often as the French Tricolor, and during local fetes the Catalan dance called the Sardanya is performed. Because of its mild climate and fertile soil this is an area producing large amounts of fruit, potatoes and salad.
The coast of the Roussillon is unlike that of the flat but sandy Herault, with rocky coves and high cliffs.
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