Languedoc Guide

Advice

Anecdotes

Useful Links

Contact Us

The Haut-Languedoc, is the southern edge of the Massif Central, and faces toward the Mediterranean coast. It enjoys both Atlantic, and Mediterranean climatic influences.

While it is seemingly isolated from the large coastal plain, it is easy to reach through its numerous valleys .

Deep wounds were left by the Albigensian Crusade, and turned much of the population, who had taken refuge here, to Protestantism. At the time of the French Revolution, many priests resisted the advent of the new French Republic from the deep forests, as did the French freedom fighters during the second world war

The Parc naturel régional du Haut-Languedoc was created in 1973, and was the subject of a new law in 1999, which set the boundries, and incorporated 92 villages, and about 80000 inhabitants.

Its territory of 260 000 hectares, covers parts of both the Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions, and traverses the water course, and climate of both the Atlantic and Mediteranean.

The Parc changes radically from the coastal plain, with the imposing mountains of the Caroux, and the Espinouse rising to over 1,100 meters. Down in the valleys, cherry trees, and the last traces of vines cling to the steep hills, that man has tried to cultivate by building walled terraces.

Higher up, the terraced land is used to grow chestnut trees. On the plateaus, evergreen forests mingle with heath land.

Lauze (flat stones) and slate is used for roof covering in the hamlets, this gives an impression of greyness after the brightness of the brightly painted Mediterranean style houses.

   

The "Passa Pais" Footpath / Cycle Way -  High Languedoc

Access: The access points are numerous and are found all along the route
Duration: 18 hours on foot (in stages over several days or in portions) 5 h cycling
Distance: 60 km
Elevation: From 0 to 200 meters

Called "Passa Pais" , the green way of the Haut-Languedoc park crosses the watershed between Courniou-les-Caves (Hérault) and Labastide -Rouairoux (Tarn). It is a path that crosses from the Mediterranean climate of the Department of the Herault to the Atlantic climate of the Department of the Tarn.

From Mons-la-Trivalle to Mazamet, this 60 km long “green” path provides safety for walkers as well as cyclists, since it is closed to traffic. Shortly an extension will be added, from  Mons la Trivalle to Bédarieux with an additional 20 kilometers.

A walk of several kilometers, or a marathon, or just to get some air, this pathway runs alongside the mountains of  the Haut Languedoc. Discover the different landscapes of vineyards, forests, grasslands, and river, and includes tunnels and bridges designed by Eiffel.

Throughout its course, the "Passa Pais"  way of Haut-Languedoc is marked by points of tourist interest: Cave Devèze and the National Museum of caving in Courniou-les-Caves, the Museum of Pre-Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, Olargues the village, which holds the label "one of most beautiful villages of France" and Eiffel's bridge, the gorge of Heric at Mons la Trivalle, etc..

Gorges d'Heric

The side of the Espinouse mountain is cut deeply by the Héric Gorge.

The Gorge can be accessed from the small village of Mon la Travalle, and the beauty of the Gorge accounts for its popularity with day visitors.

At the entrance to the Gorge is a large car park, and a small buffet where it is possible to get meals, and drinks during the summer season.

No vehicles are allowed to enter the gorge, which rises alongside a fast flowing stream to the village of Heric, a distance of about 6kms.This is a land for backpackers, and rock climbers, and a playground for families wishing to take their picnics in unspoilt countryside, and swim in the numerous rock pools.
.: Mons La Trivalle, porte des Gorges d'Héric, coeur du Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc:.




ST PONS

Between Salvetat, and the coastal plain, is the lively town of St Pons. This was once the centre of the cloth industry in the area, and also well known for its marble quarries, but is perhaps better known now, for its Chestnut fair, held during the last weekend of October, and the Fete du Cochon (pig fair) held during the last weekend of February. St Pons is the gateway separating the cooler Atlantic weather from the warmer Mediterranean climate. The Cathedral, dating from the 12 century, but built on the site of an older Abbey, has an organ worthy of a visit.

St Pons is the administrative center for the "Parc Regional du Haut Languedoc"

Visitors to this area, will be struck by the total difference in the scenery, with large forested areas in comparison to the vines on the plain.
St Pons de thomieres, saint pons de thomiere


 

Textile museum - Labastide Rouairoux

A short distance from St Pons is the village of Labastide Rouairoux where you will find a textile museum full of knowledge and technique. The Midi Pyrenees has been famous since the Middle Ages for its textile industry, and today more than half of the regional textile businesses are installed in the Tarn. The economical activity of Labastide Rouairoux results from a long knowledge of weaving woolen fabrics that developed from the 16th century, along the valley of the
Thoré. The industrial revolution at the start of the 19th century revitalized the production of textiles and nearby Mazamet became its centre.

The collections of the museum demonstrate the techniques of wool production through all its stages. The visit is helped by a team of former workers from the textile industry of Labastide Rouairoux who enjoy passing on their their passion of the trade.

Textile museum
Rue de la Rive
81270 Labastide Rouairoux
Telephone: 0563980860
E-mail: musee.textile@cg81.fr


Opening hours
01/05/2012 au 30/06/2012 de 10:00 à 18:00
01/07/2012 au 31/08/2012 de 10:00 à 19:00
01/09/2012 au 31/10/2012 de 10:00 à 18:00
01/11/2012 au 20/12/2012 de 14:00 à 17:00
 Tourist information - Tarn

Salvetat

This is a village resembles more, that of a village in England or Germany than of the south of France. To reach Salvetat the road rises steeply from the Mediterranean plain, and passes through pine forests, and grazing land for cattle. The climate becomes cooler.

Salvetat was built high above two rivers, the Vebre and the Agout. Crossing the Agout is an 800 year old bridge that formed part of the pilgrim routes to Compostella in Spain.

Close by to Salvetat, are two large lakes, Lac de la Raviege, and Lac de Lauzas. These lakes are popular in the summer, as a place to escape the heat of the plain. They both have large leisure areas, and beaches, where it is possible to bathe safely, and participate in sailing, and water skiing. The scenery here is beautiful. Large areas of the 'Lac de la Raviege' are inaccessible except by water.
 

During the summer months, the fire fighting planes, known as Canadairs, often swoop across the lake to obtain water. On the approach of the planes, a siren sounds, and people involved in the various water sports, have to move to the sides of the lake, to allow the planes to fly low over its surface to scoop up water, before flying off.

Since about 1995, Salvetat has become nationally known for it’s bottled, natural sparkling drinking water.
Site officiel de l'Office du Tourisme - Bienvenue, Welcome



 

Lacaune

Close by Lac de Lauzas is the town of Lacaune, famous for its cooked, and smoked meat production. There are about 40 meat producers in the town. This came about as a result of the air quality that is influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic, and Mediteranean climates, and is low in ozone. An interesting place to visit, is the Maison de Charcuterie. An english explanation is provided, by means of a personal Walkman. A short distance from Lacaune is the town of Brassac. The town itself is not very interesting, but the bridge over the River Agout is very picturesque.
Official website of Lacaune-les-Bains