Spring, summer and autumn are all great times to explore the outdoor wonders of Southern France, and few places have as much to offer in terms of outdoor pursuits and natural heritage as the region of Languedoc.
Despite being a relatively small area, Languedoc is blessed with everything from beautiful beaches and spectacular mountains to some more unusual geographical features such as red sandstone land. It’s the perfect mix for a trip into the wild.
Bring your tent and hire a car when you arrive in Montpellier or Beziers Cap d’Agde, and get ready to visit some of the Languedoc’s most stunning locations.
Haut Languedoc Natural Regional Park
We’re diving in head first with and starting the trip in Haut Languedoc Natural Regional Park. With its remarkable viewpoints, this pristine natural park is a highlight not to be missed by any nature lover. One of France’s many voie vertes (a network of pedestrian and cyclist-only route, separate from the roads) passes through here and offers an easy route to follow either by bike or on foot while giving you some spectacular views of the park’s geological features.
The section from Courniou to Saint Etienne d’Albagnan is especially interesting with several sights worth visiting en route, including a museum dedicated to the sport of potholing in Corniou, the cave in Devèze, which you can enter with a guide, as well as several picturesque bridges along the way.
Where to stay in Haut Languedoc Natural Regional Park
In the area, you’re spoiled for choice of campsites with multiple options within the park’s limits: Les Cerisiers du Jaur in Saint Pons de Thomieres, Camping des Cepes in La Salvetat sur Agout and Lestap in Albine.
Béziers
Moving on to Béziers, the largest town on this trip and among the oldest in all of Europe, its history goes all the way back to 575BC. Despite being a city, and presenting everything you’d expect in terms of old buildings, ruins, history and art museums, Béziers also has plenty to offer in terms of outdoor activities.
Rent a bike and take yourself on a bike tour of the town to get oriented with its landmarks: the Cathedral of Saint-Nazaire, the Fonserannes Locks and the market, Les Halles. If you don’t feel up to pedaling, taking a cruise along the canal is another popular way to see something of the town and its surroundings.
Where to stay in Béziers
The small and peaceful campsite with space for just 25 tents, Domain de Clairac, is the ideal place to stay while visiting Béziers. It is pet-friendly, has a children’s play area and also sells produce from its attached farm if you wish to cook for yourself.
Cap d’Agde
Drive down to the coast through the town of Agde to get to the stunning Cap d’Agde, which will afford you views down the Languedoc coast and all the way to the Spanish border. Once there, don’t miss the chance to see some of the local wildlife at the Réserve Naturelle du Bagnas, a beautiful nature reserve just a few kilometres down the coast that is home to over 250 species of native and migratory birds including several kinds of ducks, flamingoes and herons. Unfortunately, it’s not open to the public on weekends, so make sure to time your visit accordingly.
Where to stay in Cap d’Agde
The camping possibilities near Agde are numerous: for beach access (including a nudist beach), try the expansive Centre Naturiste Rene Oltra with multiple facilities as well as plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained; the Fleurs Agde campsite combines many facilities of an upscale campsite with its own waterpark; and the campsite Mer et Soleil organizes various outdoor activities such as horseriding, canoeing and kayaking and has its very own heated pool, sauna and hammam.
Sète
Next, drive up the isthmus separating the Etang du Thau from the Mediterranean to visit the beautiful port city of Sète. With its unique position built around a hill on a half-island, Sète offers visitors the chance to try out various water sports in either the open sea to the south or the stiller waters of the inland lagoon to the north.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try your hand at jet skiing or scuba diving. If you’re not quite ready to jump head first into the water, the hill the town is built on is a great one to hike: it’s steep and takes about one hour to summit, but the views once you reach the top are worth it.
Where to stay in Sète
Right on the sea, the large campsite Le Castellas in Sète is a pet-friendly site with beach access, its own water park, games room, bar and restaurant.
Salagou Lake
Turn inland for the next stop less than an hour away: a man-made lake dating from the 1960s and the surrounding countryside, which has been protected from urban development. Here you can enjoy multiple outdoor activities in a beautiful landscape of water, hills, vineyards and quaint villages.
Mountain biking through the unique red sandstone land and canyons is a popular option, with rental outlets right on the lake. Hiking is another great way to get see the area, with many well-marked circular and one-way routes, you can easily follow with just a simple map.
While in the area, take a side trip to the medieval village of Mourèze, perched on the edge of a cliff from which you can get some spectacular views of the valley. The region is also known for some of its local produce – in particular, the honey, olives and wine which are all worth trying.
Where to stay near Salagou Lake
There are several campsites dotted around the lake: Camping le Salagou is the main one with all the regular facilities you’d expect of a modern campsite in a convenient location, but Camping les Vailhes is another good option if you’d like something a bit more secluded. At both, you can easily organize activities on and around the lake.
Cévennes National Park
From the lake, this diverse national park is just over a two-hour drive further inland through small villages and some stunning landscapes, as you climb to almost 1000 meters above sea level. Comprised of exposed plateaus, sheer gorges and tiny, traditional villages typical of rural France, this national park is the perfect place to experience some of the best landscapes in Southern France.
Head first to Florac, the site of the main information point in the park and the town with the most developed tourist infrastructure. From here, you can organise canoeing trips on the river Tarn as well as take some of the less difficult circular hikes through the park.
For something more challenging, go to the southern part of the park to summit Saint Loup, one of the most recognizable peaks in the region. Though it is just 658 meters high, it is a worthwhile climb for the view and the fact that at the top, you can explore the dilapidated chapel and watchtower that have been long abandoned.
Where to stay in Cévennes National Park
For campsites, you have multiple choices just in Florac and many more in the surrounding area. The eco-friendly site Camping le Pont du Tarn stands out for its location just north of the town and close to the river, its array of evening activities and entertainment, restaurant and pet-friendliness.
Nîmes Arena
Finally, head in the direction of the coast and stop by the city of Nîmes, if for no other reason than to see the impressive elliptical Roman Arena. One of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in all of France, this masterful piece of engineering was originally constructed in AD70 and the shows put on there would draw crowds from all around the local area. In the 19th century, it was remodeled and used as a bullring, but nowadays is mostly used for music events and historical reenactments.
Where to stay in Nîmes
For your last night’s camping, the site Domaine la Bastide just to the south of town is an excellent option. Not enormous, but with its own waterpark and multiple indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a children’s playground and full restaurant, it’s a pleasant place to finish up your road trip before flying out of Montpellier.
