Languedoc-Roussillon: transition zone between France and Spain. Sightseeing in Languedoc-Roussillon - what to see. A complete guide to iconic places The most beautiful places in languedoc rossignol
The Languedoc-Roussillon region is considered the main center of the country's winemaking. Lush vineyards and wineries can be seen everywhere here, and in every town in the province there are certainly cozy restaurants where you can taste best drinks. In addition to gastronomic attractions, the province has preserved many historical sites, and the amazing beauty of nature will impress any traveler.
The capital of the province of Languedoc is Toulouse - a beautiful old city that carefully preserves the monuments of medieval architecture. In the historic center of the city is the beautiful church of Saint-Georges, as well as the town hall building and the Capitol. The best place for hiking is the Midi Canal embankment, and nature lovers should definitely visit the local botanical garden. In the vicinity of Toulouse there are also many remarkable towns and settlements: Albi, Cord and Caster - each of them has interesting museums and a lot of cultural institutions.
No less remarkable is the city of Nimes, whose main attraction is the Roman amphitheater Les Arenes. The building is one of the ten best monuments of the Roman Empire in the world. Among other historical monuments of Nimes, it is worth noting the arch of Augustus, the towers of Magne and the temple of Diana, and the Museum of Old Nimes is considered the most attractive cultural institution. Copyright www.site
The city of Montpellier will appeal not only to fans of excursions, but also to those who expect to devote a lot of time to shopping. Halles Castellane is a large-scale market complex offering a wide variety of goods, and a few steps from it is a beautiful square and the Palace of Aragon, a magnificent architectural monument of the 13th century.
The capital of the province of Roussillon is the city of Perpignan, which will also enchant lovers of hiking and excursions. You should definitely visit the miniature Le Castillet Fort and see the priceless exhibits in the Museum of Catalan Culture, stroll along the Place de la Loge and appreciate the beauty of the Saint-Jean Cathedral. The Romani and Magrebian quarters are home to the bulk of cafes, restaurants and shops. Next to everyone big city there are certainly small settlements and villages that are also full of charm and boast unique sights.
One of the most interesting and unusual resorts in the region is the historic town of Gruissan. It was founded hundreds of years ago at the foot of an extinct volcano. Today, the resort attracts its guests with miniature boarding houses and villas located on the mountain slopes. Most of them are focused on a relaxing family vacation, and in the coastal zone of the resort there are large modern hotels with a large territory and developed infrastructure. Gruissan is a great holiday destination for fans of water sports, there are first-class yacht clubs, diving centers, sailing centers and other sports complexes.
Fans beach holiday and scenic walks, La Grande Motte is a popular resort. Its main advantage is its spacious beaches with fine soft sand, and a very beautiful hilly area begins next to the coast. There are many hiking trails here. During walks, you can climb the tops of the hills and admire the marvelous landscapes, as well as see the lakes located in this area.
The historical town of Leucate-Barcaré is distinguished by its unique charm. It is located in a very beautiful and quiet harbor. On the territory of the city, beautiful historical villas of various periods have been preserved. Many of them today house cozy hotels, restaurants, shops and souvenir shops. This charming town with a measured pace of life is very popular with couples and romantic natures, here you can fully feel the peculiarities of the national charm of the region.
The region is famous for its amazing national reserves, the largest and most famous among them is the Camargue. A significant part of its territory is covered by swampy terrain, which has become an ideal habitat for rare species of birds. During excursions around the reserve, you can admire pink flamingos and see real wild horses in their natural habitat.
Carcassonne is one of the most interesting fortresses in Europe. During the Gallo-Roman period, its double walls were designed to protect the inhabitants of the city from enemy raids. Subsequently, the new owners of the fortress erected 52 guard towers along the entire perimeter of the walls.
The current appearance of the fortress of Carcassonne is the result of a free reconstruction in 1997. The fortress is a museum and is protected by the state. Entrance fee (about 9 euros).
To the west of the fortress is the modern city of Carcassonne, where more than 45 thousand people live. The city has preserved a large number of old houses, bringing their own medieval flavor to the general appearance of Carcassonne. The city sells many different themed souvenirs.
lower town
In the southern part of France is amazing beautiful city Carcassonne. The city is divided into two completely different parts: the Upper Town and the Lower Town, also known as the Bastide.
The lower city stretches along the banks of the Aude, and was previously surrounded by ramparts, and now it is a boulevard ring, 3 meters long. Bastide consists of numerous residential and administrative buildings. The buildings are located in the form of a regular hexagon, the corners of which are decorated with high medieval bastions. All the streets of the Lower City intersect at one, central point - Carnot Square. Most of the streets are for pedestrians only.
The main, frequently visited places by tourists include the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and the Church of St. Vincent and the Carmelites, which also adorn the Bastide.
The lower city of Carcassonne is distinguished by ancient buildings and structures, so it is protected by the state as a historical monument.
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Languedoc Canal
Languedoc Canal, Canal South, Canal du Midi - all these are the names of the same waterway, which is a real masterpiece of engineering. Laid in the 17th century and connecting the Atlantic with the Mediterranean Sea, the 240-kilometer Canal du Midi continues to amaze the imagination today. The construction of the canal lasted for 14 years, 15,000 workers worked on its construction. With the completion of construction in 1681, the rapid development of trade began in Languedoc.
The number of different structures on the canal includes 328 objects, including locks, bridges, dams and even one tunnel 173 meters long, laid under the hill.
Thanks to a system of locks, of which there are more than a hundred on the Canal du Midi, the canal rises and falls. The total height difference is 190 meters.
The Museum of the Inquisition is located in the medieval city of Carcassonne, located in the south of France.
The museum was created on the site where in the Middle Ages the Inquisition held a trial of the Cathars, who were considered heretics.
The Museum of the Inquisition recalls the times when heretics were burned at the stake and subjected to various tortures. In the museum you can see the instruments of torture and punishment used by the inquisitors: garrote, chastity belt, rack, guillotines and the long-known electric chair.
University of Montpellier
The University of Montpellier is one of the oldest in France. In the Middle Ages, he became famous throughout the world, thanks to his advanced discoveries in the field of medicine. Today, the university includes three large museums - the Museum of Anatomy, "Atzher" and the Museum of Pharmacy. The university library is a real treasure - over one hundred thousand thematic books and 900 manuscripts are collected here.
The founding date of the University of Montpellier is considered to be the 1220th year. Then Cardinal Conrad managed to get approval from Pope Honorius III to establish a medical school. This was a turning point in the development of the school, because patronage from such influential person meant an absolute monopoly on the education and practice of medicine.
The most famous graduates of the university are Francois Rabelais and Nostradamus.
Gar bridge
The Gar Bridge is included in the list of UNESCO World Historical and Cultural Heritage Sites. It was built to provide water to the city of Nimes on the orders of Marcus Agrippa, who was the son-in-law of the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus. The bridge was built without the use of lime and was part of a 50-kilometer-long water supply system. The aqueduct has three tiers. There are six arches in the lowest tier, eleven in the second, and thirty-five in the top. The width of the arches decreases as you approach the shore. Shortly after the fall of the Great Roman Empire, the aqueduct ceased to function, but despite this, the aqueduct itself was used as a bridge for wagons for a long time. Part of the pillars were hollowed out to allow the passage of large vehicles, which created a threat of collapse of the entire structure. For this reason, in 1747, a new bridge was erected nearby, corresponding technical requirements that time, and traffic on the Pont du Gard gradually ceased. By order of Napoleon IIII, the ancient monument was restored.
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Jewish bath
Montpellier is mentioned in documents as early as the end of the 1st century AD. The legacy of the rich history of the city is recorded in monuments that have survived to this day. One of them is an old mikveh, or ritual Jewish bath of the 13th century, a kind of memory of the once influential local Jewish community.
The pool, or bath for ritual Jewish ablutions, is built of light limestone and is one of the best-preserved such ancient structures in the world. As a historical monument, the mikvah was opened in 1985. And today it is filled with clear water and is ready to serve its intended purpose. However, you can only get inside with a guide. Archaeological excavations are still being carried out around.
The most popular attractions in Languedoc-Roussillon with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of Languedoc-Roussillon on our website.
More attractions in Languedoc-Roussillon
Having been in Languedoc, tourists note its attractive power. This is the oldest region of viticulture, and the natural conditions are favorable for growing sunny bunches. The mild climate contributes to the increase in the sugar content of the berries.
Languedoc wine is admired by people all over the world. The unique properties of the soil give the drink a special taste. He won universal recognition, they don’t drink it - they eat it, experiencing great pleasure. The city and its surroundings are the best places for hiking during the high summer season.
Road from Paris
Languedoc-Roussillon (France) enjoys great attention of residents and visitors of the city. It is located in the south of the country, surrounded by mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Acquaintance with historical area begins with the study of 2 provinces that are easy to find on the map of France - the Southern Pyrenees and Languedoc.
Tourists are interested in the cities of Toulouse and Mandelieu. The Paris-Languedoc route is especially popular with tourists. Getting to the capital is easy: flights are operated by Air France. The aircraft departs daily from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Then the tourists continue their journey by tram or taxi.
The Languedoc Canal is a waterway connecting the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. For residents and guests of the French land, the most convenient route starts near the city of Beziers and ends near unique waterfalls.
Expert opinion
Knyazeva Victoria
Guide to Paris and France
Ask an expertDuring the journey, dams, poplars, bridges and dams float by. From a height of 190 m, a magnificent view opens up. Tourists have long chosen the South Canal in Languedoc-Roussillon for recreation - sights are found at every step, and locals acquaint guests with folk traditions.
Canal du Midi (South) is a real work of art, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chateau d'If - home of the Count of Monte Cristo
In the Cevennes and on the coast
The plateaus near the Alps belong to a region dominated by medium-high uplands and sports tourism. French villages are located along the massive ridge. The eastern outskirts of the Massif Central (Cevennes) is the center of gliding.
The highest peak of the mountains is Finel Peak, located at an altitude of 1699 m above sea level.. The Roussillon region (France, Languedoc) is interesting for the tourist route laid between the industrial city of Anduz and the mountain range. At its foot is a Japanese-style garden. Travelers are fascinated by the magnificent landscapes that can be seen in the photo in the guidebook.
The coastal area is one of the most picturesque places. Tourists are pleased with the appearance of the resort. Guests of the city combine many hours of walking with swimming in the sea and sightseeing, enjoying fine wines. Comfortable hotels are at guests' disposal.
The Tarn Gorge is located in the Koss Mountains. From here you have a magnificent view of the turbulent river. Fresh wind blows in numerous caves. Their inspection allows you to get an indelible impression associated with the grandeur and impregnability of the harsh bulks. In the ruins of Castelbu Castle there is an exposition dedicated to the Templars. Tourists can capture the most beautiful gorge in the photo.
Presence of antiquity
Man Tower (Tour Magne)
The pride of Languedoc is the Tour de Magne tower, towering on an octagonal plinth. The second tier is decorated in the best traditions of architecture. After reconstruction, various exhibitions are held here. The interior of the room combines the ratio of secular and spiritual in the Gothic culture.
amiens cathedral
Lake Airol attracts the attention of travelers. Near the shore you can find small crabs, shrimps, clams, mussels. Stay near the reservoir ends with traditional fishing. Most of the lake has been turned into a kind of nature reserve, and in the north there are salt marshes.
If you look at the photo Cathedral Saint Nazarius, then you can see an impressive and massive building, made in the Gothic style. The square tower 48 m high looks unusually impressive. The largest bell testifies to the cult purpose of the building.
Lake Airol
Cathedral of St. Nazarius
Visiting Dionysus
The ancient region of French winemaking is located along the Mediterranean coast. Natural conditions are favorable for growing amber clusters. Wine series "Coteaux du Languedoc" are produced in the territory, which includes 260 communities. To create first-class drinks, Syrah, Mourvedre, Grepach varieties are used.
Red dry wine has high qualities and unique aroma. Guests of the city get acquainted with the areas where the best grape varieties are grown: Fitou, Minervois, Côtes du Roussillon. Winemaking is developed in the Corbière region of the Aude department. Excursions are organized for guests of the city, allowing them to get acquainted with the plantations of amber berries.
Red dry wine has a deep pink color and is stored for a long time. It is in demand among residents of France and tourists who come to rest. White wine contains valuable trace elements and antioxidants, so it is beneficial to health.
The cellars of the town of Frontignan are filled with a magnificent sunny drink. The ancient grape variety was brought to France in 1204. Specialists are expanding the area under crops, and Languedoc is the best wine-growing region in France. The pride of the creators of the aromatic drink is Muscat, which is tasted from special wine glasses. Tourists get acquainted with the technology of growing crops, the rules for serving a drink to the table. Red dry wine has an amazing aroma and unique taste.
Usse Castle, France
Favorite vacation spots for tourists
It is a kind of socio-cultural core from which the development of the country proceeded. This is a fertile region that stretches from the delta of the Rhone River to the border with the sultry one. 300 sunny days a year, gorgeous beaches, secluded lagoons and ancient cities protected by UNESCO as the most valuable cultural heritage have made the Languedoc-Roussillon in France a great place to relax and provide an almost uninterrupted flow of tourists from different countries.
Resorts of Languedoc
Favorable climatic and natural conditions of the coast served as the starting point for the formation of a network of comfortable resorts with developed infrastructure.
Attractions Languedoc-Roussillon
A region with such a rich historical past is remarkable in itself. So, in its capital, Montpellier, the historical center has been perfectly preserved to our times, the architecture and cultural traditions of which deserve unconditional attention. But the most popular objects among tourists were and remain the castles of Languedoc, the description of which is worth dwelling on in more detail.
Peyrepertuz Castle - the ruins of a Qatari fortress, located on an 800-meter sheer cliff of the Pyrenean mountain system. It consists of two citadels - upper and lower, connected by a staircase. The construction of the castle began in the 11th century and since then it has become a reliable strategic object, which lost its importance only in the 17th century. In 1820, it was transferred to the state, later included in the number of historical monuments. Now it is an object actively visited by tourists.
Aguilar Castle is the center of the fortification concept of the Middle Ages. The castle was surrounded by two monumental walls with loopholes, which provided security for the fortress. It was first mentioned in historical documents in 1021. It lost its relevance as a defensive structure in 1659 with the signing of a truce between France and Spain.
Chateau de Luneville is a palace and park ensemble, which is a “little Versailles”, which appeared in 1706 by order of Duke Leopold of Lorraine.
Castle De Florac - built in the XIII century and has changed many owners throughout its existence. After the end of the religious wars, it was rebuilt, during the revolution it was used to store and sell salt. In 1976 it was restored and became part of the Sevena National Park.
The Languedoc is more of an idea than a real geographical feature. The modern region occupies only a part of those lands where once dominated occitanesky, or Provençal, the language. Name Occitan comes from french languaged"
oc- language "os", where os - Southern Gallo-Latin counterpart of French oui("Yes"). Occitania stretched from Bordeaux and Lyon south to Spain and northeast to Italy.
The heart of the region today is the Bas-Languedoc, a coastal plain and dry, rocky, vine-covered hills between Carcassonne and Nîmes. This is where the political backbone of the Occitan movement demanding recognition of their linguistic and cultural identity lies. Much of the appeal of this movement is caused by a sense of indignation at the political dominance of distant and alien Paris, aggravated by the traditional poverty of the Languedoc. Characteristic of recent times is the determination of Paris to pull the province into the modern world, using a large-scale development of tourism and a radical transformation of cheap winemaking. But in the vague collective memory of the people, these intentions are mixed with the brutal persecution of the Huguenots (Protestants) around 1700, the massacre of the Cathars in the 13th century. and the subsequent destruction of the vibrant Occitan-based troubadour tradition {
languaged"
oc).
It was hostility to Paris that drove the predominantly rural and conservative population to traditionally vote for the left, at least until the 2002 elections, which showed widespread support for Le Pen's rising National Front. And while the sense of Occitan identity in the region remains strong, Occitan, as a spoken or literary language not widespread, despite the popularity of university language courses and the opening primary schools with instruction in Occitan.
Toulouse(Toulouse), the cultural capital of the Languedoc, although considered in this chapter, lies outside the region, but it deserves to be among the
most interesting places. Among them - significant areas of magnificent mountain landscapes and river gorges from the foot Sevennes(Cevennes) in the east to the mountains Montagne Noire(Montagne Noire) and corbière(Corbieres) in the west. These are also wonderful examples of church architecture in Albi (Albi) and Saint-Guillaume-les- Deser(St-Guilhem-le-Desert), medieval city centers Cord(Cordes) and Carcassonne(Carcassonne) and unforgettable romantic cathar castles on South. Nimes(Nimes) is known for the ruins of Roman times, occupying a significant area. There are also long stretches of beaches where, far from the main resorts, you can still pick up a kilometer or a couple of them for yourself.
HISTORY OF LANGUEDOC RUSSIILLON
The Languedoc lands are bounded by two large French rivers - the Garonne in the west and the Rhone in the east. Many political entities and administrative units have been located on the territory of the Languedoc throughout its foreseeable history. In chronological order it looks like this:
118 BC - Gaul of Narbonne.
V century AD - VIII century - Septimania, Gothia.
VI century (for the Mediterranean part of the VIII century) - the domination of the Franks.
Since the tenth century - the possession of the counts of Toulouse.
Since 1271 - the territory of the French kingdom.
Since 1791 - the departments of Hérault, Gard, Aude, Loser, Tarn.
Our time - the regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrenees.
In the VI century BC (Iron Age), Iberian tribes settled on the territory of Languedoc, who built Enserun, the first fortified settlement on a small hill (8 km west of Beziers).
In the III century BC, the territories located near the Iberians were occupied by the Celtic tribe (according to other sources, a confederation of tribes) Volki. Enserun was destroyed. However, later, under the Romans, it revived for a short time, but all the same, by the end of the 1st century AD, it finally died out.
The wolves were subdivided into Tektosag (that is, looking for a roof) and Arekomian. The Tektosag Volci settled in the west and founded Toulouse. The Arecomian wolves began to live to the east, Nemausus (later - Nimes) became their capital.
In the southern part of the region, the tribes inhabiting the Languedoc were in contact with the Greeks. On the coast, they founded the colony of Massalia (Marseille) in 600 BC, and in 550 - Agde, located closer to Languedoc (from the Greek "Agate Tyche" - "beautiful fate").
Roman period - 2nd century BC - 5th century AD
The Romans came to the territory of Languedoc in 125-121 BC. The legions of Domitian, led by Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Fabius Maximus Allobrogius, annexed the lands to the Roman Empire and called them Narbonne Gaul (after the city of Narbonne, which became the main fortified point, since it was on the road leading from Rome to Tarragona).
The territory of Narbonne Gaul stretched from the Mediterranean coast to the Cevennes mountains, it also included the Rhone basin. In the southwestern part, where the chain of the Cevennes mountains was interrupted, the Romans moved further from the coast and occupied the territory of the western Languedoc with the city of Toulouse. The upper Languedoc lying behind the Cévennes did not enter the zone of Roman influence. Nabron Gaul was otherwise called simply "provincia", it was from this word that the name Provence came from - it was applied to the territory that bordered Languedoc in the east.
In 58-49 BC, the post of proconsul of Narbonne Gaul was occupied by Julius Caesar. It was from here that he waged the war against the Gauls, his “Notes on the Gallic War” contain a lot of information about the Celtic tribes who lived in the territory of Languedoc before the arrival of the Romans. Another important source for Languedoc history in the pre-Roman and Roman periods is the writings of the Roman writer and polymath Pliny the Elder.
Narbonne became a very important transport hub - the Narbonne-Toulouse-Bordeaux and Rome-Spain roads crossed here.
Transalpine Gaul
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD), the region was predominantly called "Transalpine Gaul" (i.e. Gaul, which lies beyond the Alps, as viewed from Rome).
Christianity appeared in Languedoc in the middle of the 3rd century. On behalf of Pope Fabian, Gaul was Christianized by Saint Saturninus, in an abbreviated Latin version, Saint Sernin (St. Sernin). Saturninus passed through Nimes, finding his disciple Onest there, and then went to Spain. After that, he returned to Toulouse, where he was martyred in 250 (pagan priests sacrificed him). Saturninus was replaced by the Bishop of Hilaire, who, while still in Spain, sent him as a disciple. In the 4th century, on the grave of his teacher-martyr, he built a wooden church, which was called the Bull Church. The temple began to be called so in honor of the fact that Saturninus accepted a terrible martyr's death - he was tied to the tail of a rabid bull. Christians immediately began to make pilgrimages to these places. Today, on the site of the Bull Church in Toulouse, stands the Cathedral of Our Lady with the Bull (fr. Notre-Dame-du-Taure), which was built in the XIV century.
"Visigothic period" V - VIII century
Roman influence in these parts (however, as elsewhere) weakened in the III-IV centuries. Barbarian tribes came from Central Europe, and the "Visigothic" period began in the history of Languedoc.
In 412, after unsuccessful attempts to gain a foothold in Italy, the Visigoths moved to Southern Gaul, and then to the Pyrenees, where they fought other barbarian tribes. In 418, the Roman emperor Honorius gave the Visigoths the lands of Aquitaine and the western part of Occitania. The creation of the Visigothic kingdom began with its capital in Toulouse. Languedoc thus became part of the Visigoth kingdom during this period.
In the battle of Vuille (507), the Frankish king Clovis defeated the Visigoths, forcing them to leave Aquitaine and Toulouse as well (Clovis captured the city in 508). Only the Mediterranean part of Languedoc remained under the control of the Visigoths.
The development of the two parts of Languedoc (Visigothic and Frankish) in VI-VIII took place in parallel and independently of each other. This division, with some degree of conventionality, can still be seen on the map of France today - the Visigothic part coincides in many respects with the territory of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, and the Frankish part belongs mainly to the Midi-Pyrenees region.
The Mediterranean part of Languedoc, which remained under the rule of the Visigoths, is often called Septimania. This term, derived from the Latin septima - the seventh, arose during the reign of the Visigoths. According to one version, this word came from seven dioceses (parishes), into which the territory subject to the Visigoths was divided. According to another version, Septimania owes its name to the seven fortified cities that existed in this part of Languedoc at that time (Agde, Narbonne, Beziers, Nimes, Magelon, Uzes, Lodev). The territory of Septimania basically coincides with the territory of the current region of Languedoc-Roussillon (with the exception of the departments of Garda and Lazer, located in the east and northeast).
The first mention of Septimania is found in 472. In 508-714, this name referred to the territory that was subject to the Visigoths until the capture of their kingdom by the Arabs (714). At the same time, these lands continued to be called the Narbonne province (the so-called Roman heritage). The Visigoths themselves called the part of the Narbonne province, which lay north of the Pyrenees, the "Gallic province", while the Franks called it "Gothia" - the country of the Goths.
The Narbonne province during this period became a refuge for adherents of the Arian doctrine, as well as for Jews who fled here from the Kingdom of Toledo, where their situation deteriorated greatly. The "Arians", who were condemned as heretics at the Council of Nicaea in 325, along with the Jews at the beginning of the 7th century, became victims of the orthodox Christian zeal of the Visigothic king of Siseburg.
The part of Languedoc that was not part of Septimania and was not subject to the Visigoths was occupied by the Franks.
In 511, after the death of King Clovis, his empire was divided. The lands belonging to Languedoc again found themselves under various subordination: the diocese of Albiga entered Auvergne, Toulouse - in Aquitaine, the northeast of Languedoc (Vovre, Vienna) went to the Burgundian kingdom.
The year 711 was marked by the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula by the Arabs, who very quickly defeated the kingdom of the Visigoths. For Languedoc, the Arab threat became relevant in 719, after the capture of Narbonne. In the same year, the Arabs began raids in Quercy, Rouergues and Provence. One of the first to stop the Arab expansion was Ed, the Duke of Aquitaine, who defeated the enemy at the Battle of Toulouse (721). And after Charles Martel won a landslide victory at the Battle of Poitiers (732), the threat of an Arab invasion of Gaul was finally repelled.
But even before 759, Narbonne and the southern part of Languedoc remained in the hands of the Arabs, until the moment when the king of the Franks, Pepin the Short, after seven years (!) of the siege, managed to return Narbonne to Christian rule. It is noteworthy that many residents of the South Languedoc helped the Arabs - Christians-Arians and Jews were more afraid of the power of Catholic Franks than Muslim Arabs (thanks to the policy of religious tolerance pursued by the Arab rulers at that time). After the surrender of Narbonne, the Arabs went back to the Pyrenees, and Languedoc completely went to the Franks.
"Frankish period". VIII-XIII centuries
The formation of Languedoc as a political and administrative unit reached a new level in 778. Charlemagne gave the Kingdom of Aquitaine (from the Atlantic to the Rhone) with its main city of Toulouse, first into the possession of Corson, and then his cousin Guillaume, the grandson of Charles Martel. These two became the first counts of Toulouse. Charlemagne had high hopes for a separate kingdom, primarily in terms of combating the incursions of the Arabs. In general, his calculation was justified. But Languedoc under a single authority did not last long - until 843, when the descendants of Charles carried out the division of his empire. According to the agreement, called the Treaty of Veden, the right-bank part of the Rhone entered the "Middle Kingdom" and became subject to Lothair, and the rest of the Languedoc went to Charles the Bald and became part of his West Frankish kingdom. But even in this part of the Languedoc it was far from administrative unity. Charles the Bald found a strong rival in Aquitaine - Pepin, who, after only 2 years, in 845, managed to force the king of the Franks to give him Aquitaine with the dioceses of Toulouse, Gabali, Velavi, Albiga. True, in 849, Charles the Bald conquered Toulouse back.
In the 9th-13th centuries, Luggedock was a conglomerate of more than twenty counties. Each of them in some periods of time either existed separately, or due to dynastic marriages, inheritance rights, or simply as a result of accession, it was united under a single control with several others.
The Counts of Toulouse were the most prominent and influential aristocrats in that era. One of them, Raymond IV Saint-Gilles, was able to subjugate a significant territory. At the same time, he did not begin at all with Toulouse, the main city, but with the tiny ancestral possession of Saint-Gilles, which constituted half of the bishopric of Nîmes. After the death of his cousin Bertha in 1065, Raymond (bypassing her husband) inherited the titles of Marquis of Gothia, Count of Roueg and Duke of Narbonne. Although it should be noted that Raymond was rather nominally the head of most of the Languedoc, since he actually received only the lands of Rueg into his possession.
Over the next thirty years, Raymond, having outlived his closest relatives, united the entire territory of Languedoc under his rule. After the death of his older brother Guillaume, Raymond in 1094 finally received the possession of Toulouse and the surrounding territories - Albi, Agene and Quercy. Thus the great county of Toulouse was formed in Languedoc. Although the aspirations of Raymond IV did not end there - the ambitious count became a very active participant in the First Crusade, claimed, among others, the title of King of Jerusalem (preference was given to the Duke of Bouillon), then continued to fight the Muslims for several years, resulting in the title of Count of Tripoli. Raymond IV died during the siege of Tripoli in 1105.
CUISINE AND TRADITIONS OF LANGUEDOC RUSSIILLON
The Languedoc-Roussillon region is made up of seaside and mountainous areas, which is why it is famous for its very diverse cuisine. Port cities such as Sète are very fond of seafood and fish dishes, and a large number of recipes have appeared here thanks to Italian immigrants. In the mountainous regions of Loser and Cévennes, they are mainly engaged in animal husbandry, so they eat hot hearty dishes of chestnuts and meat there. In addition, Languedoc is considered the birthplace of Roquefort, the king of cheeses, well-known mineral waters and vermouth.
PRODUCTS
Cévennes bow
The surroundings of the Cévennes are famous for the sweet Cévennes onions grown there. It has large heads, an oblong, even slightly diamond-shaped shape, it has a delicate and sweetish taste. Cévennes onions play an important role in the preparation of various local dishes. It is necessarily included as an ingredient in various salads, in many meat dishes, as well as in almost all dishes that are prepared from chestnuts.
Boker bread
This type of bread takes its name from the city of Beaucaire, in the vicinity of which for many years the highest wheat crop in all of the Languedoc was grown. It was also here that they first started baking this round bread, known for its crispy brown crust and airy pulp. Boker bread has a specific dough recipe, and yeast is also used, so its shelf life is quite long, and besides, it does not stale for a long time.
Twisted Lodew baguette
The city of Lodev has long been famous for its baguette baked in rye ash. The baguette is in the shape of a basket. According to the historian Muet Barboff, the history of Lodev is associated throughout its history with references to this bread. According to the historian, the baking of this bread in Lodew began in the 16th century, during the Huguenot battles.
Sausages
Languedoc is famous for a variety of meat products, including delicious sausages. Among them, it is necessary to highlight the Vallabreg sausage, the name of which was given by the city of Vallabreg, located on the Rhone River, and the raw-smoked ham, also called the ham of the Black Mountain. Vallabreg sausage is made from a mixture of beef and pork, so it has a delicate taste.
Raw smoked pork ham has a rich pink color and a mild salty taste.
DISHES
SOUPS
Badjana
This dish is considered a typical Cevennes dish, once upon a time it was part of the winter diet of the main dish of the peasants living in the southern Pyrenees and Languedoc. This soup is very rich, chestnuts, dried vegetables are used for its preparation, and with its help the peasants were saturated and warmed up in the most difficult times that people involved in agriculture generally have.
The name of the soup Bajana, translated from the local dialect, means "peeled chestnuts." There is another version of the name - as if it came from the name of the city where this dish is most widespread. According to the third version, this word refers to the traditional way of cooking chestnuts with various vegetables.
In order to prepare the Bazhana soup, chestnuts are cleaned and dried, and then boiled for several hours in slightly salted water. Then the chestnuts are transferred to the vegetable broth and continue to cook there. If chestnuts are boiled for at least 12 hours without interruption, changing the water several times, you can achieve a subtle taste and soften the tart aroma inherent in chestnuts. Before serving, hot soup is diluted with milk and wine to taste.
Fish soup set style
Poet Paul Valery was born in Sète. This city became a major port in the 18th century. Thanks to the culinary traditions of this city, the French have developed dishes such as fish soup, which has received the red label “label rouge” for its quality and excellent taste. This brand is the highest mark of quality in France. The taste of this thick, rich soup resembles bouillabaisse, many varieties of fish and various seafood are used for its preparation. Previously, this soup was a traditional fishermen's stew, which was prepared from any small fish caught in the net. Now, for the preparation of Setsky soup, gourmet types of fish are taken. The soup is served with croutons, sprinkled with grated Emmental or Gruyère cheese. Fish soup is very good with white wine.
MEAT DISHES
Braised beef in Sengilles (Agriad)
In this way, you can cook unusually tender meat. It was invented by the inhabitants of the Rhone Valley. In order to obtain the necessary degree of softness of beef, at first the meat is kept in a container with dry white wine for at least twelve hours. Only the next day, this meat, as well as onions, gherkins and anchovies, are lowered into a saucepan and stewed over low heat. Then parsley and garlic are added to the container. Meat is usually served with potatoes or Camargue red rice.
Brajol
Inhabitants southern France Brajol is a type of small rolls of fried meat. They are prepared from beef tenderloin, which is rubbed with herbs, garlic, pepper and salt before that. These rolls are filled with processed cheese and tomatoes.
guardian
This dish is considered traditional in the Camargue region, located in the Rhone Delta. This is a veal stew called guardian. In order to prepare this stew, the meat is marinated in red wine, thyme and sage are added, and stewed for several hours over low heat, adding olive oil.
Ways
The origin of this dish is associated with one very eloquent legend, in which the hero of the famous book by Francois Rabelais appears. As the legend goes, one day the famous food lover Gargantua was very hungry and came across a giant vat while walking near the foot of Mount Sabot. The fairies were preparing some thick stew in a vat. Pieces of pork and beef, pork lard, potatoes and wine floated in it. In fact, the path is a very fatty dish in which meat is stewed, and even Pantagruel and Gargantua would be quite satisfied with its taste. Ways are cooked from a pork leg, cut into small pieces, and beef tenderloins. All meats are marinated in wine and then stewed with potatoes, herbs de Provence and shallots. Liqueur or grape vodka is also added to the paths to taste.
Lamb entrails in Kanurga style
For the inhabitants of the northern part of Languedoc, this meat dish is traditional. It is made from lamb innards marinated in white wine and stewed. They take the insides of the lamb, rub them with pepper and salt, after which they stew for seven hours over low heat. The meat becomes unusually soft. In order for the dish to have a delicate aroma, the meat is stewed with stewed carrots, Provencal herbs and cloves. A dish of lamb entrails in Kanurga style is served as a hot appetizer, and as an independent dish.
Macaronde
By the name of the dish, you can understand that it owes its origin to Italy. Most often, this is the name of pasta with meat, in which tomato sauce is added, although the recipe for the dish may differ from one cook to another. In every family, this dish is prepared with some differences. It can be a different kind of meat, and a kind of pasta, and tomato sauce, which all housewives prepare in their own way. Each dish has a unique taste. In order to prepare pasta, traditional pasta, or foam, is most often used, and pieces of meat cooked in stew or fried are added to the dish. But often, instead of meat, the dish consists of sausages, meatballs or brajoli rolls.
In Languedoc, there are few such famous dishes as a thick bean stew called cassoulet. The name of the dish is based on the Occitan word "casolete", which refers to the earthenware pot that has a conical neck, traditionally used to prepare this dish. The necessary ingredients are white beans and several different types of meat or meat products. Canned “cassule” is also sold, which are prepared in mass production. For their preparation, they simply take beans, bacon and tomato sauce. In order to cook a real cassoulet in a restaurant, you need a turkey or stewed duck leg, and the beans are cooked over low heat, adding poached vegetables and herbs.
For the first time, mention of cassoul appeared during the period when the Hundred Years War was going on. The city of Castelnaudary was besieged by the English troops, and the inhabitants of the besieged city ate by cooking bean stew. With the help of this dish, they maintained their strength. Today, Castelnaudary has declared itself the capital of cassoulet, but Carcassonne and Toulouse claim the dish as theirs.
Cassoulet is best served with the red wines of Corbière and Fitou.
FISH MEALS
Fish pie set style
This is a traditional fish pie, the recipe of which appeared in the city of Sète thanks to the Italian immigrants of the 18th century. The pie is usually small in size, weighs no more than 150 grams, and is cooked closed. Squid, octopus and tomato sauce are used as fillings. Settish fish pie is prepared and sold throughout the south of France. They can be enjoyed in a restaurant, bought at a bakery or supermarket. In other parts of France, the pie is not as popular.
Set style fish pie is served both cold and hot. It depends on the time of year. White semi-dry wine is usually served with the pie.
Sardinade
The Italian name "sardinare" comes from the method of grilling sardines, which is common among the fishermen of Languedoc and Provence. To prepare this dish, they take the freshest fish caught on the same day, or the night before. Olive oil is sprinkled on the sardines, Provence herbs are added, and even the heads are not butchered or cut off. In this form, sardines need to be grilled until a crust appears. White semi-dry wine is served with hot sardinares.
CHEESES, DESSERTS
Cheese
The famous cheeses are made in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The whole world knows about such a variety as Roquefort - sheep's blue cheese, which contains the noble mold penicillium roqueforti.
There is an old legend about how the formula for making Roquefort cheese was invented. In the Middle Ages, one negligent shepherd came up with this cheese. This young man loved pretty girls and often left his flock unattended. One day he ran away for another date and forgot about his breakfast - a piece of bread and sheep's cheese. The shepherd came back a few days later and saw that the cheese was moldy. But, despite this, the taste of cheese only got better. In fact, Roquefort has been prepared for a long time. This cheese was very loved by King Charles the Sixth. And, according to the philosopher Denis Diderot, Roquefort is the king of cheeses.
Roquefort is prepared, like other blue cheeses, from the curd mass, into which seeds of noble mold are sown before ripening and turning directly into the finished product. For this, special needles are used. These needles leave voids in the mass, in which a specific blue mold develops, thanks to which Roquefort has a sharp and delicate taste. The best time to consume Roquefort is from April to October, within five months after the cheese has matured.
There is also a softer version of Roquefort. We are talking about moldy kossy cheese (Bleu des Causses). It is made not from sheep's milk, like Roquefort, but from cow's milk, it has less mold in the pulp.
Goat cheese pelardon is considered another equally popular soft cheese. It is produced mainly in the departments of Hérault and Gard. This cheese has a very delicate texture, a soft rind that has a creamy color. This cheese has a tart aroma and a slight nutty flavor, characteristic of goat cheeses. Palerdon can be an appetizer and an ingredient in salads. It is marinated in Provence herbs and olive oil. Cévennes, for example, serve it for dessert, accompanied by chestnut jam and honey. Cevennes are famous not only for pelardon, but also for soft goat rorpe cheese, which has a similar type.
Specialty cheeses from the Lozère department include semi-hard laguiole and levejac. Layol is a type of cow's cheese that matures for quite a long time, sometimes even two years. It is best to enjoy this product from autumn to early spring. For the preparation of levezhak cheese, unpasteurized goat's milk is taken, it has a porous softness and a yellowish crust, which is slightly covered with mold. In terms of taste, it is similar to fedu cheese, which is also produced in Loser using whole goat's milk for this.
frescati
Saint Louis is considered the patron saint of the city of Sete, and on August 25 his feast is celebrated annually. At traditional family feasts on this festive day, fresco is sure to be served. This is a gorgeous cake made with rum biscuit and meringue. There are three layers in the fresco cake: shortcrust pastry cakes, with a biscuit layer. The biscuit for this cake is baked by adding raisins and generously soaking it with rum. Delicate Italian meringue covered with coffee glaze is used to decorate the cake. Frescati cake is served for dessert with muscat wine.
grisettes
A very famous delicacy in the Languedoc is the licorice grisette. They have been prepared for many hundreds of years, and the legend says that once local merchants used these small caramels made from licorice and Narbonne honey as bargaining chips when they made deals with pilgrims who passed through these lands. The pilgrims went to venerate the relics of St. James, and licorice sweets with their tart aroma brightened up their difficult journey. In the 19th century, grisettes began to be considered Montpellier's signature dessert. They are sold in tin boxes depicting the water tower of Peyrou Park. Many tourists keep these boxes as a memory of these places.
Zezeta
Zezeta biscuits are another traditional dessert invented in Sète. These are crispy biscuits, somewhat similar to our brushwood. To prepare it, they take shortbread dough, add dry white wine and orange tincture.
BEVERAGES
Cartagena
This typical Languedoc aperitif owes its name to the Latin word quarta, meaning "quarter". The fact is that in its manufacture they take one quarter of wine alcohol and 75% of grape must. Cartagena has a fortress of about 16 - 22 degrees. Served as an aperitif, it pairs well with Roquefort and foie gras.
Garyophilat
A variety of white sweet wine with the Latin name "gariofilat", which is considered the oldest of the flavored wines of this region. In the Middle Ages, this excellent wine, to which an infusion of cloves was added for flavor, was loved by the royal court, and it fell on the table of the king only on special occasions. Modern French winemakers in the manufacture of garyophilat use old recipes, so this wine is still called medieval. Very often this wine is included as an ingredient in aperitifs, it is served with desserts and gourmet dishes.
Vermouth Noilly Prat
Everyone knows that classic vermouths are made in Italy and France.
Noilly Prat is the most famous French vermouth brand, produced in southern France since 1813. Vermouth got its name from the name of the botanist Joseph Noailly, who came up with the formula by which this fortified wine is still being prepared.
Noilly Prat Dry is the most common option; coriander and chamomile infusions are used to flavor it. There are also varieties of vermouth Noilly Prat Rouge, in which cloves and nutmeg are added, and Noilly Prat Ambre, a sweet wine variety with a vanilla-cinnamon aroma. This wine is sold only in Marseille stores.
Mineral water
The most famous brand of French mineral water is Perrier sparkling water. It is bottled from a source located on the territory of the Gard department, located near Nimes, 15 km from it. The Perrier brand was first recognized in 1903, when Louis Perrier, a Nimes therapist, came into possession of this source. Perrier became interested in the healing qualities of this mineral water. Over the past hundred years, this water has become the most commercially successful brand of mineral water in France, as well as an important export item. The neighboring department of Lozère is known for another source of soda. mineral water Quezac. The Quezac brand name was recognized no more than twenty years ago, but water has been extracted from this source since Gallo-Roman times.
Map of the Languedoc region
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