The Beauty of Southern France

The Mediterranean coastline of southern France is renowned as a uniquely beautiful corner of Europe. Often referred to as the sunshine playground the region enjoys long hot summers and mild winters. It is also the largest wine producing region on the continent, in a country that’s no stranger to winemaking. All in all the south of France is an intensely pleasurable place to holiday and this is reflected in the wide variety of holiday accommodation options available, attracting more tourists to France than anywhere else on the planet!

So what are the regions of southern France and their traits? Read on to find out.

Languedoc-Roussillon
Stretching from Andorra in the south west all the way to Auvergne at its northern extreme the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France shares the country’s gorgeous Mediterranean coastline with neighbouring Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur and is an important centre for the country’s winemaking industry. In fact so much wine is produced here that during the 20th century it is estimated that one in ten bottles of the world’s wine came from Languedoc-Roussillon.
Of course the region isn’t just vineyards and winemaking, and the locals are also extremely proud of their cheeses and olive oils which are both very important aspects of French culture. To truly live as a local you may wish to enjoy wine and cheese from the region whilst lying on one of the seemingly endless sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see against the backdrop of the calm and peaceful Mediterranean Sea. The pace of life in Languedoc-Roussillon is, as one might expect, very laid back, and many a visitor has left enchanted by its many charms.

Provence
Although Provence is now part of the larger Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region of southern France, it retains a sense of cultural independence and the locals are fiercely proud of its rich heritage as a region of political and geographical significance. Renowned for its outstanding beauty Provence has attracted some of the most famous artists of the 19th and 20th centuries including Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso and Monet who were all drawn to the stunning landscapes on offer which offered an excellent backdrop to their creativity.

Much like neighbouring Languedoc, winemaking is an important element of the region’s cultural make-up and there are three distinct regional classifications (Appellation d’origine controlee) with five local classifications (appellations locales). Over the past thirty years the wine from this region has improved dramatically and it is now considered a win producing region of repute.

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