Languedoc Towns  As with other regions of France the Languedoc Roussillon area abounds with delightful towns that ooze character and natural ambience.  And in common with the other regions this area has it's own gems that you will return to again and again.  Pictured here is part of the medieval fortress town of Carcassonne which is our personal all time favourite.  There's not much can beat browsing the shops or savouring the atmosphere from a street side café in this place!

Castelnou

Location: From Jcn 42 of the A9 outside Perpignan take the D612 towards Thuir and then the D615 in the direction of Ille-sur-Tet.  About 1km after passing through the outskirts of Thuir the D48 turns off to the left to Castelnou.
General Info: Town website.  Free parking.
Description: Dating back to the 10th Century and one of the group of villages classed as “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” Castelnou has a dramatic setting above the Perpignan plain.
Our recommendations:  After a short browse around the cobbled streets let the kids have a drink or an ice cream at one of the pleasant cafés (otherwise there is not so much for them here).  Best to visit here during the day...the town goes to sleep in the evenings! 
For the children:  There are donkey rides available at El Burriquito, which is located just below the village (follow the signposts from the lower car park).  Tel: 06 10 40 23 02.

         - Carcassonne
         - Castelnou
         - Perpignan
         - Villefrance-de-Conflent
 

Also worth a visit are Sète for the annual water jousting tournament on August the 25th each year.  Béziers is a pleasantly situated town on the Canal du Midi with an arena where you can see the region's speciality bullfighting.