Languedoc's not all Mediterranean: A guide to the four terrain types: I
The terrain of Languedoc is surprisingly different and the further you travel through the region you will soon see the marked differences. If you thought all of the region was mediterranean 'garrigue' or rows and rows of vineyards - think again. Over the next four days - we'll cover the 4 main terrain types of the region. Hopefully, our guide should ensure you don't end up wasting time searching for property in an area that doesn't suit your needs.
There are 4 main terrain types in the Languedoc region:
1: Mountains
2: Foothills
3: Coastal Plain
4: Farmland
1: Mountains
The mountainous regions of the Pyrénées, Black Mountains and Cévennes are the least populated of the 4 types of terrain. The distances are greater between each village or town and the roads narrower and wiggly, so you'll probably spend more time in the car, driving to the nearest supermarket or town.
The climate is generally wetter and colder and a good rule of thumb is that for every 100 meters gained in altitude the average temperature drops by 1 degree. Thereforehomes in St Pons, for instance, are about 5 degrees celcius cooler than those on the coast, providing a pleasent rest from the heat in the summer but perhaps a touch on the cold side in winter. Also the seasons will be differents to the lower areas, with a longer Winter, later Spring, earlier Autumn etc.
The cost of property tends also to be slightly cheaper here, both because of the weather and the increases time to travel to the popular coast with it's beaches. Depending on the location and proximity to a town or village, houses here are more likely to lack mains water and certainly mains gas, and even electricity and telephone lines. The 'fosses septiques' (septic tanks) are more common.
Due to the different flora and forna and resulting changes in the prevailing agriculture, property in this area tends to offer larger gardens than those in other areas, as the vines don't dominate every inch of spare land. But plots tend to be steeper, so often need to be terraced to be useable.
Given the steep valleys and wooded nature of the area, the views can be stunning, and with the clear air you can often see the Pyrénées from Aude and Hérault, and the Alps from Gard and Lozère.
Tune in tomorrow for the 2nd in out 4-part Terrain Type series...
There are 4 main terrain types in the Languedoc region:
1: Mountains
2: Foothills
3: Coastal Plain
4: Farmland
1: Mountains
The mountainous regions of the Pyrénées, Black Mountains and Cévennes are the least populated of the 4 types of terrain. The distances are greater between each village or town and the roads narrower and wiggly, so you'll probably spend more time in the car, driving to the nearest supermarket or town.
The climate is generally wetter and colder and a good rule of thumb is that for every 100 meters gained in altitude the average temperature drops by 1 degree. Thereforehomes in St Pons, for instance, are about 5 degrees celcius cooler than those on the coast, providing a pleasent rest from the heat in the summer but perhaps a touch on the cold side in winter. Also the seasons will be differents to the lower areas, with a longer Winter, later Spring, earlier Autumn etc.
The cost of property tends also to be slightly cheaper here, both because of the weather and the increases time to travel to the popular coast with it's beaches. Depending on the location and proximity to a town or village, houses here are more likely to lack mains water and certainly mains gas, and even electricity and telephone lines. The 'fosses septiques' (septic tanks) are more common.
Due to the different flora and forna and resulting changes in the prevailing agriculture, property in this area tends to offer larger gardens than those in other areas, as the vines don't dominate every inch of spare land. But plots tend to be steeper, so often need to be terraced to be useable.
Given the steep valleys and wooded nature of the area, the views can be stunning, and with the clear air you can often see the Pyrénées from Aude and Hérault, and the Alps from Gard and Lozère.
Tune in tomorrow for the 2nd in out 4-part Terrain Type series...
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