Languedoc's not all Mediterranean: A guide to the four terrain types: II
This is Part II of our guide to the varying terrain of Languedoc. 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
2: Foothills
Depending on your outlook, this area or category of terrain is perhaps the most picturesque of areas. The foothills of the Pyrénées, Montaignes Noirs and the Cévennes combine the best of both worlds - warm temperatures (as you are back in the Mediterranean zone) and beautiful scenery.
The countryside here is again quite varied and this variety provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Patchworks of vineyards undulate under hills of pines, with snow capped mountains towering the distance. The un-cultivated areas are predominantly 'garrigue' a mix of scrub and herbs, with Rosemary, Thyme, Fennel and wild Mint growing everywhere. Just walk through and you realease an intense bouquet of these wonderful smells.
The draw back of this intense viticulture with vines covering nearly every square inch of spare land, is that finding houses with large gardens can be a bit tricky in this area. Houses no longer supported 'beasts' in times gone by, and so there was no need for land around the house. Instead you may find houses often offer a collection of out buildings attached to the main property, or a courtyard of some description.
The weather is as warm and sunny as the coast, but hundreds of microclimates mean you really need to ask the locals what the weather can be like in any particular area. For example, Roquebrun boasts a sub-tropical climate and a tropical garden to match and is one of the sunniest villages in France.
If you like good walks then this is the place for you. The gently rolling hills offering endless treks through the vines and across the many rivers (my Labradors love it!). Relatively good and generally quiet roads also mean that Languedoc's cities and commercial centres are never too far away.
Tune in tomorrow for the 3rd in our 4-part Terrain Type series...
There are 4 main terrain types in the Languedoc region:
1: Mountains
2: Foothills
3: Coastal Plain
4: Farmland
2: Foothills
Depending on your outlook, this area or category of terrain is perhaps the most picturesque of areas. The foothills of the Pyrénées, Montaignes Noirs and the Cévennes combine the best of both worlds - warm temperatures (as you are back in the Mediterranean zone) and beautiful scenery.
The countryside here is again quite varied and this variety provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Patchworks of vineyards undulate under hills of pines, with snow capped mountains towering the distance. The un-cultivated areas are predominantly 'garrigue' a mix of scrub and herbs, with Rosemary, Thyme, Fennel and wild Mint growing everywhere. Just walk through and you realease an intense bouquet of these wonderful smells.
The draw back of this intense viticulture with vines covering nearly every square inch of spare land, is that finding houses with large gardens can be a bit tricky in this area. Houses no longer supported 'beasts' in times gone by, and so there was no need for land around the house. Instead you may find houses often offer a collection of out buildings attached to the main property, or a courtyard of some description.
The weather is as warm and sunny as the coast, but hundreds of microclimates mean you really need to ask the locals what the weather can be like in any particular area. For example, Roquebrun boasts a sub-tropical climate and a tropical garden to match and is one of the sunniest villages in France.
If you like good walks then this is the place for you. The gently rolling hills offering endless treks through the vines and across the many rivers (my Labradors love it!). Relatively good and generally quiet roads also mean that Languedoc's cities and commercial centres are never too far away.
Tune in tomorrow for the 3rd in our 4-part Terrain Type series...
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