Family travel doesn’t have to be limited to Disney World. Nor does it have to be limited to travel in the United States. Maybe it’s time to try Europe. One of the best countries for family travel in Europe is France. Why? Each year families in droves travel to the beaches or the mountains of France during the month of August. To attract visitors, vacation spots have to be kid-friendly, and offer something for the parents as well. Despite the strong euro, this country is still a wonderful place to visit, and if you vacation outside of Paris, it’s usually not that expensive. Let’s look at a family vacation in the Languedoc region, in the south of France.

The Languedoc, specifically Languedoc-Roussillon, lies in the central part of southern France, just west of Provence. The capital is Montpellier, and the region encompasses both seashore and beaches along the Mediterranean, and mountains, such as the Cevennes in the northern part of the region. The area is also rich in history. It was the site of the bloody Albigensian Crusade during the 13th century, and the region contains many ruined castles of the Cathars, the heretical religious sect that were the target of the crusade. There are well preserved medieval towns, Romanesque churches, Roman ruins, and lots of scenic countryside. It’s the perfect place for a family vacation if you want to go beyond the typical tourist destinations.

Once you have decided to spend your vacation in the Languedoc, you need to find an airfare that fits your budget. Depending on where you are departing from, you will probably change planes in Paris, or another city, for a flight to Montpellier. Make sure to compare the fares from multiple travel sites, as they vary quite a bit. You will also need to book a rental car if you plan to visit several areas within the region. Use a rental car site, or book the car along with your flight. A quick note on rental cars in France: most automobiles in the rental fleet have a manual transmission. If you need an automatic transmission, make sure that you specify it.

When you have secured your flight and car, the next step is to find a place to stay. The Languedoc region has cities, villages, and rural areas, so you have a lot of options as to types of lodging. What you need to decide is where your base of operations will be. You could stay in Montpellier, or another city. In this case you will have a greater choice of hotel rooms. If you want to base your stay in a small village, then a bed and breakfast or rural inn will most likely be your choice of accommodation. One excellent idea for a family stay, if it fits in your budget, is to rent a villa. These are houses with several bedrooms and often a swimming pool. They are usually located in small villages or towns, and can be quite affordable, especially when compared to renting an additional hotel room. You can shop around for the best deal on the internet. Here’s a tip: try www.vrbo.com, which has vacation rental houses by owner.

You have booked the airline tickets and rental car. You have found your home base in the Languedoc, perhaps a nice villa with a swimming pool and a backyard that looks out onto a nearby mountain range. Now you need to decide what parts of this region to explore. This is a good time to pay a visit to a travel bookstore to buy a map of the area. A good road map is essential if you are to find your way in the Languedoc.

One of the main attractions of the region is the cité, or medieval section, of the town of Carcassonne. The cité was completely restored in the 19th century by famed French preservationist Viollet-le-Duc, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. This is a destination that is fun for the whole family. The adults will enjoy the wonderfully preserved medieval castle with its many towers, and the deep sense of history that the fortified town offers. The children will enjoy the Museum of the Middle Ages, and the Museum of Chivalry, Arms and Archery, which have many exhibits devoted to knights, chivalry and medieval castles.

Another interesting site that could be combined with a trip to Carcassonne is the ancient village of Minerve. Straight northeast of Carcassonne, in the garrigue, a rocky area of foothills, Minerve is one of the most beautiful villages in France. It rises up on the cliffs where the rivers Brian and Cesse converge, and it was a stronghold of the Cathars until the Albigensian Crusaders conquered it in 1210. Walk through its narrow stone streets, and then visit the ruins of the Cathar fortress. The whole family will enjoy the breathtaking views, and the adults will appreciate the local wines, which are sold at small shops in the village.

Now that you have had a taste of medieval castles and mountainous regions, it’s time to visit the beach. Be prepared to spend at least one day at one of the many beaches along the Languedoc coast, which is on the Golfe de Lion in the Mediterranean. If you begin your visit at the town of Sète, you can visit the beaches on the Etang de Thau, a lagoon that is separated from the Mediterranean by a wall of sand. After the beach, visit the town of Sète proper, where you can dine at one of many wonderful seafood restaurants. If you begin your beach excursion at the town of Marseillan, you can not only visit Marseillan Plage, a popular seaside resort, but also see the end point of the Canal du Midi, a canal that runs across southwestern France, from Bordeaux to Marseillan. The Canal du Midi is also a World Heritage Site.

Here is an idea for a laid-back, relaxing day. Visit the town of Pézenas, a picturesque community inland and about an hour’s drive due west from Sète. This was the home of Molière’s acting troupe before they made the big time in Paris. Stroll through town, which has several interesting little shops, and then have a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants. In the afternoon, head out into the countryside to visit one of the many area vineyards. As you drive along any highway out of town, look for signs that say vin  - wine - and dégustation – wine tasting. You are bound to find numerous small producers who will let you try their wine for free, and buy a bottle or two if you like it. Or try Chateau de Montpezat, a winery right in Pézenas, www.chateau-montpezat.com.  

A first-time visit to the Languedoc would not be complete without a trip to Montpellier. The main gathering place of this bustling city is la place de la Comédie, with its 19th century opera house facing the Fountain of the Three Graces. Here you can find numerous restaurants, and almost any type of cuisine. Béziers, with its beautiful Cathedral of Saint Nazarre, and Nîmes with its Roman amphitheatre, are two other towns that are well worth a visit. In the mountainous areas to the west are the ruins of numerous Cathar fortresses, including Peyrepertuse and Puivert. Finally, if you want a scenic view of the mountains in the north of the region, take a trip on the Little Yellow Train (Le Petit Train Jaune), a narrow gauge steam train that runs between Villefranche-de-Conflent and Latour-de-Carol, and which traverses scenic gorges and stops at tiny mountain stations along the way.

These attractions are just a few of the many things to do in this picturesque part of southern France. The Languedoc may be a place you visit only once, or it may be a place that you visit time and time again, discovering new wonders each time.

by Michael Norris