Discover the Languedoc Roussillon on a Fantastic Camping Holiday in the South of France

Located between Spain and the banks of Rhone River, and bordering with the Mediterranean Sea, the Languedoc Roussillon region is blessed with gorgeous beaches, beautiful mountains, spectacular vineyards, and historic countryside. It is a perfect place for someone who likes spending time with nature, and what better way to experience the best of two countries (France and Spain) than camping in the Languedoc Roussillon region. In this article I want to tell you all the amazing things you can do in the Languedoc Roussillon region when you choose a camping holiday here.

Camping in the Languedoc Roussillon Region

A photo of a wooden cabin surrounded by nature. In front of the cabin there is a large hammock with a person reading in it

Once you’ve decided to go on a family camping holiday in the Languedoc Roussillon region, you must book one of the Yelloh! Village camping sites. Camping in the South of France holidays are not like they used to be – pitching a tent in an empty field and hoping for the best. At Yelloh! Village you will find a large range of rental options, from mobile homes, glamping all furnished tents, caravans, and even tree cabins. The Yelloh! holiday parks in the Languedoc Roussillon region feature water parks with slides, children and teens clubs, heated swimming pools and relaxing spas for the parents.

Unique Things to do in the Languedoc Roussillon Region: 

Visit the medieval town of Carcassonne

On the left hand side of the photo there are the towers of the medieval city of Carcassonne. On the right there is the valley and the view below.

With a fairy-tale-like skyline created by ramparts and castles, Cité de Carcassonne is a UNESCO-listed, well-preserved, medieval, fortified French town perched on a hilltop. Today, it is considered to be the biggest and the best-conserved fortress in the whole of Europe. You must explore the grand citadels, churches, towers, and the ancient buildings of Carcassonne.

Most of the monuments in Carcassonne have retained their centuries-old character and are free to see. The double circuit of defensive walls of the fortress features several watchtowers and slits for arrows. You can also participate in the many cultural events which are held in the town during summertime.

The nearest Yelloh! Village camping site is Domaine d’Arnauteille, which features panoramic views, an aquatic park, as well as premium cottages and on site entertainment.

Gaze at Pont du Gard

A view of the three arches high bridge - two very large arches on the first two levels, and a small arch level on top. The bridge reflects in the water of the river below.

Pont du Gard is an impressive Roman aqueduct with three rows of arcades. This ancient Roman masterpiece is a UNESCO-listed monument and a must-see in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The aqueduct spans the Gardon River majestically and is a spectacular site to visit. You can opt to hike the trails on both sides of the aqueduct, to see and click it from different vantage points.

Pont du Gard was constructed without the use of mortar. There’s also a trail down the 50-metre-high aqueduct that takes you near the riverbank, where you can carry a packed picnic lunch. You can even visit the pathway on the top of the aqueduct if you join a guided tour.

Go on a River Cruise on Canal du Midi

A photo of the Canal du Midi, with small boats anchored on the right hand side. The canal is covered by a tree canopy. On the left hand side there is an alley on which there are three people cycling.

Canal du Midi is the oldest canal in Europe that’s still in operation. You can explore the canal on foot, by biking along it, or by cruising on it. The canal is covered with thick canopies of surrounding trees in many places, giving rise to beautiful landscapes covered in greenery. Set off your canal cruise from Beziers and enjoy as your boat drifts past the UNESCO-recognized waterways.

Do not miss out on sighting the picturesque Orb aqueduct and the Mapas tunnel that allows the canal to pass through a hill. Book a camping experience on the banks of Canal du Midi to get the best of the waterway.

A great camping site close to Canal du Midi is Le Bout du Monde, a natural oasis in the countryside which offers Mongolian style yurts, modern cottages, as well as two swimming pools and a farmhouse restaurant. The site is located on the shores of a lake, where you can cool off during the hot summer days.

Discover the best wines of Languedoc on the Route du Vin

A vineyard, with a medieval town that can be seen in the far end

If you are a wine lover, then camping near one of the sprawling vineyards of Languedoc is an ideal stay option for you! The Route du Vin or the Wine Route passes through the Mediterranean coastlines and foothills of the Pyrenees and stretches as far as the Rhone Valley. This region is associated with producing authentic, fine regional wines.

Start your vineyard tour by visiting Château d’Aumelas, followed by Château Capion, Domaine de Rieussec, and Domaine de la Baume. A tasting of the local wines such as Coteaux du Languedoc, Vicomté d’Aumelas or Grés de Montpellier will be a treat for your taste buds.

Discover the Cathar Castles in the Area

The remains of a medieval castle on top of a mountain. Each side has very sharp drops. There is a windy, steep rock path going up to the gate.

Cathar Country is the region of Languedoc where Catharism (a dualist religion) developed. The Cathar castles, a group of medieval castles, offered refuge to the followers during the Cathar religious movement. You can visit and explore the most notable castles like Terme’s, Aguilar, Puilaurens, Queribus, Montsegur, Puivert, Peyrepertuse, and the four castles of Lastours.

Several Cathar castles are included in the tentative UNESCO heritage site list. Few of these castles are located in picturesque settings on top of a rugged mountain or hanging in thin air on a cliff, and offer excellent views of the surrounding area. A guided tour of these castles will help you understand the history of Cathars and how the religion was slowly extinguished.

Go Bird Catching in Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise en Méditerranée

A close up of a lake seen through high grass.

The Regional Natural Park of Narbonne in the Mediterranean is a protected biodiversity area composed of lagoons, salt marshes, pine woods, and beaches. It is a safe haven for a variety of types of birds, both nesting and migratory, which reside in the nesting spaces offered by the lakes of the Narbonne area.

In the Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise en Méditerranée you can easily spot European bee-eater, black-winged stilt, oriole, herons, egrets, and even pink flamingos in the natural park. Over 300 species of birds can be found in the wetlands around Narbonne during the annual migration.

You can pitch your tent at the Le Sérignan Plage camping site or rent one of the charming chalets with direct access to the beach. The camping park has a giant aquapark, as well as a heated lagoon and a large balneotherapy space.

Visit a Picturesque Fishing Village

Colourful wooden boats anchored on the side of a canal. On each side of the canal there are buildings, similar to Venice.

Sète is a picturesque little French fishing village located between the Thau Lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea. Built in the 17th Century to boost maritime trade, Sète today is one of the earlier Mediterranean fishing ports. Enjoy a camping holiday near the town of Sète, at the Le Club Farret camping site, and discover this lively tourist town. Strolling along the town’s port, you will find locals visiting the area to marvel at the catch of the day as the tuna boats come and go.

Sète is also home to vast stretches of white-sand beaches. Visit the kids-friendly Lazaret beach or the nearby Corniche beach. Summit Mont St. Clair and enjoy a stunning, panoramic view of the town, sea, and the lagoon.

Explore a Roquefort Cheese Cave

Rolls of white cheese sitting on wooden, rustic shelves, inside a cave

Roquefort cheese is one of the most famous cheeses in all of France. This popular blue cheese is aged in caves that are found in the Roquefort-sur-Soulzon area. Some caves are 11 stories high and the passageways here transport cool, moist air into the caves, ideal for the growth of a fungus that gives a blue colour to the cheese.

There are about 7 cheese caves in Roquefort, out of which a few can be visited for free, while the others require an entrance fee to be paid. The cave tour takes you through the narrow tunnels of the caves, where you can see mould forming on bread and wheels of cheese that are kept for ageing. You can also sample cheeses with different flavours, and purchase your favourite ones.

Ride the Steam Train Between Anduze and Saint-Jean-du-Gard

A photo of the town of Anduze, on the shore of a river. You can see the train bridge just in front, over the river, in the far end.

The Cévennes steam train is a tourist train that goes between the towns of Anduze and Saint-Jean-du-Gard, in the Cévennes. The train runs through the breathtaking forested valleys along the Gardon River. Your ride on the original steam locomotive will be a unique experience, especially because the historic carriage crosses 5 viaducts and 4 tunnels.

The Cévennes train stops at a bamboo-themed botanical garden on its way, where you can get off and visit the gardens. The entire journey takes about 45 minutes..

Visit One of the Mountain Top Abbeys

A monastery on top of a cliff, surrounded by greenery.

Visiting the mountain top Abbeys is one of the best things you can do on a camping holiday in the Languedoc Roussillon region. Popular among campers, The Abbey of Saint Martin du Canigou is nestled in a stunning environment, overlooking the magnificent Cady Valley. 

The Abbey of Saint Martin du Canigou can only be reached on foot after a 40-minute hike on a marked trail. A guided tour inside the Abbey will take you through the monument’s history, and its beautiful interiors (including cloisters and crypts). Walk to the vantage point above the Abbey for some fantastic views.

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8 thoughts on “Discover the Languedoc Roussillon on a Fantastic Camping Holiday in the South of France

  1. Ami Bhat says:

    Totally love this place and the topmost on my list would be the Cathar castles. They remind me of the Basgo palace and monastery in Ladakh. The next I would like to explore would be Cité de Carcassonne and definitely the Mountain Top Abbeys. Would not say no to one of those wineries too

  2. Jackie says:

    The Languedoc Roussillon region of France looks to be right up my alley, with the fairytale castles, beautiful scenes in nature, and of course, delicious wine. I would never have thought of camping as a good option for me, but after seeing the lovely cabins of Yelloh! Village and hearing that they have a spa, I am convinced it would be a lovely option. They look so inviting and full of creature comforts! With so many UNESCO sites and stunning architectural attractions, I’ve added the Languedoc Roussillon to my France bucket list. The Cité de CarcassonneI, Pont du Gard, and Canal du Midi look especially amazing. I’d also love to visit the Roquefort cheese caves, too. I’m hoping to get to the south of France in the near future, and you’ve made my planning so much easier. Thank you!

  3. Agnes says:

    This is an excellent guide to southern France. I haven’t had a chance to see this part yet, so I’d like to use your tips. Camping in the Languedoc Roussillon Region seems to be the perfect place for me because I love nature. And I love wine tasting, so I must stop there since this place is near Wine Route. I love to see the sprawling vineyards of Languedoc and try those wines. Cathar Castles looks like a fairytale, so I hope to visit it. As I love bird and wildlife photography, the idea of bird watching in Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise en Méditerranée seems perfect for me. It’s a very inspirational post!

  4. Natascha says:

    Languedoc Roussillon is a great region in France. I remember a visit to the Pont du Gard a few years ago. We stayed at a campsite in the woods in walking distance to the Pont du Gard. In the evening we went to hill with a view and had some good wine. The next morning we went for a run and more views! Next time I have to visit the Cheese Cave too!

  5. Linda says:

    We had family who always stayed in the Languedoc Roussillon region so we visited with them many times. Your post took me back to some very happy family times we spent exploring. We visited the Canal du Midi several times but have yet to do the canal boat cruise that is on our travel wish list. But we sure did enjoy the wine of this region. Thanks for taking back and reminding me why we need to visit again soon. It has been far too long.

  6. Samantha Donnelly says:

    I do love the South of France, and had a few holidays there, the weather has always been amazing as well. There is so much to explore and we have so much to go back and see.

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