Invest in a holiday home in the beautiful Languedoc area
With 15 million tourists each year, the Languedoc Roussillon is a beautiful region of southern France. A few years ago, only the Cote d’Azur was prized by buyers and tourists. However, this trend is changing and moving to the Languedoc area, which is well appreciated by workers and retired people alike. Situated between Spain and Provence, The Languedoc Roussillon is split in five departments: Aude, Gard, Herault, Lozere and Pyrenees Orientales.
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Located on the crossroads leading to Italy and Spain, the Languedoc Roussillon has a rich heritage with outstanding places such as Saint-Jacques de Compostelle, the Canal du Midi or the Via Domitia built in 118 BC. The antique monument known as the Pont du Gard or “Gard Bridge” is the most visited in France and the best preserved aqueduct in the world. Added to the Unesco’s list World Heritage sites in 1985, the bridge was built by the Romans in the middle of the first century AD. It was a part of 50 km of piping bringing water from the Eure source to the city of Nimes. Outstanding and impressive, the Pont du Gard offers three levels with 52 arches and attests to the domination of the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean.
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The oldest European canal, the Canal du Midi was a river project linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Understanding the major economical, political and military interests, Louis XIV ordered its construction in 1666. During fourteen years, 10,000 workers built 328 structures of bridges, aqueducts, ponds and locks. For over two centuries, this outstanding achievement contributed to the economic growth of the region, rapidly threatened by the creation of the railway. The trade activity disappeared in the seventies. The Canal du Midi now serves the tourism industry, which is constantly growing.
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The Regional committee of Tourism has imagined various ways of discovering these beautiful places by walking or biking. Two years ago, the committee decided to create a quality label for the Languedoc Roussillon. In partnership with the French state, the department committee of Tourism, the Chamber of commerce and others, the South of France Quality (“Label Qualité sud de France) label has been created.
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Integrated in a project linking Spain, France and Italy, the Mediterranean South Europe LGV (high speed railway) will be a great achievement by linking these beautiful places. Due in 2015-2020, this accomplishment will definitely revitalize the area. Languedoc Roussillon is also well served in term of airports as there are five main commercial airports- in Beziers, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nimes and Perpignan. At the end of the building of the Mediterranean South Europe LGV, Paris will be easily linked to Madrid via Barcelona. Consequently, this large European axis will be of huge benefit for the whole continent. Montpellier will be only 3 hours away from Paris. (Currently Marseille is also 3 hours away from Paris). But one of the major objectives of this project is a strong development of rail freight in order to decongest the French motorway network, mainly along the Rhone Valley. Moreover, the travel times between French and Spanish cities will be reduced by half. The future TGV will serve eight cities in Catalonia and south of France: Barcelone, Béziers, Figueras, Gérone, Montpellier, Narbonne, Perpignan, and Toulouse.
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The evolution of the Languedoc Roussillon’s coastline is linked to the renovation of the area. In the sixties, the French government created major regional development projects involving tourism and equipments. Legislations have been introduced to assist in the respect of the coastline and the mountain. The coastline offers amazing resorts with beautiful sandy beaches and marinas in Port-Camargue, La Grande Motte, Gruissan, Saint Cyprien or Port Barcares rewarded by the Blue Flag – the award given to beaches and marinas regarding the environment (“pavillon Bleu”). Some of them offer traditional fishing ports like in Sete or Collioure where it is possible to buy fish and shellfish directly when the boats came back from fishing in the morning. Also, with 30,000 mooring rings and 27 marinas, the Languedoc Roussillon opens on the Mediterranean Sea, Europe and Africa.
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The Languedoc Roussillon area benefits from numerous tourist attractions thanks to an important cultural and historical heritage. Between the Pic Saint Loup – one of the most beautiful natural areas of the Herault department – and the north of Montpellier, villages such as Saint-Clement de Riviere, Mas de Londres or Montferrier sur Lez have known a demographic boom in the last twenty years. Lots of houses have been built for the inhabitants of Montpellier who were looking for green and quiet areas. Beautiful houses are located in the plain, in the scrubland or on top of wooded hills with pine forests and holm oaks. With 300 Sunny days per year, the Languedoc Roussillon area is now one of the most popular areas of France as it is the fourth touristic area in the country. Since the end of 2009, the real estate transactions have grown with an average price between 180K€ and 230k€ for a house of 100 sq mtrs. Currently, property prices are a third of the price of Provence.
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So if you are looking for a holiday home in France, why don’t you take advantage of the Languedoc Roussillon area? A budget of €240,000 will buy you a charming one bedroom apartment with a swimming pool and an exceptional view over the harbour in the surroundings of the Cap d’Agde. If you are looking for a typical village house in the heights of Beziers, you will certainly enjoy this fully renovated stone house. With beautiful views on the countryside, the house will be yours for €108,900. If you are looking for a Mediterranean style, a budget of €415,000 will buy you this villa with stunning views on the Pyrennees. Following the Languedoc coastline, Pezenas is a small and pretty medieval town where you can find a great French leaseback opportunity with Les Templiers resort consisting of luxury apartments from studio to two bedroom apartments with Mediterranean gardens, spa and swimming pool.
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Sextant properties also offers original properties in the Languedoc Roussillon such as an amazing 12th and 16th century property near Bedarieux for €795,000. Located only 40 minutes away from Beziers, this magnificent castle comes with two swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, two apartments and plenty of convertible space with huge potential. Also outstanding, this 18th century manor house set in 18 acres with numerous outbuildings and gites is situated near Carcassonne for €1,100,000.
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But don’t worry; there are plenty of properties on Sextant Properties website in the Languedoc Roussillon area. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our agents to discover our beautiful properties.
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