France

New from Bradt is France: Languedoc-Roussillon, which celebrates in intimate detail the Occitanie, a charming region full of easily accessible contrasts in southwest France. Three local residents share their extensive, in-depth knowledge of the area, covering both well-known attractions and off-the-beaten-path delights. Expertly researched and with exemplary attention to detail, engaging writing and great ideas blend to furnish the perfect travel companion. From exploring Cathar castles to drifting down the Canal du Midi, from a bustling city break in vibrant Montpellier, Perpignan or Narbonne to an entrancing wander around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon offers ample destinations for anyone looking for a slick cosmopolitan adventure, with the endless delights of regional food, wine and culture thrown in liberally around every corner. If slow travel, sustainable tourism and the call of the wild are more your scene, you’ll find plenty to enchant you, from looking for wolves and bison, or going white-water rafting, to hiking along ‘Grand Randonnée’ routes through the mountains up to Mount Canigou at 2,784 m altitude. For tranquillity, wide-open spaces and dark skies, you can’t beat Parc National des Cévennes, whose nearly 3,000 square kilometres stretch across the sparsely populated Lozère and Gard regions. An almost endless choice of beaches is yours for the taking along the Mediterranean coast, backed by one of France’s richest wine regions, which provides opportunities to taste and discover a true French treasure. Those so-minded can follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey on the Chemin de Stevenson, trace the Da Vinci Code trail, which celebrates locations associated with Dan Brown’s novel, or visit Perpignan train station – deemed the “centre of the universe” by Salvador Dalí. Roman history and architecture abound: the Pont du Gard aqueduct is France’s most-visited ancient monument, the exceptional Maison Carrée is a 1st-century BC temple, and Nîmes boasts the best preserved of Europe’s 70 remaining Roman amphitheatres. Or you can go boating or canoeing along the Canal du Midi, the world’s oldest navigable canal. Whatever your interests, and however you travel, Bradt’s new guide to France: Languedoc-Roussillon has you covered.