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Town and city guides in the Languedoc

Beziers

The town of Beziers is primarily famous for it's bullfights, rugby, and wine from the vineyards of the surrounding area.

The official tourist office for the town can give visitors information on events and festivals, eating out, accommodation, places to visit, local markets, adventure sports & fun things to do with kids. The town sits on the Canal du Midi - which is just gorgeous - so a lot of visitors come here for that reason. The tourist office can provide lots of information on canal cruises, houseboats, eating on board a barge etc

Béziers Office de Tourisme
29 avenue St Saëns
34500 BEZIERS
Tel: +33 (0)4 67 76 84 00
Fax: +33 (0)4 67 76 50 80
E-mail:tourisme@ville-beziers.fr
Website: www.beziers-tourisme.fr

EATING OUT IN BEZIERS
Avoid the tourist trap bars and restaurants in the central 'Allees", and investigate the possibilities around the Cathedral, and the Madeleine church.

For well-cooked, reasonably priced fish and seafood, try Cote Sud, rue Viennet with menus at 13 and 22€ and a midday special at 10€90.

For inventive and beautifully presented food on a pleasant terrace, there is 'Les Caves de le Madeleine' with a superb menu at 20€ on la place de la Madeleine, and just opposite 'Couleur Cafe' offers salads and light meals from 7€

Carcassonne

EATING out in Carcassonne
La Languedoc, 2 allee d'Iena. This is the top restaurant in Carcassonne, with a high-ceilinged century-old dining room, filled with antiques and a brick fireplace. Master chef, Didier Faugeras, serves up some of the best traditional French cuisine, sepcialities include cassoulet au confit de canard and piece de resistance. This is the place to go if you want try some of the most delicious local dishes. The restaurant is open September to June Tuesday to Sunday from 12h00 - 14h00 and Tuesday to Saturday from 19h30 - 21h30; and July to August daily from 12h00 - 13h30 and Monday to Saturday from 19h30 - 21h00. Also try the following -

L'equrie. New city of Carcassonne, 43 boulevard barbès, Tel: 0468 720404
The restaurant is in the converted stables of a hotel. The stables are tastefully converted and the service swift, polite and professional. It is a favourite with Carcassonne's business diners and booths can be reserved for private gatherings. L'equrie Website: http://restaurantlecurie.fr

Mesa, Old city, Carcassonne: 14, rue Saint-Louis, Tel: 0468 119340
This up-market eatery is known to locals as the place where you can eat as well as one can n the famous Hotel de la Cité but for a fraction of the price. It is only a stone's throw away. You can count on truffles and exquisite sauces.
Mesa Website: http://www.comteroger.com/

CULTURE
Musee des Beaux-Arts, 1 rue de Verdun. The Museum houses 102 paintings that are hung in chronological order. The museum is is not to be missed when in town, as it has some of the most interesting paintings of well known artists, including Chardin and Corot. The museum has many interesting exhibitions for the whole family to see. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 18h00. Admission is free.

CARCASSONNE Tourist Office
28 Rue de Verdun, 11890 CARCASSONNE cedex 9
Phone 04.68.10.24.30
fax : 04.68.10.24.38
Email : accueil@carcassonne-tourisme.com
Internet : www.carcassonne-tourisme.com

Montpellier

NIGHT LIFE
L’Antirouille - Bar or Club This is one of Montpellier’s most popular music bars. Doors open at 9pm and there are concerts almost every night. The program is diverse and includes rock, reggae and electronic music, with a special emphasis on emerging talent.
On the first Monday of the month, free improvised concerts are held.
This club is open Mondays to Saturdays and can be located at 12 rue Anatole-Francoe.

EATING IN MONTPELLIER
Le Chandelier - For a dining experience you will remember fondly, Le Chandelier is a perfect choice. The restaurant is housed in a luxurious and elegant setting that sets the tone for the evening out. The menu varies according to the season, using only the freshest of ingredients. Specialities include stewed lobster claws, calf’s sweetbread with artichokes and baby pigeon with green lentils. The address is 267 rue Leon Blum.

Castel Ronceray - This restaurant has one of the best-known addresses in the city. The entrance to this refined dining establishment is an attractive courtyard of a beautiful 19th century residence. The service is first class and so are the elegant furnishings. The menu is superb and offers local specialities including venison and duck fillets prepared to perfection. The address is 130 rue Castel Ronceray.

Le Pastis Carré Sainte Anne - 3, rue du Terral, Montpellier. A great modern and refined new restaurant in town populated by foodies and beau monde of Montpellier.
Tél : 0033(0)4 67 66 37 26
Mail : contact@le-pastis.fr
Le Pastis web site - click here

TOURIST ATTRACTION
Place de la Comedie - This large square is the heart and soul of Montpellier. The pedestrian-only square got its name from the first theatre built in the 1700’s on the site that is now the Opera. This bustling part of the city is the site of many open air shows as well as daily street entertainment and should not be missed. Guided tours are available daily from 10am to 5pm.
The centre of the square beneath the wonderful examples of 19th century buildings is the fountain of the Three Graces, a perfect spot to take a memorable photograph to remember Montpellier by.

CULTURE
Musee Fabre - Renowned as one of France’s finest provincial galleries, this museum is located at 39 Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle. The works featured here include those donated by Francois Fabre in 1825 the famous Montpelier painter.
Following the great painter’s death, many other paintings from hi collection were donated to the gallery. These included Poussin’s Venus and Adonis as well as works dating back to the Italian renaissance.
The generosity shown by Fabre inspired other painters to follow suit and resulted in further donations of fine art. The museum is closed Mondays and is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

MONTPELLIER TOURIST OFFICE
30, Allée Jean de Lattre de Tassigny - Esplanade Comédie, 34000 MONTPELLIER
Phone 04.67.60.60.60
fax : 04.67.60.60.61
Email : contact@ot-montpellier.fr
Internet : www.ot-montpellier.fr
Try www.tripadvisor.co.uk for hotels in Montpellier

Perpignan

Perpignan is jam packed with Catalan Spanish culture, as its so close to the border. For instance, a very popular meal in Perpignan is tapas, a food tradition from across the border that is not seen that much in France. Art is a very respected trade in the city, and there are many skilled artisans and musicians living in the city.

Bars and nightlife
The streets around place de la Loge has the highest concentration of bars and clubs in town. A typical evening in town usually start with some drinks in the bars de nuit and then off to the disco for a night of dancing. A good place to start your pub crawl is at Le Habana-Club, 5 rue Grande-des-Fabriques where you will enjoy wonderful cocktails while listening to salsa and merengua music. The discos in Perpignan generally open around 11 pm. Try Le Napoli, 3 rue place de Catalonia, a modern, mirrored space without any chairs. Dancing is the name of the game. Another option is Uba-Club, 5 bd. Mercader, with modern decor and some sofas and chairs and a smallish dance floor. Le Milord, 20 rue Jules-Verne, one of the largest discos in town is where the social locals between the ages 30 to 50 hang out.

Shopping
Visit the Centre Sant-Vicens, rue Sant-Vicens, for one the best selection of Catalan pottery, furniture and carpets. It is operated by about a dozen independent merchants. Another place to shop for Catalan inspired items is situated about 4 km south of the town centre. Follow the signs pointing to Enne and Collioures. In the town center you will find La Maison Quinta, 3 rue des Grands-des-Fabriques.

Eating out in Perpignan
109 ave. Victor Dalbiez, Perpignan. This restaurant avec chambres is the most tranquil oasis in the area. The owner, André Duflot, employs excellent chefs who concoct amazing dishes with skill and professionalism. The salad of warm squid or a platter of fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar are recommended for a starter or a light lunch.

The foie gras of duckling is not to be missed. Try one of the two new specialties, gratin of lobster and a succulent fillet of duckling with figs. The sensational fresh peaches in Banyuls wine is the perfect desert to finish a magnificent meal. There is also an American bar on the premises. Open daily from noon to 2.30 pm and again from 8 am to 11 am.

Perpignan Tourist office
Palais des Congrès - Place Armand Lanoux - B.P.215, 66002 PERPIGNAN
Phone +33 (0)4.68.66.30.30
fax : +33 (0)4.68.66.30.26
Email : contact-office@perpignan.fr
Internet : www.perpignantourisme.com

Pezenas

Pezenas, with its narrow cobbled streets and beautiful architecture, is a charming town with numerous antique and craft shops to explore as well as over 40 excellent restaurant, cafes and bars. famous for its artists colony and beautiful 200 year old stone house this picture postcard town is located less than 30 minutes from some of the Mediterranean’s finest beaches, the Canal du Midi and the cities of Bezier and Montpellier.

The Saturday Market is Pezenas is a must visit - It consists of many stalls with everything French and more. The stalls have anything from food (paella,fresh fish, sweets, fresh fruit and veg and much much more, including cloths, local tradesman, and all manner of cooked food ready to take away. This is a must if your staying nearby or in Pezenas.

EATING IN PEZENAS
Après le Déluge - Traditional - Open every day, all year round. A really good basic traditional French restaurant - with duck with honey, steak with red wine and onion sauce and fish in pastry with lemon sauce. Prices : From € 15 to € 25.
5 rue Maréchal Plantavit
34120 - Pézenas
Tel./Fax 04 67 98 10 77
E-mail : ald@apres-le-deluge.com
Website : www.apres-le-deluge.com

L'Entracte - French Traditional (cassoulet, duck breasts, mussels, prawns).
Prices : From € 7 to € 18.
30, rue Conti - 34120 - Pézenas
Tel. 0033 (0)4 67 09 33 21 - Fax 0033 (0)4 67 32 37 63
E-mail : LOZANO.Jérôme@wanado.fr

Shopping in Pezenas
If your missing lifes little home comforts then you can always drop into the "Best of British" shop. Its
an English grocer's shop in the heart of Pézenas old-town and stocks all the English favorites including biscuits, marmelades, sauces, drinks and children books. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30 to 1.30 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm
12, rue Mercière, Pezenas Tél : 0033 (0)4 67 90 45 80
For an extenive listing of trips and adventures including horse riding, gliding, rafting and yoga go to the Pezenas website at http://www.paysdepezenas.net/index.php

SETE

Sete hosts the largest French fishing fleet on the Mediterranean and has been called the Venice of the Languedoc because of its network of canals and access to the the sea - and of course for its extraordinary beauty. This is the beach resort for the local nobs and it's jam packed with great seafood restaurants and bars. One of the Highlights of Sete is the twelve kilometer long sandy beach and unlike the Riviera, the beaches here are not crowded. This is a great venue for families.

Walk down the Saint Louis Pier (Mole Saint Louis) - for great views of a working fishing port - also you will see some of the fastest sailboats in the world as it is here that the French train for the America's Cup. Look up at the slim lighthouse that was rebuilt in 1948, after the devastation of the war. It is the last light house in France equipped with a fresnel lens made from rock crystal.

Perhaps take a bite in one of the wonderful restaurants on the canal before climbing up Mont Saint-Clair (183m), where you will have a wonderful view of the village, the port, the Bassin de Thau, the Cevennes, the Pyrennees. Visit the Chapelle Notre Dame de la Salette. Converted from the remnants of an old fort built by the Duke of Montmorency and dismantled by Richeleu in 1632.

EATING IN SETE
Les Saveurs Singulieres - 5 quai Ch Lemaresquier this is a top quality restaurant that unsurprisingly considering its right beside the water specialises in the freshest seafood and fish in the area. Great service in refined surroundings. Noted by the Michelin guide as the best restaurant in Sete.

SETE Tourist Office
60, Grand'Rue Mario Roustan, 34200 SETE
Phone 0033(0)4.67.74.71.71
fax : 0033(0)4.67.46.17.54
Email : info@ot-sete.fr
Internet : http://www.ot-sete.fr