Activities in the Languedoc

Languedoc was made to be walked, biked, kayaked and flown over

Canoeing - more fun that you can shake an oar at

With so much sunshine and such varied terrain, Languedoc is a mecca for those looking to get out there and DO something. The list of activities and things to do in Languedoc Roussillon, south France, is absolutely endless, so there's literally something for everyone, from gentle walks along the Canal du Midi to throwing yourself down a mountain gorge.
 
You'll find water practically everywhere in Languedoc Roussillon, so there's no shortage of canal boating, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and swimming (click here to visit our Beaches section). We can especially recommend canoeing down one of the region's many rivers - its usually very easy and you can take a picnic with you and stop off at some deserted river beach along the way to feast on sandwiches and a good bottle of rose. Or for a slightly less physical option, why not head for the beautiful Canal du Midi and rent a canal boat for half or a whole day. Floating down the canal under its panoply of leaves is truly magical.

Walk amongst the vines

Three mountain ranges make skiing, rock climbing and walking great options too. With such gorgeous scenery all around you and some truly spectacular views, heading into the hills always proves to be a memorable experience. Skiing in the Pyrenees is lots of fun, and cheaper and less crowded than the Alps. Golf and tennis are also well-catered for, with golf courses and tennis centres dotted across the region.
 
For the slightly more adventurous, why not take to the skies. You could try ballooning (there's nothing like floating over the rivers and vineyards of Languedoc on a summer's day), paragliding or flying (guided flights over the Cathar castles are highly recommended).
 
For equestrians, why not head for France's most famous horse trail (Le Sentier Cathar)? And for ornithologists, the variety of birds in Languedoc, especially in the mountainous and swamp regions, is said to be very impressive - with everything from vultures and eagles to pelicans and flamingoes.

Ballooning - get a bird's eye view of the region

If you're here as a family with children, then make sure to read our 'Children's Activities' page, which lists the region's best water and adventure parks, zoos and aquariums, child-friendly beaches, and museums and exhibits.

And if the clouds should close in, try our Rainy Day Activities page for everything from spectacular caves to underground wine tasting.
 
You can read about all of these activities and things to do in Languedoc Roussillon, south France, by clicking on the links above. We've cherry picked the best of each activity in order to minimize the chances of wasting time doing something uninteresting. And we try to give as much practical information as possible, to make planning your days out in Languedoc and the south of France easy. If you do come across any information that is out of date, please do let us know. We'd love to hear from you.