Languedoc Guides
The following are books offering advice on Languedoc travel, including walking.
Where there is an accompanying button, you can click on it to go the Amazon site, or in some cases other third party sites, to see more information, read reviews and purchase copies of the book in question.
Walking in the Languedoc (A Cicerone Guide)
John Cross
This book is the fruit of many years' exploration of the central part of the Languedoc, north of Béziers (near which the author lives).
Much of this area forms the Parc Naturel du Haut Languedoc, at the heart of which is the Espinouse massif, rising some 850m from the valley floor. Close by is the valley of Lac du Salagou, a man-made lake surrounded by impressive hills. Further east is the valley of the river Herault, which provides the explorer with limestone gorges, caves and cliffs.
All three of these areas are well provided with footpaths on which it is rare to see another human being. The book gives useful information not only on the walking routes, but also climate, geology, wildlife, getting thee, things to see, etc
The book provides walks for hikers of all standards. Some are straightforward; others are for the fit and experienced. All the walks described are circular. There are 31 in all, varying from 6 to 20 km.
Note that this book covers only part of the Languedoc - it will not be of much use if you are based in the Aude or the Lozère departéments.
Paperback. 155 pages. Well illustrated. Maps for each walk. pocket size ideal for carrying on walks. Second edition 2007.
Signpost Guide Languedoc and Southwest France
Gillian Thomas
Essentially for motorised tourists.
Information for motorists, especially foreigners unfamiliar with practicalities like routes, signs, traffic laws, and parking.
Hundreds of attractions are described in detail, together with recommendations
for shopping, dining, and accommodation.
Walking in the Cathar Region: Cathar Castles of South-west France (Cicerone International Walking S.)
Alan Mattingly
A comprehensive walking guide to Cathar Country. It covers 22 walks based on the castles that dominate the foothills of the Pyrenees, covering the castles and other locations that featured in Cathar history.
This is an interesting and valuable guide. It includes three long-distance walks among the 22: Le Sentier Cathare (The Cathar Trail), Le Chemin des Bonshommes (The Path of the Cathars) and the Grande Randonnees 7 & 71. Mattingly, who lives in the region, clearly knows his stuff - walking, the area, its history and its wildlife.
Each walk has as its focal point a castle or other location associated
with the Cathars. Summaries of the historical connections of each location
are given, illustrating the tragic story of the downfall of
the Cathar Church, from the massacre in Beziers in 1209 through the
heart-rending siege at Montsegur in 1244 to the burning of the last known Cathar parfait in 1314. The walks are cleverly arranged to match the chronology of the Crusade.
The Rough Guide to Languedoc & Roussillon 2
Brian Catlos
.
Languedoc-Roussillon
Paul Strang
Mainly about the wines of the region, but no worse for that
Wonderful Languedoc Roussillon
Alain D. Naud, Catherine Bibollet, Angela Moyon (Translator)
Amazon Recommended Languedoc Guides
Latest Amazon Recommendations in the UK
Latest Amazon Recommendations in the USA
Latest Amazon Recommendations in France