Languedoc ([lɑ̃gdɔk] in French, Lengadòc [ˌleŋgɔˈðɔ(k)] in Occitan) is a former province of France, now continued in the modern-day régions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées in the south of France, and whose capital city was Toulouse, now in Midi-Pyrénées. Occitan ( IPA BrE: /ˈɒksɪtn/ AmE: /ˈɑksəˌtɑn/ known also as Lenga d'òc or Langue d'oc (native name occitan The Kingdom of France was organised into Provinces until March 4, 1790, when the establishment of the département France is divided into 26 regions or régions (in French of which 21 are in continental Metropolitan France, one is the island of Corsica, Languedoc-Roussillon ( Occitan: Lengadòc-Rosselhon; Catalan: Llenguadoc-Rosselló) is one of the 26 regions of France. Midi-Pyrénées ( Occitan: Miègjorn-Pirenèus or Mieidia-Pirenèus) is the largest region of Metropolitan France by area larger This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Midi-Pyrénées ( Occitan: Miègjorn-Pirenèus or Mieidia-Pirenèus) is the largest region of Metropolitan France by area larger It had an area of approximately 42,700 km² (16,490 sq. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions Areas between 10000 km² and 100000 km² are listed here miles).
Languedoc should not be confused with the linguistic and cultural area of Occitania, to which it belongs, but which is larger than Languedoc. Occitania ( Occitan: Occitània) refers to the lands where Occitan is the traditional language in use though more recently viewed as a minority language
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The question of the limits of Languedoc
The traditional provinces of the kingdom of France had no official existence. A province was a territory set up by tradition and customs, and which people regarded as a unit, but provinces had no political organization. Therefore their territory had no strict limits as we think today of administrative units, and their number varied depending on the point of view of the geographers. Today, when people refer to the old provinces of France, they actually refer to the gouvernements as they existed in 1789. Gouvernements were military regions established in the middle of the 16th century and whose territories matched those of the traditional provinces. However, in some cases, small provinces had been merged with a large one into a single gouvernement, so gouvernements are not exactly the same as the traditional provinces.
The limits of Languedoc vary depending on what is considered. Historically, the region was called the county of Toulouse, a county independent from the kings of France. Before 118 BC pre-Roman times The history of Toulouse can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC according to the oldest archaeological evidence of human settlement The county of Toulouse was made up of what would later be called Languedoc, but it also included the province of Quercy (now département of Lot and northern half of the département of Tarn-et-Garonne) and the province of Rouergue (now département of Aveyron), both to the northwest of Languedoc. Quercy (pronounced /kɛʀsi/ in French;) ( Occitan: Carcin, pronounced, locally) is a former Province of France located in the southwest In the context of the political and geographic organization of France and many of its former colonies a department (département depaʁtǝmɑ̃ is an Administrative division Lot ( Occitan: Òlt) is a department in the southwest of France named after the Lot River. Tarn-et-Garonne is a French department in the southwest of France. Rouergue ( Occitan: Roergue) is a former province of France, bounded on the north by Auvergne, on the south and southwest by Languedoc Aveyron ( Occitan: Avairon) is a department in southern France named after the Aveyron River. At some times it even included the province of Agenais (now eastern half of the département of Lot-et-Garonne) to the west of Languedoc, the province of Gévaudan (now département of Lozère), the province of Velay (now the central and eastern part of the département of Haute-Loire), the southern part of the province of Vivarais (now the southern part of the département of Ardèche), and even all the northern half of Provence. Agenais, or Agenois, was a former province of France located in southwest France south of Périgord. Lot-et-Garonne ( Occitan: Òlt e Garona) is a department in the southwest of France named after the Lot and Garonne rivers Gévaudan is an historical area of France, nowadays situated in Lozère département. Lozère (in Occitan Losera) is a department in southeast France near the Massif Central. Le Puy-en-Velay ( Lo Puèi de Velai in Occitan, pronounced ˈpœj də ˈvəlaj is a commune of south-central France Haute-Loire ( Occitan: Naut Léger) is a department in south-central France named after the Loire River. Ardèche ( Occitan and Arpitan: Ardecha) is a department in south-central France named after the Ardèche River. Provence ( Provençal Occitan: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm is a region of southeastern France After the French conquest the entire county was dismantled, the central part of it being now called Languedoc.
The gouvernement of Languedoc which was created in the middle of the 16th century was made up of Languedoc proper, but also included the three small provinces of Gévaudan, Velay, and Vivarais (in its entirety), these three provinces being to the northeast of Languedoc. Gévaudan is an historical area of France, nowadays situated in Lozère département. Le Puy-en-Velay ( Lo Puèi de Velai in Occitan, pronounced ˈpœj də ˈvəlaj is a commune of south-central France Some people also consider that the region around Albi was a traditional province, called Albigeois (now département of Tarn), although it is most often considered as being part of Languedoc proper. For the city in Calabria Italy see Albi Italy. Albi is a commune in southern France. The provinces of Quercy and Rouergue, despite their old ties with Toulouse, were not incorporated into the gouvernement of Languedoc, instead being attached to the gouvernement of Guienne and its far-away capital Bordeaux. Quercy (pronounced /kɛʀsi/ in French;) ( Occitan: Carcin, pronounced, locally) is a former Province of France located in the southwest Rouergue ( Occitan: Roergue) is a former province of France, bounded on the north by Auvergne, on the south and southwest by Languedoc Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Aquitaine (Aquitània Akitania archaic Guyenne / Guienne (Occitan Guiana) is one of the 26 Regions of France, in the south-western part of ( Gascon: Bordèu) is a port city in southwest France, with one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area at a 2008 estimate Probably this was made consciously to avoid reviving the independently-spirited county of Toulouse, potentially dangerous to France's unity. Before 118 BC pre-Roman times The history of Toulouse can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC according to the oldest archaeological evidence of human settlement In the rest of the article, what is called Languedoc refers to the territory of the gouvernement of Languedoc, as described here, which is what most people refer to when they talk about the province of Languedoc, even though it is actually larger than strictly-speaking Languedoc proper.
Area and location of Languedoc
The province of Languedoc covered an area of approximately 42,700 km² (16,490 sq. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions Areas between 10000 km² and 100000 km² are listed here miles) in the central part of southern France, roughly the region between the Rhône River (border with Provence) and the Garonne River (border with Gascony), extending northwards to the Cévennes and the Massif Central (border with Auvergne). This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Rhone, or the Rhône is one of the major Rivers of Europe, running through Switzerland and France. Provence ( Provençal Occitan: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm is a region of southeastern France The Garonne (Garonne in Occitan, Catalan and Spanish: Garona; Garumna is a River in southwest France and northern Gascony (Gascogne gaskɔɲ Gascon Occitan: Gasconha, pronounced) is an area of southwest France that constituted a province of France The Cévennes are a range of mountains in south-central France, covering parts of the départements ' of Gard, Lozère, Ardèche The Massif Central ( Occitan: Massís Central / Massís Centrau) is an elevated region in south-central France, consisting of Mountains and Auvergne ( Occitan: Auvèrnhe/Auvèrnha) was the name of an historically independent county in the center of France, as well as later a Province of
Old administrative structures and the question of the capital city of Languedoc
The governors of Languedoc resided in Pézenas, on the Mediterranean coast, away from Toulouse but close to Montpellier. Pézenas is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France. In time they had increased their power well beyond military matters, and had become the real administrators and executive power of the province, a trend seen in the other gouvernements of France, but particularly acute in Languedoc, where the duke of Montmorency, governor of Languedoc, even openly rebelled against the king, then was defeated and beheaded in Toulouse in 1632 by the order of Richelieu. Henri II de Montmorency (1595 - October 30 1632) son of duke Henry I, succeeded to the title in 1614 having previously been made Grand admiral This article is about a cardinal For information on the Russian also called The Red Eminence, see Mikhail Andreyevich Suslov. The kings of France became fearful of the power of the governors, so after King Louis XIV (the Sun King) they had to reside in Versailles and were forbidden to enter the territory of their gouvernement. Early years Birth and ancestry Louis XIV was born in the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye on September 5 1638 and bore the Heir apparent Versailles (vɛʀsaj in French) formerly de facto capital of the kingdom of France, is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and is still an important Thus the gouvernements became hollow structures, but they still carried a sense of the old provinces, and so their names and limits have remained popular until today.
For administrative purposes, Languedoc was divided in two généralités, the généralité of Toulouse and the généralité of Montpellier, the combined territory of the two generalities exactly matching that of the gouvernement of Languedoc. Recettes générales, commonly known as généralités, were the administrative divisions of France under the Ancien Régime and are At the head of a generality was an intendant, but in the case of Languedoc there was only one intendant responsible for both generalities, and he was often referred to as the intendant of Languedoc, even though technically speaking he was in fact the intendant of the generality of Toulouse and intendant of the generality of Montpellier. The title of intendant (intendant Spanish intendente) has been used in a number of countries through history The generality of Toulouse is also referred to as Upper Languedoc (Haut-Languedoc), while the generality of Montpellier, down to the level of the sea, is referred to as Lower Languedoc (Bas-Languedoc). The intendants of Languedoc resided in Montpellier, and they had a sub-delegate in Toulouse. Montpellier was chosen on purpose to diminish the power of Toulouse, whose parlement was very influential, and which symbolized the old spirit of independence of the county of Toulouse. This article is for the Ancien Régime institution For the post-Revolutionary and present-day institution see French Parliament. Before 118 BC pre-Roman times The history of Toulouse can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC according to the oldest archaeological evidence of human settlement The intendants replaced the governors as administrators of Languedoc, but appointed and dismissed at will by the king, they were no threat to the central state in Versailles. Versailles (vɛʀsaj in French) formerly de facto capital of the kingdom of France, is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and is still an important By 1789 they were the most important element of the local administration of the kingdom.
For judicial and legislative matters, Languedoc was overseen by the Parlement of Toulouse, founded in the middle of the 15th century. This article is for the Ancien Régime institution For the post-Revolutionary and present-day institution see French Parliament. It was the first parlement created outside of Paris by the kings of France in order to be the equivalent of the Parlement of Paris in the far-away southern territories of the kingdom. Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city The jurisdiction of the Parlement of Toulouse included the whole of the territory of the gouvernement of Languedoc, but it also included the province of Rouergue, most of the province of Quercy, and a part of Gascony. Rouergue ( Occitan: Roergue) is a former province of France, bounded on the north by Auvergne, on the south and southwest by Languedoc Quercy (pronounced /kɛʀsi/ in French;) ( Occitan: Carcin, pronounced, locally) is a former Province of France located in the southwest Gascony (Gascogne gaskɔɲ Gascon Occitan: Gasconha, pronounced) is an area of southwest France that constituted a province of France The Parlement of Toulouse was the supreme court of justice for this vast area of France, the court of last resort whose rulings could not be appealed, not even to the Parlement of Paris. The Parlement of Toulouse could also create case law through its decisions, as well as interpret the law. It was also in charge of registering new royal edicts and laws, and could decide to block them if it found them to be in contravention with the liberties and laws of Languedoc.
Finally, for tax purposes, Languedoc was ruled by the States of Languedoc, whose jurisdiction included only Languedoc proper (and Albigeois), but not Gévaudan, Velay, and Vivarais, which kept each their own provincial states until 1789. Gévaudan is an historical area of France, nowadays situated in Lozère département. Le Puy-en-Velay ( Lo Puèi de Velai in Occitan, pronounced ˈpœj də ˈvəlaj is a commune of south-central France Languedoc proper was one of the very few provinces of France which had the privilege to decide over tax maters, the kings of France having suppressed the provincial states in most other provinces of the kingdom. This was a special favor from the kings to ensure that an independently-spirited region far-away from Versailles would remain faithful to the central state. Versailles (vɛʀsaj in French) formerly de facto capital of the kingdom of France, is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and is still an important The States of Languedoc met in many different cities, and for some time they established themselves in Pézenas, but in the 18th century they were relocated definitively to Montpellier, where they met once a year, until 1789. Pézenas is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France. Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France.
For religious purposes, Languedoc was also divided into a certain number of ecclesiastical provinces, which had great importance at the time, but are less relevant to this article.
Resulting from this intricate entanglement of administrations and jurisdictions so typical of France before the French Revolution, it is hard to say which city was the capital city of Languedoc. The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an Toulouse and Montpellier both often claim to be the capital of Languedoc. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France. As a matter of fact, in the 18th century the monarchy clearly favored Montpellier, a city much smaller than Toulouse, and with less history and memories attached to it than the ancient metropolis of Toulouse, of which the kings of France were always fearful. However, most people consider that Toulouse is the real capital city of the province of Languedoc, due to its old status as center of the county of Toulouse, and due to the mighty power of its parlement. Before 118 BC pre-Roman times The history of Toulouse can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC according to the oldest archaeological evidence of human settlement On maps (both ancient and modern) showing the provinces of France in 1789 (in fact the gouvernements as was explained above), Toulouse is always marked as the capital city of Languedoc.
Modern administrative divisions
The province of Languedoc has been divided between 4 modern-day régions:
- 55. France is divided into 26 regions or régions (in French of which 21 are in continental Metropolitan France, one is the island of Corsica, 5% of its former territory lies in the Languedoc-Roussillon région, capital city Montpellier, covering the départements of Gard, Hérault, Aude, Lozère, and the extreme-north of Pyrénées-Orientales, which account for 86. Languedoc-Roussillon ( Occitan: Lengadòc-Rosselhon; Catalan: Llenguadoc-Rosselló) is one of the 26 regions of France. Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France. In the context of the political and geographic organization of France and many of its former colonies a department (département depaʁtǝmɑ̃ is an Administrative division Gard ( Occitan: Gard) is a département located in southern France in the Languedoc-Roussillon region Hérault ( Occitan: Erau) is a department in the southwest of France named after the Hérault river. Aude ( Occitan: Aude) is a department in south-central France named after the Aude River. Lozère (in Occitan Losera) is a department in southeast France near the Massif Central. Pyrénées-Orientales (Eastern Pyrenees Pirineus Orientals Pirenèus Orientals is a department of southern France adjacent to the northern Spanish frontier 5% of the territory of Languedoc-Roussillon. Languedoc-Roussillon ( Occitan: Lengadòc-Rosselhon; Catalan: Llenguadoc-Rosselló) is one of the 26 regions of France. The remaining 13. 5% is Roussillon (Pyrénées-Orientales), a province which was never part of Languedoc historically. Roussillon ( French: Roussillon, ʀusiˈjɔ̃ Catalan: Rosselló, pronounced; Spanish: Rosellón, pronounced) is
- 24. 8% of its former territory lies in the Midi-Pyrénées région, capital city Toulouse, covering the département of Tarn, as well as the eastern half of Haute-Garonne, the southeast of Tarn-et-Garonne, and the northwest and northheast of Ariège, which account for 23. Midi-Pyrénées ( Occitan: Miègjorn-Pirenèus or Mieidia-Pirenèus) is the largest region of Metropolitan France by area larger Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest In the context of the political and geographic organization of France and many of its former colonies a department (département depaʁtǝmɑ̃ is an Administrative division Haute-Garonne ( Occitan: Nauta Garona; English: Upper Garonne) is a department in the southwest of France named after the Tarn-et-Garonne is a French department in the southwest of France. Ariège ( Occitan: Arièja) is a department in southwestern France named after the Ariège River. 4% of the territory of Midi-Pyrénées. Midi-Pyrénées ( Occitan: Miègjorn-Pirenèus or Mieidia-Pirenèus) is the largest region of Metropolitan France by area larger The remaining 76. 6% is made of Quercy and Rouergue (of which was talked above), as well as the province of County of Foix (which had been a vassal of the county of Toulouse in the Middle Ages), several small provinces of the Pyrénées mountains, and a large part of Gascony. Quercy (pronounced /kɛʀsi/ in French;) ( Occitan: Carcin, pronounced, locally) is a former Province of France located in the southwest Rouergue ( Occitan: Roergue) is a former province of France, bounded on the north by Auvergne, on the south and southwest by Languedoc The County of Foix was an independent medieval fief in Southern France, and later a Province of France, whose territory corresponded roughly the eastern Before 118 BC pre-Roman times The history of Toulouse can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC according to the oldest archaeological evidence of human settlement The Pyrenees (Pirineos French: Pyrénées; Catalan: Pirineus; Occitan: Pirenèus; Aragonese: Perinés Gascony (Gascogne gaskɔɲ Gascon Occitan: Gasconha, pronounced) is an area of southwest France that constituted a province of France
- 13% lies in the Rhône-Alpes région, covering the département of Ardèche, which accounts for 12. Rhône-Alpes ( Franco-Provençal: Rôno-Arpes; Occitan: Ròse Aups) is one of the 26 regions of France, located on the In the context of the political and geographic organization of France and many of its former colonies a department (département depaʁtǝmɑ̃ is an Administrative division Ardèche ( Occitan and Arpitan: Ardecha) is a department in south-central France named after the Ardèche River. 7% of the territory of Rhône-Alpes
- 6. Rhône-Alpes ( Franco-Provençal: Rôno-Arpes; Occitan: Ròse Aups) is one of the 26 regions of France, located on the 7% lies in the Auvergne région,, covering the central and eastern part of the département of Haute-Loire, which account for 11% of the territory of modern-day Auvergne région
Population and cities
On the traditional territory of the province of Languedoc there live approximately 3,650,000 people (as of 1999 census), 52% of these in the Languedoc-Roussillon région, 35% in the Midi-Pyrénées région, 8% in the Rhône-Alpes région, and 5% in the Auvergne région. The Cévennes are a range of mountains in south-central France, covering parts of the départements ' of Gard, Lozère, Ardèche The Causses are a group of Limestone Plateaus (700-1200 m in the Massif Central. Languedoc-Roussillon ( Occitan: Lengadòc-Rosselhon; Catalan: Llenguadoc-Rosselló) is one of the 26 regions of France. Midi-Pyrénées ( Occitan: Miègjorn-Pirenèus or Mieidia-Pirenèus) is the largest region of Metropolitan France by area larger Rhône-Alpes ( Franco-Provençal: Rôno-Arpes; Occitan: Ròse Aups) is one of the 26 regions of France, located on the Auvergne ( Occitan: Auvèrnhe / Auvèrnha) is one of the 26 administrative regions of France.
The territory of the former province shows a stark contrast between some densely populated areas (coastal plains as well as metropolitan area of Toulouse in the interior) where density is between 150 inhabitants per km²/390 inh. per sq. mile (coastal plains) and 300 inh. per km²/780 inh. per sq. mile (plain of Toulouse), and the hilly and mountainous interior where density is extremely low, the Cévennes area in the south of Lozère having one of the lowest densities of Europe with only 7. The Cévennes are a range of mountains in south-central France, covering parts of the départements ' of Gard, Lozère, Ardèche Lozère (in Occitan Losera) is a department in southeast France near the Massif Central. 4 inhabitants per km² (19 inh. per sq. mile).
The five largest metropolitan areas on the territory of the former province of Languedoc are (as of 1999 census): Toulouse (964,797 inhabitants), Montpellier (459,916 inh. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France. ), Nîmes (221,455 inh. Nîmes ( Provençal Occitan: Nimes in both classical and Mistralian norms is a city in southern France. ), Béziers (124,967 inh. Béziers ( Besièrs in Occitan, and Besiers in Catalan) is a town in Languedoc, in the southwest of France. ), and Alès (89,390 inh. Alès is a commune in southern France, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. ).
The area of the old province of Languedoc is currently the fastest growing in France, and certainly among the fastest growing in Europe, with an increasing flow of people from northern France and the north of Europe relocating to the sunbelt of Europe, in which Languedoc is located. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Growth is particularly strong in the metropolitan areas of Toulouse and Montpellier, which are the two fastest growing metropolitan areas in Europe at the moment. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France. However, the interior of Languedoc is still losing inhabitants, which increases the difference of density that was mentioned.
Population of the coast of Languedoc as well as the region of Toulouse is rather young, educated, and affluent, whereas in the interior the population tends to be much older, with significantly lower incomes, and with a lower percentage of high school and especially college graduates.
Economy
Agriculture
Languedoc is a significant producer of wine, historically of indifferent quality, and a major contributor to the surplus known as the "wine lake". Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice The wine lake refers to the continuing surplus of Wine over demand (glut produced in the European Union. Today it produces more than a third of the grapes in France, and is a focus for outside investors. For the Tokyo University supercomputer see Gravity Pipe. GRAPE, or GRA phics P rogramming E nvironment is Wines from the Mediterranean coast of Languedoc are labeled as Languedoc, those from the interior have other labels such as Fronton, Gaillac, or Limoux to the west - and Côtes du Rhône towards east. Gaillac AOC is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC in South West France in the département of Tarn, just north of Toulouse Limoux wine is produced around the city of Limoux in Languedoc in southwestern France. Côtes du Rhône (Rhone Hills is a Wine -growing Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC for the Rhône wine region of France
Other crops include wheat (the traditional crop which made the fortune of the landlords and parliamentarians based in Toulouse, and for whose trade the famous Canal du Midi was built), maize (the new and nowadays most popular crop in the region), olives (only on the Mediterranean coast of Languedoc), fruit, and rice (in some coastal areas). Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest The Canal du Midi or Canal des Deux Mers ( Occitan: Canal de las Doas Mars / Canal del Miègjorn) is a 240 km long canal in the south of France Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica The Olive ( Olea europaea) is a Species of small Tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many In the hilly and mountainous areas of the interior, sheep and goat are raised for meat and cheese. The domestic goat ( Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat Domesticated from the Wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe Cheese is a Food made from Milk, usually the milk of cows, Buffalo, Goats or sheep, by coagulation. The coastal area is, naturally, a source of fish and shellfish. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two
Industry
Aerospace (Airbus, EADS, CNES, etc. Airbus SAS (ˈɛərbʌs in English, Airbus2ogg|/ɛʁbys/]] in French, and /ˈɛːɐbʊs/ in German) is an aircraft manufacturing The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV ( EADS) is a large European aerospace corporation formed by the merger on July 10, The fr '''Centre National d'Études Spatiales''' ( CNES) is the French government Space agency (administratively a "public establishment of industrial and commercial ), electronics (Motorola, etc. Motorola Inc ( is an American, multinational Fortune 100, Telecommunications company based in Schaumburg Illinois. ), and bio-tech industries in Toulouse; high-tech, electronics, and computer (IBM) industries in Montpellier; pharmaceutical industry (Pierre Fabre Group) in Castres. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest International Business Machines Corporation abbreviated IBM and nicknamed "Big Blue", is a multinational Computer Technology Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France. Laboratoires Pierre Fabre is a multinational pharmaceutical and cosmetics company based in Castres, France, near Toulouse. Castres ( Castras in the Languedocian dialect of Occitan language) is a town and commune of Languedoc in south-western France
There is also a significant chemical sector in Toulouse, which has been quite battered since the terrible explosion of AZF on September 21, 2001. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest AZF (French Initialism for AZote Fertilisant, ie nitrogen fertilizer was the name of a chemical factory near Toulouse, France, which exploded It has been decided that chemical industries would be moved out of Toulouse, and a large campus devoted to cancer research and bio-tech R&D will be opened on the site. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Cancer research is research into Cancer in order to identify causes and develop strategies for prevention diagnosis treatments and cure
Elsewhere in the region industries are small and in decline, in particular around the formerly mining areas of Alès and Carmaux in the interior of the region. Alès is a commune in southern France, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Carmaux is a commune of the Tarn department, in France. Demographics Residents of Carmaux
Services and Tourism
Services are the largest sector of the economy in the region. In particular, government services employ a significant part of the workforce, especially in small towns. Key administrations have been relocated to the region, such as France's National Meteorology Office (Météo-France) relocated from Paris to Toulouse in 1982. Météo-France is the French national meteorological service The organisation was established by decree in June 1993 and is a department of the Ministry of Transportation Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest
The area is also a major tourist destination. There exists three types of tourism. First, a massive summer tourism industry on the coast, with huge sea resorts such as Cap d'Agde, Palavas-les-Flots, or Grau-du-Roi, built in the 1970s. Cap d'Agde (kap dagd is the Seaside resort of the town of Agde, France, on the Mediterranean sea in the département of Hérault, Palavas-les-Flots is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.
Then history and art tourism, with Carcassonne, Toulouse, Montpellier, countless Roman monuments (such as the Roman arenas in Nîmes), medieval abbeys, Romanesque churches, and old castles (such as the ruined Cathar castles in the mountains of Corbières, testimony of the bloody Albigensian Crusade). Carcassonne (Carcassona is a fortified French town in the Aude département, of which it is the Prefecture, Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France. Nîmes ( Provençal Occitan: Nimes in both classical and Mistralian norms is a city in southern France. Regional characteristics of Romanesque architecture|Romanesque art Romanesque architecture is the term that is used to describe the architecture of Middle Ages Europe which Corbières is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. The Albigensian Crusade or Cathar Crusade (1209&ndash1229 was a 20-year military campaign initiated by the Roman Catholic Church to eliminate the Cathar
More recently, "green" and sports tourism is on the rise, with the gorges of the Tarn River (the most impressive canyon in Europe), the Ardèche Gorges, as well as the vast preserved expanses of Cévennes, Ardèche, Lauragais, etc. The Tarn River ( tarnis in Latin; hypothetical meaning rapid or walled in) is a long River in southern France ( The Ardèche ( Occitan: Ardecha) is a 125 km long River in south-central France, right tributary of the Rhône River. The Cévennes are a range of mountains in south-central France, covering parts of the départements ' of Gard, Lozère, Ardèche Ardèche ( Occitan and Arpitan: Ardecha) is a department in south-central France named after the Ardèche River. The Lauragais is an area of southwestern France located south-east of Toulouse.
Tourism on the Canal du Midi combines history (for example viewing the impressive 9 locks of Fonseranes near Beziers) with activities such as boating on the Canal, and walking or cycling on the towpaths. The Canal du Midi or Canal des Deux Mers ( Occitan: Canal de las Doas Mars / Canal del Miègjorn) is a 240 km long canal in the south of France Béziers ( Besièrs in Occitan, and Besiers in Catalan) is a town in Languedoc, in the southwest of France.
Toulouse and Montpellier are also popular places for business congresses and conventions. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Montpellier ( Occitan Montpelhièr) is a City in the south of France.
History
The Mediterranean coast of Languedoc has been settled by the Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans, and invaded by the Alamanni, Vandals, Visigoths, and Saracens. The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca Phoenicia ( Phoenician: Phoenician nunsvg|12px|נ]]Phoenician nun Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC The Alamanni, Allemanni, or Alemanni were originally an alliance of Germanic tribes located around the upper Main river ( Germany The Visigoths (Visigothi, Wisigothi, Vesi, Visi, Wesi, or Wisi were one of two main branches of the Goths, an East Saracen was a term used by Europeans in the Middle Ages for Fatimids at first then later for all who professed the religion of Islam. Languedoc was known in the Middle Ages as the county of Toulouse, an independent county which was in theory part of the kingdom of France. Before 118 BC pre-Roman times The history of Toulouse can be traced as far back as the 8th century BC according to the oldest archaeological evidence of human settlement In the 12th century, Languedoc was the center of the Cathar religious movement. The Roman Catholic Church declared them heretics, and the Albigensian Crusade wiped them out. Heresy is an introduced change to some system of belief especially a religion that conflicts with the previously established canon of that belief The Albigensian Crusade or Cathar Crusade (1209&ndash1229 was a 20-year military campaign initiated by the Roman Catholic Church to eliminate the Cathar As a consequence, the county of Toulouse was taken by the crown of France in 1271, (the county of Toulouse was a vassal of the crown of France, but had many connections with the Crown of Aragon, which included Catalonia) and has been part of France ever since. The Crown of Aragon was a permanent union of multiple titles and states in the hands of the King of Aragon. Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. Later the name given to the area was Languedoc, literally meaning "language of oc", from the word "yes" in the local Occitan language ("oc", as opposed to "oïl", later "oui", in the north of France). Occitan ( IPA BrE: /ˈɒksɪtn/ AmE: /ˈɑksəˌtɑn/ known also as Lenga d'òc or Langue d'oc (native name occitan The kings of France made Languedoc one of the provinces of the kingdom, and established the parlement of Languedoc in Toulouse. This article is for the Ancien Régime institution For the post-Revolutionary and present-day institution see French Parliament. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest The parlement and the province were abolished at the time of the French Revolution, like all the other parlements and provinces of France. The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an
Sports
Rugby union is the "national" sport in Languedoc, unlike most other parts of France where football is the most popular sport. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered The Toulouse rugby club (Stade Toulousain) is one of the best rugby clubs in Europe, regularly winning the French championship, and having already been thrice European champion (1996, 2003, and 2005) in the ten years of existence of the European clubs rugby championship. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French Rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Bullfighting and other bull related events are common in the Eastern part of Languedoc. Bullfighting or Tauromachy (from Greek ταυρομαχία - tauromachia, "bull-fight" is a traditional spectacle of Spain Sea jousts (Joutes nautiques) are held on the coast. Dating from the 11th century, this sport has local leagues and attracts large crowds.
Property
Property in the Languedoc is quite varied and ranges from beautiful newly built villas with swimming pools and tennis courts, to rambling old village houses set into the old ramparts of ancient fortified towns. Some of these village houses date back a very long time. A small house in the village of Magalas, Hérault département, has a date of 13th century carved into its stonework. Hérault ( Occitan: Erau) is a department in the southwest of France named after the Hérault river. Being a large area, the type of property available in Languedoc varies a lot, from apartments in beach resorts such as Cap D'Agde to isolated bastides in the rural interior. Cap d'Agde (kap dagd is the Seaside resort of the town of Agde, France, on the Mediterranean sea in the département of Hérault,
See also
References
- Languedoc-Rousillon Tourist Board Official Tourism Website for the Region (in English)
- The Canal du Midi at Béziers Official Béziers Website (in English)
- (French) The Languedoc-Rousillon Official Site of the Région. French wine is produced in several regions throughout France, on over 800000 Hectares (over 2 million Acres of Vineyards and in a typical Languedoc wine, including the Vin de pays labeled Vin de Pays d'Oc, is produced in southern France.
- The Hérault tourist board website Department of Hérault in Languedoc Région. All informations to discover Hérault and to book your holidays in Languedoc. Free brochures and lodging.
- lesjouteurs.com : Le Site du Pavois d'Or et des Joutes Languedociennes
- Regordane Info - The independent portal for The Regordane Way or St Gilles Trail (in English and French)
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