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Discover the South of France
Alliance Francaise Montpellier organises excursions ad visits to discover the South of France region.
Occitanie, between land and sea, between heritage and modernity, landscape and architecture, villages and people are an indication of the cultural richness of a territory of unspoilt nature. Full of places listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites (Carcassonne or the Canal du Midi, for example), the destination South of France is a land of contrasts where you can enjoy regional cuisine and the sensations of the wine estates.
Our excursions and sightseeing tours
Due to its history and its position on the borders in the south of France, the region is home to several monuments of historical importance.
Learn French while discovering the culture of the South of France and the treasures of its region.
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Carcassonne
In Cathar country, in the heart of the city of Carcassonne, discover the county castle and the ramparts classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A crucial city in the formation of the national territory.
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
A spiritual stopover on the Way of Santiago de Compostela, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a small medieval town that is one of the most beautiful villages in France. The village is home to the Abbey of Gellone, a jewel of Languedoc Romanesque art.
Nîmes - Pont du Gard
The city evokes the image of the Roman city through its ancient monuments and the originality of its urban fabric. The Pont du Gard site that has UNESCO and Grand Site de France labels is nearby.
Avignon
Avignon is a destination for your getaway in Provence. An exceptional medieval heritage with the Popes’ Palace and the bridge of a famous song, and one of the best theater festivals that ensures a memorable moment.
Aiguës-Mortes
Aiguës-Mortes, the starting point for the crusades towards the Middle East, preserves the medieval heritage of the 13th and 14th centuries. Surrounded by ancient saltworks, its proximity to the sea makes it very appealing.
Arles
Eight monuments from the Roman imperial period in Arles are on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Arles also offers you landscapes whose beauty only Van Gogh’s talent was able to capture... Arles is the most productive period of the painter’s life.
Saintes Maries-de-la-Mer
A city that symbolizes this region. A place of Christian pilgrimage on the way to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims come to venerate the relics of the St Maries. The gypsy community gathers there every year to celebrate the relics of their patron saint Saint Sara.
Pezenas - Canal du Midi - Béziers
For many years, Pezenas was the capital of Languedoc and a resting place for several kings. We will discover the famous Fonserannes locks of the Canal du Midi, the oldest in Europe. Finally we will visit Béziers, the oldest city in France.
Roquefort - Viaduc Millau - Larzac
The Cirque de Navacelles, a huge canyon 400 metres deep. Visit of the village of la Couvertoirade, a village built by the Templars. Then, the Larzac plateau to discover one of the largest viaducts in the world: the Millau viaduct. We will end up meeting the village of Roquefort, famous for its blue cheese.
Aix-en-Provence
City of the famous impressionist painter Cézanne. Guided tour of the Cours Mirabeau, the Place de l’Hôtel de ville, St Sauveur Cathedral with its multiple architectural styles and its Romanesque cloister, the Pavillon de Vendôme, the Mazarin district
Sète
Built by order of Louis XIV, the main fishing port on the French Mediterranean coast shows history and nature. Sète beach, 12km long, is mainly composed of old salt pans and vineyards, i. e. a very pleasant natural character.
Marseille
A magnificent city between the Camargue, the Alps and the French Riviera, discover its monuments: the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica, the Château d’If, the Old Port, the Roman Dock Museum, the Panier district, Fort St Jean...
Our sports activities
A land of contrasts that invites you to practice sports. Go hiking, enjoy the beach, dive into the sea or cross the rivers...
At the Alliance Française de Montpellier you can learn the language, while practicing the sports offered by the region.
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Windsurf
Discover the Mediterranean coast and practice windsurfing on superb windsurfing sites near Montpellier. Amazement and sensations guaranteed
Horse riding
Activity supervised by professionals, you will ride a Camargue horse to discover an exceptional region. You will see beautiful birds and wild herds of bulls near by.
Canyoning
Activity that consists of progressing in the bed of rivers with low to high flows, with cascades of varying heights. Natural slide, 10-metre jump possible in natural basins. Equipment provided.
Hiking
Discover a landscape of scrubland, walk along the banks of the ponds or Lake Salagou. Activate your body and enjoy the natural richness of the region.
Climbing
Walk along a wall to reach the top of a hill and marvel at the beautiful panoramas. Also take advantage of the artificial structures offered by Montpellier’s urban parks.
Canoeing - The Herault Gorge
The Hérault valley is a cool place in the middle of the garrigues. The surroundings of the gorges offer many leisure activities, as canoeing... Also discover the caves and magnificent underground rivers.
Accrobranche
As you move from one branch to another a few metres high, challenge your vertigo by savouring the purity of nature... For a day, come and share your emotions.
Karting
Between the scrubland and the Mediterranean Sea, find real competition circuits. Pins, turns, straight lines... in short, adventure.
Bike riding
You can cycle under the sun in the south of France to discover Montpellier, its squares and parks, or follow the banks of the Lez river to the sea.
Ice skating
Slide on more than 3000 m2 of ice, two slopes, a slide, in Vegapolis, France’s first playful skating rink in terms of attendance. For both top-level sport and leisure activities.