The Top 9 Things to Do in Languedoc-Roussillon

Gévaudan Wolf-Park is a wildlife park that's home to several wolf species. If you've always dreamed of coming face-to-face with these fascinating animals and you are in Lozère, then the Gévaudan Wolf-Park (le parc scientifique des Loups du Gévaudan), is the place to be. It is home to 5 different species from all over the world.

Here, you can learn about the fascinating social structure of the pack from wolves from Canada, Mongolia, Siberia, Poland and the Arctic. And you can also learn about the scary Beast of Gévaudan (le Bête du Gévaudan), a mythic black wolf. In the evenings there is a sound and light show and you can climb up the belvedere to listen to the wolves howl. An absolutely unique experience that you'll remember forever.

The Odeillo solar furnace (le Grand Four Solaire d’Odeillo) at Font-Romeu, is an amazing thing to see, with useful explanatory signs that tell the fascinating story behind the project, as well as how it functions. Unfortunately the indoor visitors center closed in 2017, but the CNRS still uses the site to research how materials react under extreme conditions and further research on energy use.

Because of the amount of sun it receives, this furnace is capable of melting steel blocks 40 cm thick. Once you've finished looking at the outside of this amazing furnace you can walk up one of the surrounding paths to admire it from on high, surrounded by the equally amazing countryside.

The coastal path from Argelès sur Mer to Cerbère is a great way of discovering the area's natural and architectural treasures. 32 km long in total, it is split into 16 easy to do stages that you can combine to suit yourself, depending on what interests you and how fit you feel. As you walk along you can enjoy the creeks and coves alongside the picturesque countryside, but also pretty towns and villages and some heritage sites.

Between the beginning and the end you'll walk through Collioure and Banyuls-sur-Mer as well as a marine reserve. If you don't want to walk back as well you can hop on the, very cheap, bus provided by the Conseil Général to get back to where you started.

Exploring Sète's hidden creeks and caves by kayak is a great activity for nature lovers and adventurers. After a brief explanation of how to handle the kayak, your guide will take you off to spend 3 hours exploring the unexpected beaches and scenery of this wonderful Mediterranean town, so dear to the French singer-songwriter and poet, Georges Brassens.

This is a great day out for families in particular, learning more about the history and culture of Sète while enjoying some exercise. Note: You have to be able to swim, make up a group of 6 and be at least 6 years old. If the weather isn't on your side the trip may be postponed or you will be given your money back.

The Cathar castle of Montségur, perched on a limestone peak (or "pog" in the local dialect), is a relic of a fascinating part of French history. You can find out more about it in the museum in the village below. Once you've climbed up to this well-preserved ruin you'll understand why a military fortress 1,207 meters above sea level was the last refuge of the Cathars in the 12th century.

The King of France decided to rid himself of these religious rebels after some of his inquisitors were killed. He laid siege to Montségur in late 1243, although the castle didn't fall until 10 months later. From the castle there is a 360° view over the Aude plains as far as the Pyrenees. This could well make you want to try the legendary Cathar Trail, the GR 367, to explore the other wonders of "Cathar Country".

The steam train of the Cévennes (le train à vapeur des Cévennes) is a spectacular way to explore the beauty of the Gardons valley from Anduze to Saint Jean-du-Gard. The 13-kilometre trip takes 45 minutes, giving you lots of time to appreciate the magnificent views from your open carriage. Both Anduze and Saint Jean du Gard are worth a visit, as is Bamboo Cevennes (La Bambouseraie) which has its own station along the line.

Even the stream train itself is interesting. Aspiring steam enthusiasts will love helping fill it with water or greasing the rods. Hungry? La Guinguette at Saint-Jean-du-Gard is the perfect place for a snack in an unusual setting.

Bamboo Cevennes (La Bambouseraie), in the heart of the Cévennes, is one of the most interesting botanical gardens in France and a great place to relax with nature. This unique botanic garden has over a thousand varieties of plants and trees, including more than 200 varieties of bamboo of all sizes and colors.

As well as the bamboo, you can admire Japanese acers, ginkgo biloba trees and centuries old sequoias. Every season there's something new to see as the impressive landscaped neighborhoods show you rare species from different continents to make your trip a fascinating exploration.

The European Bison reserve is a protected area that's home to majestic European bison. In the heart of the Margeride mountains in Lozère, get to know the magnificent European bison in this unspoiled, protected area. From prehistoric times until the middle ages, European bison lived in forests all over Europe. And you can see them in this reserve, as well as American bison and draught horses.

It's not unusual to find bison and horses cohabiting; they are often seen together in cave paintings. When you visit, you can find out everything there is know about bison in the museum and you can also get up close and personal with a carriage ride out to see them in the summer or a sled in the winter.

Mount Canigou (le Canigó), dominates the Pyrénées-Orientales. It's an ideal place for outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking and riding and of course, climbing to its peak, 2,784 meters above sea level, if you really want to challenge yourself. But don't forget, facing a challenge like that requires proper preparation, both physical and mental, as well as good equipment.

But it's definitely worth the effort to climb to the top of this once sacred mountain and discover the fabulous scenery. Allow 1 to 2 days, according to your walking speed and the weather conditions, to get to the summit. There are several staffed refuges on the paths and bivouacking is allowed close to them. If you want to stay in a refuge you must reserve your place before you start your climb.