Autumn living in Languedoc-Roussillon
Have You Thought About living in Languedoc-Roussillon
Autumn was probably my favourite season when I lived in Languedoc-Roussillon, now incorporated with other departements and known as Occitanie. Summer was wonderful with the certainty of long, hot, sunny days but autumn was always a time of less certainty and the occasional surprise.
Generally Languedoc-Roussillon has warm weather continued throughout October and November and it was rare (when I was living in Languedoc-Roussillon) to need any heating in the house until well into December but there was always the odd weather surprise. Maybe a few days of torrential rain, which was always quite exciting after the summer had hardened the ground making it difficult to absorb the rain. Schools would be closed because of rain! I am sure you can imagine my surprise as an English person the first time my granddaughter was sent home from school because it was going to rain!
Sometimes in Languedoc-Roussillon we could get the exciting mistral winds which would blow so hard that we often couldn’t open the heavy gate to get out of our property. On those days we would all just stay indoors knowing that after the two or three days of mistral the sky would clear and become azur blue, the sun would warm us up again and everything would sparkle.
The excitement of less certain weather coupled with the joy of foraging for mushrooms, collecting chestnuts and gathering kindle made autumns a very special time of year.
Living in Languedoc-Roussillon took on a different feel in the autumn when the holidaymakers had left. Such a picturesque region with its wonderful climate and access to the Mediterranean is bound to attract more than its fair share of visitors to France. Although it is possible to get away from summer tourists, especially in the medieaval villages and vineyards of the hinterland, autumn means that the inhabitants of the region can once again enjoy all of its attractions without the crowds. The wonderful sandy beaches, little harbours and ports, canals, rivers and lakes and the many picturesque towns and villages all belong to the locals once again. Postcard stands are put away, ice cream shops revert to being top class patisseries and restaurants get rid of the steak and chips from their menus in favour of traditional, seasonal French dishes. Whilst always being happy to share the joys of the region with summer visitors I must admit to breathing a sigh of relief as they left and our autumn and peace arrived once again.
Buying Property In Languedoc-Roussillon
If you are thinking about buying a property in Pyrénées Orientales, Aude, Herault or Gard departements of Occitanie which were previously called Languedoc-Roussillon you are probably drawn to the area by its climate, the Mediterranean way of life and its property prices. French Property prices remain much lower than in the neighbouring Provence and particularly inland, there are still some small rural houses and village houses needing a little tender loving care on the market for no more than €100,000. Similarly small coastal apartments in Pyrénées-Orientales are still available from €100,000 – €150,000. To be able to buy into the Mediterranean lifestyle and climate at these prices is amazing. For anyone looking to buy in a small town then places like Prades, Limoux, St. Chinian and Pezenas are all worth investigating. Each of these towns is lively all year round and not places that become deserted as holiday home owners leave after the summer. For buyers with larger budgets then I would recommend looking at Uzès in Gard. This small town is known as the Tuscany of France and has amazing architecture, lots of boutique shops, good restaurants and a lively community. Anyone looking to be close to the coast will find a good selection of apartments and villas along the stretch of the Mediterranean in Pyrénées-Orientales and the joy of this area is that you can swim in the morning and be up at the ski resorts of the Pyrénées in the afternoon. Life in Languedoc offers something for everyone and the property for sale reflects all styles and all budgets. If you wish to buy your own special place in the south of France I fully recommend that you look amongst the beauty and diversity of Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, Herault and Gard to find your home in France.
Other Articles That May Interest you:
