In the 1960’s a rather swampy area on the south-west coast of France was transformed into a modern resort named Le Cap d’Agde, the architects successfully capturing the traditional style of the Languedoc.
Le Cap d’Agde has a charm its own and excellent facilities for families, with activities and entertainments for all ages - long white sandy beaches and almost every kind of sports activity you can imagine is on offer:
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sailing courses;
Activities for kids include scary rides at the fun fair, the prehistoric theme park and the aquarium, swimming pools, water activities and sea trips, and even a Mickey Mouse Club. And when parents feel like a break, a list of baby-sitters is available at the Tourist Bureau information points.
For a day away from the beach, visit the pretty, tiny village of Fos, about 35km from Cap d’Agde. This is in the area where the Faugeres vineyards are - one of the best red wines in the region. In the village you can purchase wine for less than you would pay in the city, plus enjoy free tastings.
If you want to explore a little further, head for the bustling port of Sete. With its many canals lined with elegant buildings, it has a whiff of Venice. Narrow, winding streets lead down to the water where there are dozens of restaurants offering oysters and mussels from the breeding grounds just out to sea. They don't come any fresher than this.
The most famous place in this region is Carcassonne - a fortified medieval city with a drawbridge over a moat. The view from the battlements toward the Pyrenees is fantastique! It is a 13th century walled city that could be right out of a fairy tale. Today 80 per cent of Carcassonne is authentic in origin - what you see is much as it was six hundred years ago. You can take the train to Carcasssone from Agde and be there in an hour.
Accommodation
With price ranges to suit every pocket, there are dozens of self-catering units and hotels to choose from – visit www.cap-d-agde.c0m
Getting there
Travel on Eurostar and change at Lille for the TGV service which stops at Agde in the summer season for drop-off and pick-up.
On peak season Saturdays only, you can take the Eurostar direct to Avignon, changing to the local services direct to Agde.
Easyjet is flying the London Gatwick to Montpellier route for 2008.
Ryanair fly daily or regular services:
Bristol International to Beziers (16kms from the Cap)
Stansted to Montpellier or Perpignan
Stansted/Luton/Liverpool/East Midlands to Nimes
Stansted/Liverpool/E.Midlands/Dublin/Shannon to Carcassonne
If you would like to read more travel articles by Cathy Smith, log on to: www.historictravel.suite101.com/