Life in the South of France

The Herault is a spectacular Department in thegreat base and starting point to commence your
Languedoc Region of France. It gets it's name fromexploration of the area, be it by car or rail.
the beautiful River Herault, which meanders throughThe major towns and villages of Beziers, Marseillan,
it.Sete, Agde, Meze, Pezenas and lots more, each with
The French, when it comes to where they wouldtheir own unique style and character are all within an
most like to live, permanent or retirement, opt forhours journey by rail or car.
the Herault, it's their favorite location in all of France!You can experience the breath taking landscape of
Many buy homes in the area and house prices aresmall villages nestled and embraced by dramatic
rising steadly. Lots of foreigners have also discoveredmountains and vineyards. Take a stroll along the
this and bought vacation or permanent homes in thismany rivers and canals, relax on the banks of the
tranquil area, where the main concern of the day canCanal du Midi watching the colorful barges quietly
often be "what will I do today?" The pace is slower,float by. Let the day drift along, picnicking on the
the food healthier, life expectancy is longer, theshores of serene lakes.
worries are less...yes it's tough.The Herault Department is well known for its miles
Real estate prices are still pretty reasonable, in theand miles of clean, sandy, sun drenched
Languedoc region, making it a good time to buy. YouMediterranean beaches. With over 300 days of
can choose from a chalet, apartment, village/townsunshine per year it's a magnet for holiday makers,
house, or luxury villa with swimming pool. Prices vary,especially the French themselves, (need I say more?)
depending on how close to the sea or a particularEvery village and town in the Herault has at least one
town or village. Each village or town has Estatemarket a week, selling breads, cheeses, meats, fish
Agent's Offices (Immobiliers) with plenty of photos inand vegetables along with clothes, bric a brac and
their windows, call in and have a chat, more thanthe kitchen sink. They are lively and colorful events
likely they'll show you properties that same day.with plenty of bargains. No matter how small the
When buying real estate in France you can savevillage or town you're in, you'll find copious amounts
paying the agents fee's. Just travel around and findof shopping malls, nearby or a short distance away.
properties being sold privately by their owners. InFor the young and not so young, there's plenty of
most cases you will see a hand written sign saying "Athings to keep you occupied. Theme and safari parks,
Vendre". If you have the time, travel from town towater sports, cycling/walking trails, museums,
village looking for your potential dream home, ifgalleries, golf, tours, bullfighting and the best cuisine
possible staying overnight, meeting the locals andand wines in the world. Visit some super ancient
experiencing the place.castles, forts and chateaux, marvel at the original
It's easy to understand why the Herault is so popular.roman viaducts bridges and towers, still in a state of
Montpellier is the major city in this department, withgreat preservation. Walking around the villages your
it's international airport and first class train service,sense of smell will be charged by the local cuisine...bon
this beautiful historical and modern city, offers anappetite.
abundance of places to see and things to do, it's a