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5 of the best places to live in Occitanie
Occitanie, a relatively new region of France that was created by combining Languedoc and the Midi-Pyrénées, is a diverse part of the country and certainly one of the most sought-after locations for buying property in France. The area isn’t as busy with tourism as the French Riviera and Provence but offers many of the same experiences. It has year-round appeal, ranging from skiing opportunities in the winter and plenty of beaches to choose from during the summer.
If you want to live in Occitanie, there are also endless opportunities for wine tasting, as Occitanie is the world’s largest wine-growing area, boasting 280,000 hectares of vines. So, if you are thinking about relocating to France, here are five of the best places to live in Occitanie:
Béziers
Béziers is best known for two things: bullfighting and wine. The former can be experienced during the four-day Feria de Béziers festival in August, where the main attraction is bullfighting. There’s more to enjoy during the festival, too, like all-day-long parties, events and music.
Béziers is a fantastic location for wine connoisseurs, especially when it’s time for the Vins Primeurs d’Oc festival. As one of the largest wine festivals in Occitanie, there are wine competitions and awards, as well as delicious food and entertaining theatrical performances. This historic city dates back to Roman times and has water on three of its four sides. The old town, which is set on the canal and the Orb river, is especially lovely.
This four-bedroom villa in Béziers is sleek, modern and sun-filled. Set in the countryside and with views that reach to the sea, the home has a landscaped garden, a swimming pool and a mezzanine that leads to a solarium. Other notable features include the fully-equipped kitchen, the outdoor summer kitchen and the children’s area.
Montpellier
Montpellier is one of France’s major cities, offering the benefits of an urban setting, plus proximity to several beaches. Palavas-les-Flots and La Grande Motte are two highly recommended beaches in the area. Furthermore, the city of Sète, which is on the saltwater lagoon Étang de Thau, is only 30km away and easy to get to. This major port city in Occitanie has a beautiful coast with a lot of sandy beaches.
During the summertime, the Place de la Comédie has markets, musicians and street performers, and Montpellier has plenty of shopping and fine dining year-round. There are plenty of cultural and historical attractions, too, like Place de la Comédie, a 17th-century arch dedicated to King Louis XIV.
This six-bedroom villa in Montpellier was formerly a wine-producing estate, and the new owner will have the option to replant vines if they wish. Set in a natural, preserved environment, the home has two independent wings and an infinity pool. The property also includes outbuildings, a caretaker’s house, a tennis court, a chapel and churches.
Narbonne
Narbonne is a seaside town that’s beloved by the French, and though it has an enormous beach, it doesn’t attract nearly as many tourists as the French Riviera. The climate by the water is lovely, much better than in nearby towns that are more inland.
The Les Halles indoor market is one of the most popular spots to visit, and the scenic canal is ideal for cycling or walking along. There’s plenty to do here throughout the year – attend concerts or theatre performances, head to a sports facility for the afternoon or dine at one of the many area restaurants. Plus, there are plenty of artisan shops, bakeries and bars in the area.
This historic property has a main residence with five bedrooms and a separate apartment with two bedrooms. There’s also a three-story stable with the potential for renovation if you’d like to turn it into gites. Other property features include a games room and workshop, a Mediterranean garden and a barbecue area. There’s also a glass-fronted barn that houses an indoor pool.
Nimes
Nimes is sometimes referred to as “French Rome,” a nod to its rich Roman heritage. The city is located on the Via Domitia, which is the main chariot root that connects Spain to Rome. There are a lot of historical sites and monuments to visit in Nimes, like the Maison Carrée, a well-preserved Roman temple.
Despite how much Nimes remembers its history, though, the city is quite contemporary. Up to 24,000 people regularly gather at the arena for concerts and festivals, and many of the buildings were designed with modern architecture.
This five-bedroom villa is just a few minutes from the centre of Nimes’. Spacious and luxurious, the home includes an infinity pool, shaded terrace, gym and wine cellar. The large living room opens onto a terrace, and there’s also a fully-equipped, open kitchen. If you have visitors who would like extra privacy, there’s an independent suite with its own office, dressing room and bathroom, and it leads to a terrace with a Jacuzzi.
Uzès
The medieval city of Uzés has quaint, narrow streets, and both the ambiance and architecture are reminiscent of Provence. The square is shaded by plane trees, and many of the town’s buildings have coloured shutters. Every Saturday, you can buy produce or handmade artisan products at the market. The rest of the week, both locals and travelers head to cafes to sip coffee and people-watch.
This five-bedroom Uzés villa has several ensuite bedrooms, plus a small gym and terraces. The master suite is impressive, as it includes a bathroom and shower room, an office-living room, a large dressing room and its own sunny terrace. Overall, the property is private and quiet, and the living room’s bay window overlooks the peaceful courtyard and pool area.
If you’re looking to relocate to Occitanie, then as a specialist luxury buyers agent, HOMEHUNTS will search the market for you, then based on your search criteria, we will select the finest luxury properties in Occitanie for you to view. Whether you want to live in a bustling city or somewhere more tranquil, there will certainly be an Occitanie property for you.
Home Hunts are here to help you to find your dream home and help you to live in Occitanie. If you would like to speak to one of the team to discuss your needs or just to have a chat about the market, you can call us on +33 970 44 66 43 or send us a mail to info@home-hunts.com. If you just want to browse through thousands of beautiful French homes, visit our website at www.home-hunts.com or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
