Herault - great climate and good food
Herault, department number 34, is located in the South of France on the Mediterranean coast and has a fantastic year round climate. It is famous for its full-bodied red wines and for its oyster beds along the coast in the Bassin de Thau.
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Montpellier - the economic driving force
Montpellier, with a population of 230,000, is the capital of both the Hérault department and the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is the backbone of the region’s economy with its high-tech industries in the surrounding towns of Agropolis and Euromedecine, one of the most cosmopolitan and progressive towns in France.
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A startling turn around
The area has seen a dramatic transformation during the last 50 years. The rise of a strong left of centre local government has left a legacy of good housing, pedestrianisation of town centres and a public transportation network that is second to none.
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The fall and rise of Béziers
Further to the South of the Department you will find Béziers, renowned for its ancient bridge. It has a population of 70,000 and is the unofficial capital of the largest wine-producing region in France. The town has had a rather turbulent history. Despite burning to the ground in 1209, Béziers was restored to its original glory following a boom in the wine industry. Vineyards dominate the hills surrounding the town.
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A great place for fishing
Along the coastline look out for the town of Sete, the most important fishing port on the French Mediterranean coast. The locals are almost entirely native French Mediterraneans, probably because most tourists congregate further down the coastline in Le Cap d’Agde.
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Creating the tourist industry
Le Cap d’Agde is the largest purpose built tourist resort in the whole of Europe. It can accommodate up to 100,000 tourists at any one time. Nearby is Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert, one of France’s most beautiful villages.
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How to get there
Flying into the department couldn’t be easier. There is an international airport in Montpellier and a smaller one in Béziers, with mainly flights from Paris. Although Ryanair now has a service from Bristol and Stansted to Béziers, with a Luton service also on the cards. Montpellier has regular flights to and from the UK with Ryanair, GB Airways and British Airways. The fast and comfortable TGV train service also runs through to Montpellier.
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What about property prices and availability in the Hérault?
Montpellier is the most expensive city in the Languedoc-Roussillon and has experienced a 25 percent increase in prices over the last five years. Outside Montpellier, the trend remains similar, as the Hérault is an increasingly popular place in which to own property.
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