Russ logo

All information gathered first-hand, since 1995

  Themes /  Fun /  Fun Sites Occitanie Region

The world's oldest, largest (and best) website about Provence

Fun Sites Occitanie Region

Amusements and things to do in the Occitanie Region of southwest France. At the beginning of 2016, the new region of Occitanie was created, by combining the previous regions of Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon.

The old Languedoc-Roussillon area is at the western curve of the Mediterranean, including the towns of Nîmes, Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne and Perpignan. The old Midi-Pyrénées area just to the west, including the major town of Toulouse.

Anduze  -  Gard (30140)

Trabuc Grotto - La Grotte de Trabuc

The largest underground cave complex in the Cévennes, with the 100'000 soldats (the thousand soldiers). The Michelin Green Guide gives this 2-stars, "Merits a detour".

Location: 6 km east of Saint Jean-du-Gard; 8 km northwest of Anduze. On the D50 road, 6 km northwest of Anduze and 2 km southeast of Mialet (by the Mas Soubeyran), a small road goes off to the north; follow the signs.

Tel: 0466 850 328, or 0468 682 420; Fax: 0468 261 075

Web: www.grottes-de-france.fr

1 hour guided visits, begin about 10:15 Apr-Sept. Afternoons only March, Oct. Constant 14 degrees C (57 deg F).

Another famous grotto, the Grotte de Dargilan, is located near Meyrueis, 40 km west of Saint Jean-du-Gard.


Beaucens  -  Haute-Pyrénées (65400)

In the Pyrénées, 15 km south of Lourdes; 5 km southeast of Argelès-Gazost

Le Donjon des Aigles

Spectacle with large birds of prey, at an 11th-century feudal castle.

Location: 11, Rue du Courrier

Open: Every afternoon from Spring vacations to Sept, 15h30 and 17h; August: 15h, 16h30, 18h.

Tel: 0562 971 959

A collection of over 45 species of birds of prey, and a wildbird show of international fame.


Le Cap d'Agde  -  Hérault (34300)

Cap d'Agde is the beach-area of the town of Agde. - 20 km east of Béziers; 50 km southwest of Montpellier.

Aquland Cap d'Agde

The first aquatic park created in Europe, and the best known.

Location: BP 666

Tel: 0467 268 594; Fax: 04.67.26.51.20

Email: aqualand.capdagde@aqualand.fr

Web: www.aqualand.fr/les-parcs,cap_d_agde.html


Ganges  -  Hérault (34190)

Grotte des Demoiselles

Underground caverns, one called the Subterranean Cathedral, and equiped with Europe's first underground funiculaire (tram).

Open: All year. Guided Visits every hour, beginning at 10h. Nov-Feb and Mar-Oct, closed from 12h-14h. July-Aug, continuous starts for the 1-hr visit.

Entry: 8.80 € (2009)

Web: www.demoiselles.fr

3 stars in the Michelin Green Guide, Languedoc-roussillon.


Le Grau-du-Roi  -  Gard (30240)

Seaquarium

Includes: Jewels of the Coral Reef, The Shark Tunnel, Children's Trail, Multimedia room.

Open: All year. Hours Oct-Apr: 10h-19h

Entry: €10.30; Ages 5-14: €7.30.

Tel: 0466 515 737

Email: contact@seaquarium.fr

Web: www.seaquarium.fr


Lanuéjols  -  Gard (30750)

Randols Bison

A Western-style ranch raising American Bison. Guided visits in "chariots", 4x4 (jeeps) or horseback.
  Western shows, Wednesdays, 19h,, July-August.
  Farm-auberge, with bison meat.

Open: Mid April - End Oct

Entry: Visit, chariot tour: 6.90€; 4x4 tour: 19€; horseback: 20€/person. Western show: 8.50€

Email: contact@randals-bison.com

Web: www.randals-bison.com

GPS coordinates: 44.109536, 3.338576; (44'06'18N, 03'20'25E) 32 km east of Millau; 5 km SW of Lanuéjols village.


Marguerittes  -  Gard (30320)

8 km east of Nîmes

Kid's Paradise - Parc de Loisirs

Giant inflatable games; trampoline, water park, vélo and ttc cyclilng, mini-golf, karts. Located in the countryside, 8 km east of Nîmes.

Location: Au Mas du Trèfle, Chemin du Mas de Brignon (2.5 km SSE of Marguerittes.;
GPS: 43°50' 44, 4°27' 36

Open: April - Mid Sept

Tel: 0466 227 433, or 0613 137 180

Email: kids-paradise@sfr.fr

Web: www.kids-paradise.fr


Meyrueis  -  Lozère (48150)

Dargilan Grotto - Grotte de Dargilan

The largest grotto of the Causes and the Cevennes, listed as a 3-star site. The visit takes an hour, and it's a steady 10 degrees C (50 F), so wear something warm.

Location: About 8 km west of Meyrueis village: 500 m south of the village, take the D39 west (marked Grotte de Dargilan, 8).

Open: From the beginning of the Easter (Spring) vacation until the last day of All Saints vacation in September.

Entry: About 9 € adult, 6 € child (2012)

Tel: 0466 456 020

Email: contact@dargilan.com

Web: www.grotte-dargilan.com

37 km (50 min) from Millau; 43 km (1h10) from Florac.


Montagnac village  -  Gard (30350)

22 km northwest of Nîmes; 25 km south of Alès

Le Village des Enfants

Mini-Farm, labyrinths, games, mini-golf, planisphere, workshops.

Location: Located about 400 m SE of the village, on the Puits Saint-Martin. ; GPS: 43.93471, 4.15315

Open: 15 Jan - 15 Nov; 10h30 - 18h30

Entry: 9 € per person; 4.50€ for under 4 years.

Email: le-village-des-enfants@orange.fr

Web (flash): www.levillagedesenfants.net


Port Leucate  -  Aude (11370)

Seaside part of the commune of Leucate. - 35 km northeast of Perpignan; 35 km south of Narbonne.

Aquland Port Leucate

A kingdom dedicated to the kids, close to the stations of Leucate and Barcarès.

Location: Av. du roussillon

Tel: 0468 409 998; Fax: 04.68.40.83.78

Email: aqualand.portleucate@aqualand.fr

Web: www.aqualand.fr/les-parcs,port_leucate.html


Rocamadour  -  Lot (46500)

Eagle Rock - Le Rocher des Aigles

Spectacle with birds of prey in free flight, and a show with parrots.

Open: April through October

Entry: 8 euros

Tel: 0565 336 545, or 0565 653 906

Web: www.rocherdesaigles.com

Their website is very fancy; doesn't work with Firefox and Mac.


Grotte Préhistorique des Merveilles

Cave drawings

Open: Apr-June 10h-12, 14h-18. July-Aug 9h-19h. Sept-Nov 10h-12h, 14h-18.

Closed: Nov after Toussaint until end March.

Tel: 0565 336 792; Fax: 0565 33 67 92

Beautiful subterranean caves, with 20,000 year-old cave drawings, from the late paleolithic.


Le Rozier  -  Lozère (48150)

Home of the Vultures - La Maison des Vautours

This site has exibitions and videos for learning about vultures, and an observation platform across from a cliff where vultures nest. There's a wonderful view of the magnificient Jonte Gorges.

Location: Le Truel hamlet, in the Jonte Gorges, 3.7 km east of Le Rozier; 17 km west of Meyrueis.

Open: End of March to beginning of November; about 10h - 17h.

Closed: Mondays in April, May, June, Sept, Oct.

Entry: €6.50 adults; kids (5-12), €3.00

Email: maisondesvautours@hotmail.fr

Web: www.vautours-lozere.com


Saint Cyprien  -  Pyrénées-Orientales (66750)

Seaside town 15 km southeast of Perpignan.

Aquland Saint Cyprien

The Aqualand parks are full-fleged theme parks with water slides and lots of attractions for kids. Saint Cyprien is Mediterranean seaside town 15 km southeast of Perpignan.

Location: Mas des capellans

Open: Every day 15 June - 4 Sept (2013);
10h-18h; 8 July - 25 Aug 10h-19h

Entry: (2013) €26. Kids 5-10 years, €18.50 Kids 3-4 years, €10

Tel: 0468 214 949; Fax: 04.68.21.15.47

Email: aqualand.stcyprien@aqualand.fr

Web: www.aqualand.fr/saint-cyprien/plan-de-parc-7/

Aqualands are very large aquaparks. They have aquaparks at: Bassin d'Arcachon, St Cyprien, Port Leucate, Cap d'Agde, St Cyr-sur-Mer, Sainte Maxime, Frejus.


Sigean  -  Aude (11130)

15 km south of Narbonne, beside Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean coast; 45 km north of Perpignan.

African Reserve of Sigean - Réseerve Africaine de Sigean

Includes a 7.5-km drive through the animal park; 2-3 hour walking tour; guided workshop visits by zoo educators, in English.

Open: Every day, 365 days/year, from 9h00

Tel: 0468 482 020; Fax: 0468 488 085

Web: www.reserveafricainesigean.fr


Villeveyrac  -  Hérault (34)

Valmagne Abbey

12th-century Cistercian abbey, open for tours and wine tasting.

Location: 4 km west of Villeveyrac; 7 km east of Montagnac; 35 km northeast of Béziers

Open: 1 Oct - Easter: daily 14h-18h; Easter - 14 June: weekdays 14h-18h, weekends 10h-18h; 15 June - 30 Sept: daily 10h-18h

Tel: 0467 784 732

Web: beta.valmagne.com

There's an auberge-restaurant on the site (auberge@valmagne.com)


Search Beyond


Site Map Provence Beyond


 Russ photo russ.png After 25 years online, I've decided to remove all Ads from my one-man web Provence Beyond. If the content is enjoyable or useful to you, I would really appreciate your support.