Languedoc Roussillon History

Languedoc is a major touristic area for French people and foreigners. But how has it become a world wide center for festivals and holidays. This a short summary of the regions history that should help us understand its origins...

The Greeks, Phoenicians and then settled first in Languedoc. The region was laterinvaded by the Alamanni, Vandals, Visigoths and Saracens.

During the Middle Ages, Languedoc was known as the "county of Toulouse". It was indeed an independent county which was supposed to be part of the kingdom of France.

In the 12th century, the Cathar religious movement came from Languedoc. The Albigensian Crusade wiped them out since it had been declared heretics by the Church. That is why the county of Toulouse was taken by the crown of France in 1271. It has been part of France ever since.

The name given later to the area was Languedoc, meaning "language of oc" in the local Occitan language. The kings of France made Languedoc one of the provinces of the kingdom.

Later the parliament of Languedoc was established in Toulouse. The French Revolution abolished the parliament and the province.