European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 17, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tell Wev   o face abase he Beach at Colli Oure a historic town at the southwestern end of the Languedoc Roussillon Region of France. At right a scene from Pii Tudesque Amelie Les Bains one of the area s Inland spa towns. Warm Welcome awaits visitors Languedoc Roussillon Frenchi Jcj of a Quot this old Ronian Arena in mimes on the Eastern Edge of Languedoc is still used for concerts and other outdoor i  Barbara Shea new Day Quot this area is soon going to be the California of Europe Quot promised the tanned Young englishman who showed us through the new Villas that Are rising amid the vineyards near Loueve France. Whether or not a French Malibu Ever materializes the Little known Region of Languedoc Roussillon does a eem to be heading for its place in the Sun. Modern vacation Homes Are sprouting Between the centuries old villages where ancient Stone houses Are acquiring English and american owners. Tourism has been growing steadily in the Rural area on the Mediterranean about 200 Miles West of the choicest stretch of French Riviera. A reputation for Low prices is just one reason for the tourism Boom the scenery is impressive and the local tourist office claims that the Region enjoys 300 cloudless Days a ear. Equally appealing Are the sunny dispositions of the villagers who patiently endure halting conversations in High school French and Geni Aik Lav ish Southern hospitality on foreigners. Transportation is another Factor. The province now is Rasih accessible via the High Speed Tiv train network and the French Domestic airline. Air inter. High Speed motorways also enable fast runs to Paris in to other countries in Europe. I his season s trav Elers w ill hav e extra help thanks to a National Campaign aimed at boosting tourism beyond Paris. France has declared 1990 As the year i the French prov inces. And More than a thousand Quot Welcome centers Quot staffed with English speaking personnel Are being set up in Tram stations regional tourist otties and other principal Contact Points for trav Elers such As hotels and car rental offices. The Hope is that the provinces will become established destinations for non French vacationers by 1 992, when Europe becomes a United economic Community. Languedoc Roussillon is Likely to Benefit More than other French regions that year since the summer olympics Are scheduled in Barcelona spam about 200 Miles South and sports lovers no doubt will spill Over the Border to discover what is locally referred to As the Sunbelt of France. Descriptions get complicated since the sprawling Languedoc Roussillon Region a larger than allot Belgium a is known by Many names. Within it Are a half dozen administrative divisions or department to further confuse matters the French who live within 50 Miles or so of the Spanish Border still consider themselves to be catalan. Until 1939, Spanish Catalonia was an autonomous Region with its own Laws and language. Four provinces in Spain including Barcelona still speak catalan which dates to medieval times and that identity is still embraced by those in the area of France that once was part of Catalonia. It is reflected in their Independent spirit their cuisine and their unusual pronunciations of French words. \ of will not see the lavish mansions of the Riv Iera in Languedoc Roussillon but the area has its share or major attractions. They include Carcassonne in the Foothills of the pyrenees Europe s largest fortified City. For centuries it served As the Border Between the lands that Are now France and Spain. Although every other doorway seems to be framed with postcards and souvenirs for Sale Carcassonne is still an impressive spot. Double Walls punctuated a 52 towers enclose the Castle and town which is 8 stripes Magazine May 17, 1990