European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 17, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A View of the Mediterranean coast from the Hills that Overlook the old port of Colli Oure a River winds through the base of a Gorge a popular resort town. A it Languedoc Roussillon. Home to hundreds of modern Day French citizens. On the Eastern Edge of Languedoc at Nimes visitors can explore imposing monuments from roman times. The nearby cities of Arles and Avignon also noted for their roman ruins Are technically in the adjoining Provence Region East of Nimes toward Marseilles wild horses roam the marshy area known As the Ca Margue. Farther Inland Are mountains lakes and deep Gorges where country resorts Thermal spas Riding centers and guest houses called gites abound. Seaside villages run the Gamut along the 100 Miles of Sandy Shoreline a labelled the Cote vermeille or Vermillion coast for the area s deep red Clay. Resort towns Don t come any More charming than Colli Oure once a phoenician port and Long designated a National historic site. Matisse Chagal Picasso and Dali All painted the waterfront Bell Tower and the twisting streets Are filled with galleries and shops. At the other extreme Are Mammoth Leisure centers Complete with casinos and discos a such As la Grande Motte near Montpellier. There vacationers can rent quarters in Pyramid shaped hotels that undoubtedly were considered outrageously futuristic when they were built 20 years ago. In mid summer rates run $380 to $1,000 a week in the off season they re reduced by about half. New buildings in every French province must now conform to regional master plans. Thus a More tasteful though equally overwhelming resort is la Cap d age at age sur Imer an area that some say is poised to be the next St. Tropez. The ancient City of age a the oldest in France after Marseilles a is about a 10-minute drive from the Beach resort. It is still mainly a quiet commercial town however. It remembers its origins As an old greek fishing port on the Herault River with a statue of a greek goddess with flowing Toga. The name age too reportedly was simply compiled from the first third fourth and fifth letters of the greek alphabet Alpha Gamma Delta Epsilon. No one knows what happened to the second letter Beta. Only a few Miles Inland Languedoc s commercial clutter gives Way to neat farms and tiny villages tha Appeal to unpretentious types who prefer to unwind on strolls along avenues of ancient plane tree amid Groves of olives or flowering cherries. The huge planes relatives of american sycamores and Beechwoods Shade cafe tables and Village churchyards evoking scenes you be seen in pain Ings hanging in countless museums. American style supermarkets sprawl at the outskirts of larger towns and those who prefer o pretend they be never left Home can buy picnic fixings sealed in plastic. More atmospheric shopping awaits however in medium size Market towns. Each has its appointed weekly Market Day when vendors spread their wares on tables set up in the streets which Are closed to traffic and buyers and Sellers from surrounding villages come to Trade and gossip. You can drop by the local wine cooperative with an empty bottle and have it filled with any of a variety of Fine local wines for less than a Dollar. Tourist information is minimal in the Region but the Beauty is making discoveries on your own. There Are tourist offices in age Clermont i Herault and Montpellier that can provide sketchy maps and a few brochures in English outlining driving itineraries. From easter until november you also can rent a Houseboat and cruise leisurely on the canal do Midi canal de Rhone a sete or the canal de la Robine. The University town of Montpellier also capital of the Languedoc Region is easily Worth a Day s visit a perhaps on the Way to or from its International Airport. The University dates to the 11 the Century when the medical school was founded. The place de la comedies rimmed with 17th and 18th-Century buildings is filled with cafes where students and visitors take a break and watch the passing Parade. In the City s new Antigone District catalan architect Ricardo Bofill s giant scale buildings afford about eight floors of living space behind facades that appear to be Only four stories High. The design trick was meant to disguise out of proportion skyscrapers in a Low profile City but somehow make you feel like a tiny Gulliver in giant size Brood Ingnal. The rest of the time you Are Likely to feel that this hospitable Region fits your vacation wishes to a tee. A free 72-Page France discovery guide with sightseeing information itineraries and special programs and packages guaranteed in . Dollars through 1990 is available from the French tourist office at 610 fifth ave., suite 222, new York . 100202452. In France travellers can get information in English by calling toll free 05-201 -202 monday through saturday from 10 . To 6 . That Telephone service will be available through oct. 15. A amps rile the old fortress Walls of Carcassonne in the Foothills of the pyrenees. Double Walls with 52 towers surround the Castle and town. May 17, 1990 stripes Magazine