The document provides information about the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. It discusses the region's geography, bordering other French regions and Spain/Andorra. It also covers the region's history, including the Cathar culture that originated there in the 12th century. Several important Cathar castles that still stand in the region are mentioned. The culture and cuisine of Languedoc-Roussillon is then summarized, including influential troubadours, popular dishes like cassoulet, and the region's significant wine production.

1. Languedoc-Roussillon

2. Region of France
 Country France
 Prefecture Montpellier
 Departments (Aude,Gard,Hérault,Lozère,Pyrénées-Orientales)
 President Damien Alary
 Area Total 27,376 Km2
 Population 2,700,266
 Coin Euro

3.  Etymology
 Geography
 Politics
 Culture
 Sports
 Music
 History
 Cathar culture
 Protocol
 Landmarks

4.  The name of the province of Languedoc originates
from the language spoken in southern France, langue
d'oc, also known as Occitan, and Roussillon, a historic
province in the South of present-day Languedoc-
Roussillon.

5. GEOGRAPHY
The Languedoc-Roussillon region has an area of
27,376 km2 (10,570 sq mi). It borders to the south
with Spain and Andorra; to the east is
theMediterranean Sea (the Gulf of Lion). It also
borders four French regions:Midi-Pyrénées to
the west, Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes to the
north, andProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA)
to the northeast.

6.  At the regional elections in March 2004, the socialist mayor
of Montpellier Georges Frêche, defeated its center-right president.
Since then, Georges Frêche has embarked on a complete overhaul of
the region and its institutions. The flag of the region, which displayed
the cross of Languedoc as well as the Flag of Roussillon(the
"Senyera"), was changed for a new flag with no reference to the old
provinces, except in terms of the colors (red and yellow), which are the
colors of both Languedoc and all the territories from the former Crown
of Aragon.

7. Prior to the 20th century, Occitan was the language spoken in
Languedoc, andCatalan was the language spoken in
Roussillon. Both have been under pressure from French. In
2004, research conducted by the Government of Catalonia
showed that 65% of adults over the age of 15 in Roussilon
could understand Catalan whereas 37% stated they were able
to speak it.[4]
In recent years there have been attempts at reviving of both
languages, including Catalan-medium schooling through
the La Bressola schools.

8. Occitan literature — still sometimes called
Provençal literature — is a body of texts written
in Occitan in what is nowadays the South of
France. It originated in the poetry of the
eleventh- and twelfth- century troubadours, and
inspired the rise of vernacular literature
throughout medieval Europe.

9.  Gastronomy in Languedoc Roussillon
 The unique geographical situation of the Languedoc Roussillon region allows one
to find a wide variety of products within a small area.
 Indeed, located between sea and mountains, Languedoc Roussillon enjoys a perfect
climate for agriculture of any kind and abounds with natural gastronomic wealth:
seafood of all kinds, fruits, vegetables, grains and meats.

10. Choucroute
THEREFORE, THE LANGUEDOC CUISINE IS FAMOUS
FOR ITS VARIETY. ON ONE SIDE, THE SEA-ORIENTED
CUISINE, MAINLY BASED ON FISH AND SHELLFISH,
BOUZIGUES OYSTERS, COD BRANDADE, TIELLE OF
SÈTE, AND ON THE OTHER END, THE INLAND
COUNTRY SIDE THAT PROVIDES MEATS AND CHEESES.
Coq au Vin

11. Cassoulet (the Occitan caçolet) is a regional specialty of the
Languedoc , made from beans dry whites generally and meat. At the
beginning, it was made from beans . Cassoulet takes its name from the
casserole in terracotta glazed manufactured Issel .

12.  The Languedoc-Roussillon region is dominated by 740,300 acres (2,996 km2)
of vineyards, three times the combined area of the vineyards in Bordeaux and
the region has been an important winemaking centre for several centuries.
Grapevines are said to have existed in the South of France since the Pliocene
period - before the existence of Homo sapiens. The first vineyards of Gaul
developed around two towns: Béziers and Narbonne. The Mediterranean
climate and plentiful land with soil ranging from rocky sand to thick clay was
very suitable for the production of wine1980s. .

13. Languedoc-Roussillon has been a major centre of Rugby league in
France since the sport was introduced to the country in the 1930s.
The region is also home of the rugby union teams RC Narbonne
and USA Perpignan.
Montpellier is home to Montpellier HSC, which was founded in
1974 and plays in the Ligue 1, the French top division. It won the
French Championship after the 2011/12 season. Home matches
are played at the Stade La Mosson, named after the area where it
is located, with a capacity of 31,250. It was built in 1998.

14. Aimeric de Peguilhan, Giraut de Bornelh and Bertran de
Born were major influences in troubadour
composition, in the High Middle Ages. The
troubadour tradition is considered to have originated
in the region.
The Romantic music composer Déodat de Séverac
was born in the region, and, following his schooling
in Paris, returned to the region to compose. He
sought to incorporate the music indigenous to the
area in his compositions.

15. CATHAR CULTURE

16. The Catharism was a doctrine dualistic, with two principles
irreconcilable: the well,God, and the bad, the matter. Promoting a
church based on spirituality, purity and charity, as opposed to the
Catholic Church from the 13th century. Thus, to the Cathars, also
called “bons hommes (good men and good women)".
Some of the most relevant characteristics of Catharism are:

17. -Return to a Christianity pure and primitive, based on the word of
Christ.
-The hierarchy was very simple: basically consisted of the perfect
(or pure), which were the preachers and believers. Women could
also be perfect...
-The perfect were austere, humble, and cults.
-They rejected the construction of temples and cathedrals
-Rejected the violence and the penalty of death.

18. -Rejected the pleasures materials, the marriage, the relations
sexual and some food. In practice, the only required to comply
with these prohibitions were the perfect.
-They preached that the religious experience of the knowledge of
God was to be direct and personal, without intermediaries.
-Believe in the reincarnation of the soul.
Some historians and scholars considered the Cathars as authentic
Christians and the medieval Catholic Church as a corrupt
institution. Others, on the contrary, considered that the historical
reality of that time was too complex to talk about good and evil, and
that Catharism had deep contradictions with regard to the Gospel of
Jesus, wanting to follow.

21.  The Cathars were a religious group who appeared in Europe
in the eleventh century, their origins something of a mystery
though there is reason to believe their ideas came from Persia
or the Byzantine Empire, by way of the Balkans and
Northern Italy. Records from the Roman Catholic Church
mention them under various names and in various places.

22. THE ROUTE OF THE
CATHARS CASTLES

24. The construction of the present chateau dates from the 13th century.
The first mention is in 1170; it belonged to the Congost family before
the Albigensian Crusade. These lords practised Catharism and were
accused as heretics. Then, in November 1210, the castle was subjected
for three days to a siege by the army of Thomas Pons de Bruyère,
lieutenant of Simon de Montfort.
The Château de Puivert is a so-called Cathar castle situated in
the commune of Puivert, in the Aude département of France.
This building, on top of a hill overhanging the village and its
lake, reaches an altitude of 605 m.

26.  An unusual arrangement of three castle towers (Las Tours, The Towers) this
fortification belonged to the Lords of Cabaret, who held in fief from the
Trencavels.
 In the thirteenth century there were three towers here, built on the same rocky
outcrop. They are called Cabaret (to the north), Quertinheux and Surdespine
(to the south). These are some of the few original Cathar castles left.
 The Seigneurs of Cabaret received troubadours here, including Raymond de
Miraval and Peire Vidal, who dedicated verses to the Cathar Ladies of the
place.
 During the Cathar Crusade this was one of the most ardent centres of
resistance to the French Crusaders,
LASTOURS CASTLE

28.  Peyrepertuse is a ruined fortress and one of the so-called
Cathar castles located high in the French Pyrénées in the
commune of Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, in the Aude
département, and has been associated with the Counts of
Narbonne and Barcelona. It was the former seigneury of the
Peyrepertusès (in Occitan : Pèirapertusés) which means
"pierced stone."
Peyrepertouse Castle

30. QUERIBÚS CASTLE
 This is sometimes regarded as the last Cathar
stronghold. In a sense it was. After the fall of the Château of
Montségur (Occitan Montsegùr) in 1244 surviving Cathars
gathered together in the Corbières in another mountain-top
stronghold on the border of Aragon (The present border
between the Aude département and the Pyrénées-Orientales
département).

31.  Quéribus is high and isolated. It stands on top of the highest
peak for miles around. From a distance it can be seen on the
horizon, sticking up into the sky.
 It is accessible to visitors. You can drive almost to it, walking
just the last few hundred metres. The entrance to the castle itself
is very steep and narrow – a defensive measure. Notice the
number of arrow slits covering the approach.

33. FOIX CASTLE
 The Château de Foix is a castle in the French département of Ariège. An important
tourist site, it dominates the town of Foix and was once a Cathar Castle. It is listed as
a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.
 In the 12th and 13th centuries the castle had only 2 square towers; the round tower
was only added in the 15th century.
 It was the home of the celebrated family of counts who became the viscount of
Béarn, then kings of Navarre and kings of France..
 In 1002 the castle figured in the testament of Roger the first count of Carcassonne
who bequeathed it to his eldest son Bernard. Bernard Roger is the first to use the title
Comte de Foix. The castle was the count's main residence until 1290.
Foix Castle

35.  The city is famous for the Cité de Carcassonne, a medieval
fortress restored by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-
le-Duc in 1853 and added to the UNESCO list of World
Heritage Sites in 1997.[1] Consequently, Carcassonne greatly
profits from tourism but also counts manufacture and wine-
making as some of its other key economic sectors.

38.  The Château de Montségur is a former fortress near
Montségur, a commune in the Ariège department in
southwestern France. Its ruins are the site of a razed
stronghold of the Cathars. The present fortress on the site,
though described as one of the "Cathar castles," is actually
of a later period. It has been listed as a monument historique
by the French Ministry of Culture since 1862.

42. Pope Innocent III Born 1160 Roma Died 1216 Perugia
Pierre de Castelnau Born Montpellier Died 1208 Saint-Gilles
Raymond IV de Toulouse Born 1156 Saint-Gilles Died 1222 Toulouse
Raimon -Roger de Trencavel Born 1185 Died 1209 Carcassonne

43. French character is attributed to a certain arrogance and attitude of
superiority: it is what is known as the Grandeur. The reality is that
their contributions to the history, culture, art, philosophy, literature
and gastronomy are essential.
PROTOCOL STANDARDS
The form of greeting is the handshake, though not as strong as in
Germany or the United States. When women are greeted not
expect that they offer the hand first. Kisses on the cheeks, known
as encores them, (actually consist stroking her cheek against each
other and kiss the air three times), just

44. They are used in a context of family and friends. It would be very impolite use
with suppliers or customers.
• The expressions are most commonly used greeting Comment allez-
vous? (How are you ?, and more informally bonjour ( "good morning", which is
also used how hello!) Or ca va? (What?)
The deal is formal. To them people are les
presents by the last name, to which precedes
them titles of Monsieur (Mr), Madame (Madam)
and Mademoiselle (Miss)-this last only is used for
girls young and single. These titles are still using
during the conversation to refer to people,
sometimes without adding the surname.
It is essential to treat people you (Vous), even
if you know long time.
• eye contact is very frequent and intense, so
that foreigners who are not accustomed to
looking at the eyes, may be intimidated. The
exchange of cards is usual.
The French include the card their academic
titles, especially if they are from prestigious
schools.

45. • Occasionally, if it can be avoided it is better to not speak
English due to the rivalry they have with the Anglo-Saxon world.
It is preferable to trying to understand in French or in Spanish;
on the other hand, if you do not speak French it is convenient to
apologize for this, since they have great esteem in their
language.
• Is also positive to praise the country in general. Unlike the
Germans who believe that "all German is good", the French
consider that "everything good is French".
• Topics of conversation favorite are the history, the art, the
sports (football and cycling) and gastronomy. You should be
prepared to respond to witty comments on wines of other
countries in relation to the French. Should avoid is talk of
political, money or matters personal.

46. • French cuisine is famous worldwide for the delicacy and variety of their dishes.
In a restaurant, you should not choose the most expensive dish or not forgetting
to praise the gastronomic excellences.
It is good to try their dishes favorite such as snails and oysters. One of the dishes
more typical is the cassoulet, a roast of meat with beans.
At the table they must take care forms. You should not eat or drink in excess.
The lettuce is not cut with the knife, is folded into small pieces. At the end of
the meal is passed a tray of cheese: the norm is that you just once please.

47. Not there is tradition of gifts between companies. In any case, are delivered once it
has come to the agreement - gifts with the logo of the company are not very
appreciated‐.
If he is invited to a House should not be wine or perfume (are their specialty).
Chocolates, liqueurs or flowers (excluding roses or chrysanthemums) can be a good
choice.
NEGOTIATE WITH THE FRENCH
The way of trading is slow. A widely used by French negotiators strategy is to treat
the other party is the plaintiff, which initiate topics; This weakens your position.
• The atmosphere is formal and reserved. Not must do is questions personal or
treat is Affairs considered as confidential (number of business, wages, competitors
etc.).
• Occasionally raise the tone of voice and gesture much. This attitude means,
rather, that they have interest, although it may seem that they are angry.
Is necessary go well prepared to the negotiation and have authority enough to
take decisions on them themes that are discussed. Don't like to have to consult
with the top once it has returned to the country.