The Climate of, and Weather in, the Languedoc:   Wind

Framed by mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, the Languedoc is a windy place.  It is by far the windiest region of France. "C'est le pays du vent", the locals will tell you, "It's the land of wind".  This is why lines of wind turbines are springing up along the coast and inland hilltops. Within the Languedoc, the windiest area is along the coast between Narbonne and the Spanish border.   This makes for good sailing and wind-surfing. 

In France many local winds are accorded names, as they were throughout Europe in ancient times.  These winds arise through the combination of topological and meteorological (often seasonal) factors.  For example the most famous wind, the Mistral is caused by cold northern air being channelled down the Rhône Valley, trapped between the Alps and the Massif central. It then crosses the Mediterranean littoral, delivering Siberian weather conditions to Provence and allegedly driving people mad when it particularly violent and long lived.  The Languedoc lies too far south to suffer from the Mistral, but it has a selection of winds of its own. 

Le Vent Tramontane.  (Tramuntana en Catalan).  The Tramontane wind blows from the north-west in the bas Languedoc and the Roussillon. 

Le Vent Cers. The Cers wind blows from the West or South West in the bas Languedoc. 

Le Vent Scirocco.  The Scirocco or Sirocco wind blows from the south. 

Le Vent Autan.  The Autan wind is a wind of the south-east of France.  It comes in two forms: L'autan blanc and L'autan noir.

Le Vent Marin. The Marin is a warm marine wind from the Mediterranean Sea.