The History of the Languedoc

• Prehistoric Period.  From early geological time to the Iron Age. See also Palaeontology.
• Celts.  Celts in the area and Hannibal's march through the Languedoc.
• Greeks.  BC 600 - 50: Greek colonies set up
• Phoenicians.  BC 560: Phoenician settlements established
• Romans:  BC 60: Start of Roman occupation, including the Domitian Way (Via Domitia), Nîmes with its Maison Carrée and the Pont du Gard, one of several World Heritage sites in the Languedoc.
• Visigoths et al  AD 300 - 500: Invasion by Alamans, Vandals and Visigoths
• Moors.  AD c 700: Occupation by the Moors
• Franks.  AD c 800: Occupation by the Franks.  AD 865: Formation of Catalonia
• Medieval Period.   The Counts of Toulouse. AD 12th Centuty: Troudours establish Occitan as a literary language.  AD 1208 - 1244: Crusades against the Cathars Go to: War against the Cathars.  The Anexation of the Languedoc to France. AD 1276 some of present Languedoc-Russillon under the rule of the king of Majorca.     Mid 13th Century: Languedoc annexed by France.  AD 1300 New border defences to the South.  14th Century: Visits by the Black Prince. Pastel and the Land of Cocaigne.

The post Medieval Period:

• Wars of Religion.  AD 1559: Edict of Nantes granting freedom of worship to Huguenots. AD 1560 - 1600: Wars of Religion
• Treaty of the Pyrenees.  AD 1659 France aquires the Roussillon under the Treaty of the Pyrenees
• Canal du Midi.  AD 1666: work starts on the Canal du Midi. Click here to go to a page about the Canal
• French Revolution onwards.  Click here for information on the following:   AD 1789: French Revolution.    AD 1875: Phylloxera destroys vines.    AD 1939: Refugees flood in from Spain towards the end of the Spanish Civil War.   AD 1939-45: 2nd World War War and the Vichy Government.
• The Second World War: Click on the following link for more on the Maquis and Allied OSS operations in the Languedoc