  We present the first cross-identifications of sources in the near-infrared
DENIS survey and in the micro-lensing EROS survey in a field of about 0.5
square degrees around the optical center (OC) of the Large Magellanic Cloud. We
analyze the photometric history of these stars in the EROS data base and obtain
light-curves for about 800 variables. Most of the stars are long period
variables (Miras and Semi-Regulars), a few Cepheids are also present. We also
present new spectroscopic data on 126 asymptotic giant branch stars in the OC
field, 30 previously known and 96 newly discovered by the DENIS survey. The
visible spectra are used to assign a carbon- (C-) or oxygen-rich (O-rich)
nature to the observed stars on the basis of the presence of molecular bands of
TiO, VO, CN, C2. For the remaining of the stars we used the (J-Ks) color to
determine whether they are O-rich or C-rich. Plotting Log(period) versus Ks we
find three very distinct period-luminosity relations, mainly populated by
Semi-Regular of type a (SRa), b (SRb) and Mira variables. Carbon-rich stars
occupy mostly the upper part of these relations. We find that 65% of the
asymptotic giant branch population are long period variables (LPVs).
