Welcome to Midi - Pyrénées
Occupying one of the largest parts of France, this region has many areas worth spending a few days in. It is one of the most visited regions in the country because of the great number of cultural, historical, and gastronomic points it has.
It is worth noting that Rocamadour is the second most visited place in France, and that together with Lourdes, they are two main centres of pilgrimage for Christians.
It currently belongs to the region of Occitania together with Languedoc-Rousillon, although it is commonly known as the Midi-Pyrénées. Its capital is Toulouse, a city where you will be able to enjoy a lot of activities, as well as points of cultural interest.
A great option when it comes to travelling that we are sure will not leave you indifferent, we are waiting for you!
If you want to enjoy this region, you should know that you are in one of the biggest regions of the country, where the list of things to enjoy are proportional to its size. There are all kinds of activities with which you can learn a little more about the history and culture of Midi-Pyrénées.
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What to see
If you decide to travel to this region we congratulate you on your choice as you will find a lot of unique corners. It is the biggest region of France, it has Toulouse as its capital and it is organised in eight departments, each one of them with its peculiarities, and with a lot of hidden spots to visit.
You will find here many famous places, more specifically you will find here the “25 Great Places”, which are the best places to visit during your stay in the Midi-Pyrénées. Among them we highlight Saint-Lizier or Albi and Moissac in terms of towns and cities, and the natural spaces, the Canal de Midi, the Dordogne valley crossed by the river of its same name, or the caves of Mas d'Azil and Niaux that you can visit in the department of Ariège.
Of course, you can't forget about its gastronomy, where you will find another way to enjoy the culture, filling your palate with traditional flavours and smells.
There is always a perfect plan for any kind of trip.
What to eat
The variety of landscapes in this region means that the products are also very varied, and their different flavours mean that you can enjoy a different delicious speciality at the table in each department.
We highlight the famous cheese Tomo de Couserans from the department of Ariège, which can be made from cow, sheep or goat and is delicious. From the department of Aveyron we recommend trying mashed potatoes elaborated with the cheese we have just mentioned. This very famous and world-renown dish is called aligot.
Foie gras in Gert, cassoulet in Haute Garonne, the sausages of Tarn and another of the star cheeses, Rocamadour de Lot, all of these you will need to add to you order in any restaurant of this area.
For those who like sweets, we recommend a trip to the Hautes Pyrénées, where ordering the gateau à la broche is a real culinary experience. A touch of rum and vanilla that will not leave your memories easily. But there are also less consistent options in Tarn et Garonne, as this is an area where fruit such as Claude's plums or apples are grown.
Try them all if you can!
Nature
The variety of things you can do in this area is quite wide, being able to visit the most impressive natural places, such as the Canal de Midi, one of the most impressive canals you can find in the French territory and which you can visit on a boat trip. Ideal to enjoy as a couple or with children.
We will find another activity for the most curious ones underground. There are some charming caves that you must discover. The Cave of Niaux is an authentic natural and heritage jewel, since in its walls are home to cave paintings, or the cave of Mas d'Azil that was populated by several communities in the Prehistoric period.
For Catholics, the Sanctuary of Lourdes, where you can see three important basilicas and visit the Grotto of the Apparitions. Earlier we mentioned Rocamadour, another of the country's places of religious worship par excellence.
But if you are not going to spend many days in the area, and yet you want to get to know its culture in depth, there is nothing like doing so at the tradition and customs Museum of Forges de Pyrène.
Our festivities
As you have seen, each area has its own typical product and the reason why is that gastronomy is a very important part of the culture of this region.
That is why there are many local festivals that focus on their star products, which are mixed with the typical dances and music of each corner of this region. It is a festival of colours and smells in which to discover the most delicious part of their culture.
There are festivals held at different times of the year depending on the harvest that has recently taken place. There are festivals celebrating melons, plums, apples and even violets! In all of them you will find stands in the streets that are enlivened by traditional music.
But in the capital, Toulouse, there are plenty of big-name festivals such as one that celebrates Spanish flamenco music, with lots of internationally recognized artists invited every year.
As for art, in May and June there is another festival that revolves around art that takes place in the Garonne area. Live this experience!
