The pink city, episcopal towns, the Vermilion Coast and Pyrenean peaks: Occitanie unfolds a rare variety. Here is the guide to visiting it, from mountains to sea.
Born from the merger of Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon, Occitanie stretches from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean. The pink city and art towns, vineyards, beaches and hilltop villages mingle here under a generous sun. To visit Occitanie, this guide gathers the essentials, from Toulouse to the coves of the Vermilion Coast.
Why visit Occitanie?
Few regions offer such a palette: you pass from the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees to the coastal beaches, from the Cathar towns to the vineyards of the Languedoc, sometimes following the peaceful Canal du Midi, a UNESCO site. It is also a land of character, proud of its langue d’oc, its rugby and its generous table. With thirteen departments and some of the sunniest weather in France, it is also a region where life is good: a mild climate, dense heritage and nature within easy reach, summer and winter alike.
Toulouse, the pink city
The regional capital, Toulouse, owes its nickname to the terracotta brick that pinks its façades. On the banks of the Garonne, admire the Pont-Neuf, the Saint-Sernin basilica (the largest Romanesque church in Europe) and the Capitole square. A student and aerospace city — cradle of Airbus — Toulouse pulses with joyful energy.
From the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean
The Vermilion Coast
In the south, where the Pyrenees plunge into the sea, Collioure lines up its colourful houses around its emblematic bell tower. This Catalan port charmed Matisse and Derain, fathers of Fauvism. The Vermilion Coast unrolls coves and terraced vineyards to the Spanish border.
The Pyrenees
At the other end, the Pyrenees offer grandiose landscapes: the Cirque de Gavarnie, a UNESCO site, the Pic du Midi and its panoramas, or Lourdes, a major pilgrimage site. Hiking in summer, skiing in winter: the mountains are lived all year round.
Art towns and heritage
Albi and its episcopal city
On the banks of the Tarn, Albi spreads out its episcopal city, a UNESCO site, dominated by the imposing Sainte-Cécile cathedral, the largest brick cathedral in the world. The city is also that of Toulouse-Lautrec, whose museum holds the richest collection of his work.
Carcassonne, Pont du Gard and Canal du Midi
Occitanie holds some of the most famous monuments in France. The city of Carcassonne, Europe’s largest medieval fortress, and the Pont du Gard, a three-tiered Roman aqueduct, are unmissable. We devote guides to them: Carcassonne and the Pont du Gard.
Local food and traditions
Occitanie is a land of festivals and gastronomy. The markets overflow with produce from the South-West and the Languedoc, and the férias punctuate the summer. The region cultivates conviviality, around a well-laden table and a glass of local wine.
« In Occitanie you go from eternal snow to the beaches in a single day — and the accent never leaves the sun. »
What to eat in Occitanie
The cassoulet of Castelnaudary or Toulouse, the Toulouse sausage, the foie gras of the Gers, the aligot of the Aubrac and the Bouzigues oysters make a feast. For wines, Cahors, Gaillac or Corbières accompany the meal. See our recipe for cassoulet.
- Wander the most beautiful villages in France
- Explore the city of Carcassonne
- Admire the Pont du Gard
- Cruise the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO site
Practical tips for your trip
Occitanie can be visited year-round, but spring and autumn offer the softest light and less crowded sites. Summer is ideal for the coast and mountains, hotter inland. Given the size of the region, choose two bases — for example Toulouse for the west and Montpellier or Carcassonne for the east — to limit driving. A car is valuable for the hinterland and the Pyrenees; the TGV serves Toulouse, Montpellier and Nîmes from Paris. Pack good shoes for the mountains and book early in summer on the coast, which is very popular.
Hilltop villages and wide-open spaces
Beyond its cities, Occitanie hides villages among the most beautiful in France and grandiose natural spaces. Cordes-sur-Ciel, perched on its hill, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, suspended above the Lot, or Conques, a major stop on the Camino de Santiago, charm with their stone lanes and silence. Nature lovers will head for the Tarn gorges, the Cévennes national park (a UNESCO site), the wild causses plateaus or the plane-shaded Canal du Midi. To the south, the Camargue gardoise and its lagoons extend the magic. These sites are discovered at the pace of small roads: allow time, for every bend reveals a panorama. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions, between soft light and peaceful villages. One thing is certain: in Occitanie, the hinterland is worth as much as the coast, and it is often there that the region’s heart beats.
In short
From the mountains to the sea, Occitanie offers a concentrate of landscapes, heritage and the art of living. Continue with our directory of regions, browse cities to visit and map your route on the interactive map.
