Let's discover the Occitania

We start today a series of articles rather nice and fun, I announce, drum roll: a Régiontrip of France!
For our first step we’re going to Occitania!
Particularly known for its gastronomy, Occitania contains a diversity of landscapes, exceptional places, exciting activities and history. Let’s go together to discover all that this region has to offer.

We could not speak of Occitania without mentioning its numerous cities and villages that have remained fortified as in the Middle Ages.
Rocamadour in the Lot, Collioure in the Pyrénées-Orientales, Corde sur ciel in the Tarn and Ste Eulalie d’Olt in the Aveyron come to mind.

For those looking to explore the big cities, we will mention Toulouse in Haute-Garonne or Albi in the Tarn to the west and, closer to the sea, Aigues-Mortes and its saltworks in the Gard, Nîmes and Arles and their perfectly preserved arenas in the Gard and the Bouches du Rhône. Don’t forget to discover Montpellier and its beautiful Arc de Triomphe as well as its Saint-Pierre cathedral. Especially since you will be in the cradle of StyQR.

Occitania is one of the most representative and conservative regions of our past. It is not surprising to come face to face with the Cathar castles or to visit the city of Carcassonne and its fortified ramparts. Remnants of man’s evolution in relation to hydraulics, the Pont du Gard and the Millau Viaduct are also visible in Occitania.

For nature lovers, we can say that Occitania is a paradise. Occitania contains all the landscapes that we can imagine. There are the mountains with the Pyrenees, the sea with the Mediterranean coast but not only, we also find a relatively present countryside side.

Numerous hiking and mountain biking trails are accessible and can lead to exceptional viewpoints such as the Pic du Midi, the Mont Canigou or the Cirque de Gavarnie in the Pyrenees. In the same spirit, it is possible to go canoeing in the middle of the Tarn or Aveyron gorges. For the more curious one can go and discover the underground secrets of the region by exploring the Gouffre de Padirac in the Lot department. Therefore, it is essential to recommend you  Cirkwi, the perfect guide for all your excursions.

In spite of the historical and conservative aspect of the region, it gathers all the family activities that can gather young and old. Many zoological parks are present in the region. There are also leisure centers and water parks, especially around natural lakes. Perfect for a weather that always lends itself to it in summer. For space and astronomy enthusiasts, the Cité de l’Espace located in Toulouse will meet all your expectations. And while you’re in the pink city, you might as well stroll along the Canal du Midi for a few hours. Finally, the Jazz in Marciac festival is the right compromise to enjoy a beautiful summer evening.

What would this article be if we didn’t talk about gastronomy? The region’s reputation is based on its gastronomy and even more so on its diversity. First of all, the markets are an integral part of the weekly activity of the region. Each city has its own day, but all have one. Among the most beautiful in Occitania, we can name the market of Cahors, Revel or the market of the market halls in Sète. Then it is a good idea to eat in a restaurant supplied by local producers. Traditional dishes based on duck such as duck breast or foie gras for the western side of the region when we will eat rather seafood such as the brasucade of mussels but also the famous fougasse with fritons on the eastern side!

Our tour of Occitania ends here. I hope that you have learned more about this beautiful region and all that it has to offer and that it has made you want to discover it yourself!

Of course, don’t forget to list all the activities you miss in your welcome booklet so that your visitors don’t miss out on an enjoyable experience.