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Midi-Pyrénées

Pictured Above: The Canal du Midi

Set in the heart of Southwestern France, Midi-Pyrénées is filled with stunning landscapes, ancient architecture, and natural phenomena. From the Pyrenees to the valley of the Dordogne, and from Gascony to the Gorges du Tarn, the Midi-Pyrénées boasts rich cultural, historical and natural heritage sites. Sail down the tree-lined Canal du Midi, a UNESCO world heritage site which was originally built as a shortcut between the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea running from Toulouse to the Mediterranean port of Sète. In Ville-franche-de-Rouergue, discover cave dwellings from prehistoric times, ancient castles, Romanesque and Gothic churches, monasteries and abbeys, and royal walled towns left from the Middle Ages. Perfectly poised above the Alzou gorge, Rocamadour is a sanctuary and place of pilgrimage in the sky. Next, take an extraordinary journey through a world of strangely formed rocks in Montpellier le Vieux in the Aveyron département, where water and wind have sculpted contorted shapes out of the grey stones of the Causses Noir. Come closer to the stars than you’ve ever been in Pic du Midi, a mountain in the French Pyrenees famous for its astronomical observatory. Before ending your journey, a visit to Toulouse is a must. This old and ornate city in France has a long and rich history waiting to be discovered.

Highlights
Départements: Ariège, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot, Tarn, and Tarn-et-Garonne.

Capital: Toulouse

Good to Know:
-Today, the main industries in Toulouse are aeronautics, space, electronics, information technology and biotechnology.
-Midi-Pyrénées is the largest région by area in metropolitan France.