Midi-Pyrénées Holiday Guide
French Holiday Property Home > Holiday Guides > Region Guides > Midi-PyrénéesMidi-Pyrénées - offering a feast of different holiday activities
Due to its size and diversity, the Midi-Pyrénées region offers a feast of different holiday activities and locations. Other than seaside, as it is a landlocked region, there is nothing that Midi-Pyrénées cannot offer its visitors. There is history evident in the Cathar castles and lovely bastides, a gloriously unspoilt countryside, a sophisticated main city and excellent ski resorts in the mountains.Top 5 things to see and do in the Midi-Pyrénées
1. Ski or try other mountain sports
The Pyrénéan Mountains are some of the most glorious features of the Midi-Pyrénées region. Stunning from a distance, as the snowy peaks form an impossibly ethereal image against a blue sky, they are also an excellent destination for mountain sports of all types in all seasons. Try your hand at skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, caving, rock climbing or mountain biking. In addition, there are Cathar castles, nature reserves and pre-historic parks to discover.2. Paint
The region is a dream destination for artists and would be artists. Who could fail to be captivated by the rolling fields of golden sunflowers, the vineyards turning red in the autumn, or the sparkling snow-clad mountain peaks? This region has the scenery to inspire anyone.3. Follow the pilgrim trails
There is a deep running thread of spirituality to the Midi-Pyrénées, and the region draws many who wish to experience this for themselves. Whether you head for the town of Lourdes with its healing waters or follow the pilgrim trails to Santiago de Compostela (with or without a donkey) the region provides a very special and different type of holiday.4. Discover the bastide towns
The south-west of France is a rich hunting ground for historical towns, and few are more delightful than the bastide towns of the Midi-Pyrénées. Browsing the stalls of traditional markets in arcaded central squares, such as that of gorgeous little Mirepoix in the Ariège, or visiting the historic centre of Montauban, reputedly the very first bastide town to be built, will take you right back to the Middle Ages.5. The Millau Bridge
This bridge, which opened in December 2004, is a stunning feat of modern engineering. As the tallest vehicle carrying bridge in the world, this is an arresting sight wherever you decide to view it from. You can drive over it, stand near it, take a boat trip under it or even fly over it in a helicopter. Whatever you do, don't forget to go to see it.Top 5 towns and cities in the Midi-Pyrénées
1. Toulouse
Capital of the region and the fourth largest city in the country, Toulouse is a brilliant city. A long weekend will give you plenty of time to explore the historic centre with elegant squares and buildings of the distinctive red brick that give rise to the soubriquet "the rose-coloured town". Toulouse is also the home of an important university, a lively nightlife, great shops and a top rugby team!2. Camon
As different from Toulouse as you can get, Camon is a small village situated in the Ariège department, against the dazzling backdrop of the Pyrénées. Picture book pretty and classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Camon is dominated by a superb old abbey and has bags of charm and atmosphere. The abbey-chateau has been converted into an atmospheric luxury hotel and restaurant and offers the perfect romantic retreat. Talking of romance, Camon is also known as "the village of a hundred rosebushes", and in summer has a stunning proliferation of the beautiful scented flowers topped off with the Rose Festival held in the village every May.3. Ax les Thermes
Ax les Thermes is a little mountain spa town which is of interest to lovers of mountain sports (it has a great ski station with lifts starting in the town itself to save you those tortuous twisting drives up the mountains) and spa treatments. A visit to the hot natural springs that form the "Leper's Pond" is said to cure rheumatism and skin diseases. It's also great fun!4. Mirepoix
This little town in the Ariège is a lovely example of a classic bastide town. It has a delightful, arcaded central square, packed with artisanal shops, bars and restaurants and hosts one of the best markets in the region every Monday morning. Mirepoix is also something of a cultural centre, with a good number of traditional festivals being held there as well as frequent art exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists.5. Cahors
Located in the Lot department in the north-west of the region, Cahors is worth visiting on a number of counts. The town has an abundance of charm and historical sights (among them a wonderful bridge, a lovely cathedral and the remains of a Roman amphitheatre) and is also notable for its fabulous rich, red wine, which is of such a deep colour that it is known as "the black wine of Cahors".Food and drink in the Midi-Pyrénées
This is a region well known and lauded for its rich and delicious gastronomy. Many excellent wines come from the vineyards that cover so much of the land, while every town and locality seems to offer a gastronomic specialty of its own. Toulouse is famed for its sausages, the Aveyron offers creamy Aligot, Roquefort has its exquisite blue cheese. The region's favourite is duck, in all its forms, but there are also massive agricultural areas in the region which produce fabulous fruits and vegetables. The food is hearty and the flavours robust, and there is no shortage of first rate restaurants in which to try this great local cuisine.How to get to the Midi-Pyrénées
Toulouse Airport has a variety of flights going to and from Great Britain, including British Airways, Air France, easyJet, flybe and Jet2. Other airports you might use include Pau, Carcassonne or Rodez, depending on which part of this large region you wish to visit. The Midi-Pyrénées has good rail connections throughout France, and is accessible by the excellent auto route system having several major roads running through it.Holiday Guides to the Departments of Midi-Pyrénées
Ariège Holiday Guide
The Ariège department of the southern Midi-Pyrénées region in south-west France is a stunning natural paradise with wild, untouched landscapes including mountains, lakes, forests, stark Cathar castles and an abundance of wildlife.
Aveyron Holiday Guide
The department of Aveyron has a wild and beautiful countryside, and plays host to a number of historic villages and towns. Ideally suited for those who prefer to holiday in La France Profonde from tailor-made holiday resorts, the department is part of the massive Midi-Pyr&ecute;nées region of south-west France.
Haute-Garonne Holiday Guide
The diverse delights of the Haute-Garonne department of the Midi-Pyrénées region of south-west France mean that whatever type of holiday you are seeking, chances are that you will find the ideal destination within the department. From the great rose-coloured city of Toulouse to the Pyrénéan Mountains and the sunflower-filled plains of the Lauragais, the Haute-Garonne is packed with fantastic holiday activities.
Gers Holiday Guide
The Gers department of the Midi-Pyr&eaucte;nées region of south-west France offers a taste of "la France Profonde", with beautiful, rolling countryside, ancient villages, traditional rural buildings in distinctive Gascon style, and many cultural traditions that continue today as they have for centuries.
Lot Holiday Guide
The department of Lot, in the Midi-Pyrénées region of south-west France, offers country idylls, with rolling meadows, dry stone walls, vineyards, sunflowers, picturesque villages and a rich gastronomy. Less visited than neighbouring Dordogne, the department nevertheless encompasses part of the Dordogne River valley, perfect for escaping the crowds and enjoying outdoor sports holidays.
Hautes-Pyrénées Holiday Guide
The stunning mountainous department of the Hautes-Pyrénées is the most south-westerly part of the Midi-Pyrénées region in south-west France. Dominated by the snowy peaks and slopes of the Pyrénées, the department is also home to character spa towns, lush green meadows, babbling rivers and an important historical, architectural and cultural heritage.
Tarn Holiday Guide
The department of the Tarn is a part of the large Midi-Pyrénées region of south-west France. A department of diverse landscapes, the Tarn has a fascinating history, having been the centre of the Albigensian Crusades, named from the capital city of Albi.
Tarn-et-Garonne Holiday Guide
The department of the Tarn-et-Garonne is part of the Midi-Pyrénées region of the south-west of France. The diverse attractions of the department vary from historic towns like Montauban to wild, untouched terrain, offering a little piece of holiday heaven for everyone, no matter what their tastes and ages.
