The Midi-Pyrenees is the largest of the French regions and is are something of a grab-bag collection of Departments centred loosely on Toulouse and consisting of Ariège, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne.
It stretches from the Pyrenees in the south up to Lot in the north, hemmed in by the Pyrenees-Atlantique to the west and the Pyrenees-Orientale to the east. It's sheer size makes for a wealth of different sights and activities thoughout the year.
There are numerous castles and chateaux right across the region with many famous ones such as Montsegur and Rennes-le-Chateau from the Da Vinci Code book and film but even more lesser known ones. It's also home to the Canal du Midi of course which stretches from Toulouse to the Mediterranean.
Amongst the collection of Les Plus Beaux Villages in this region are Autoire, Auvillar, Belcastel, Brousse-le-Château, Bruniquel, Camon, Cardaillac, Carennac, Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Conques, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Espalion, Estaing, La Couvertoirade, La Roque-sur-Cèze, Lacapelle-Marival, Lautrec, Lauzerte, Loubressac, Monestiés, Montréal-du-Gers, Najac, Puycelci-Grésigne, Rieux-Volvestre, Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Saint-Côme-d'Olt, Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt, Saint-Lizier, Sarrant and
Sauveterre-de-Rouergue.
The popularity of the region means many airport options including Carcassonne (CCF) and Toulouse (TLS) but numerous others lie just outside the region offering a wealth of choices.
The rail network is extensive but don't forget that the highspeed trains radiate out from Paris so whilst the high speed TGV trains will get you from Paris in under six hours, it can take quite a while going from Toulouse to Carcassonne.
Family run accommodation
These are places where you can find the level of personal service that you thought had long since gone. Places like bed and breakfasts (B&B), pensions, guest houses, self-catering accommodation and vacation rental homes.
Inns for You in Midi-Pyrenees
Le Pays des Bastides Albigeoises
The largest region in France, Midi Pyrenees is an essentially rural area, stretching some 400km from the highlands of the Massif Central in the north, to the crests of the Pyrenees, on the Spanish border, in the south. Located between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, it is often referred to as 'the region where the living is good'.
Unlike many regions of France, Midi-Pyrénées is not a histor...
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Last updated 07 Apr 2012
Holy place of pilgrimage - Lourdes
Ever since the young French girl, Bernadette Soubirous, witnessed a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in a grotto in the village of Lourdes back in 1858 the town has become a destination for pilgrims from all over the world.
Lourdes is situated in the Dept 65 of the Haute Pyrenees in the region of the beautiful Midi Pyrenees.
In 1858 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous experienced 18 visions ...
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Last updated 11 Apr 2008
Foix
The town of Foix is dominated by the castle which towers over it and offers superb views of the surrounding countryside.
The town itself is quite charming although, aside from the castle, there aren't any particular sights to be seen. Each Friday morning the town hosts a very lively market which takes up the majority of the parking spots near the centre.
The castle is very accessible with no...
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Last updated 1 Nov 2007
Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi starts in Toulouse and finishes up near Sete some 240 kilometres later passing through some terrific scenery that you'll glimpse little of when travelling by car.
A trip along the canal whilst steering your own canal boat is something that you should do at least once in your life to experience a much more laid back lifestyle and to see some of the more ancient parts of France....
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Last updated 1 Nov 2007
