A relatively new addition to France, the Midi-Pyrénées was created to surround the cultural capital of Toulouse in the late 1970s. You might think that its relative youth would mean the Midi-Pyrénées is short on character or identity, but remember, this is France we’re talking about – the whole country is steeped in history and tradition. Encompassing parts of Gascony, Languedoc, the Gers and several others, you’ll get a varied slice of the whole French experience here, not least if you stay at one of our beautiful chateaux in the Midi-Pyrénées! And if you want to discover the best of what the region has to offer, our Midi-Pyrénées travel guide is here to show you where to go, what to eat and how you can make the best of your break with some amazing activities.
Why Visit
The Midi-Pyrénées defies simple summations. Perhaps that’s because of its size: this region takes up a substantial slab of southwestern France that is about as big as Denmark, after all. Its largest city is Toulouse, which has all the great culture, glorious architecture and first-class attractions befitting of – and often transcending – its size. Outside of Toulouse, there is pleasingly little in the way of urban development, but rather lush rural landscapes well-suited to hiking and outdoor activity. Serenity seekers tend to go north where gently rolling hills, wooded valleys and rivers lend themselves well to relaxing, away-from-it-all escapes, while adventurers tend to head to the Pyrenees down south, where wilder more dramatic terrain awaits.
The Typical Sights
- Moissac – Inspect the famous carved frieze at the Romanesque Abbaye Saint-Pierre.
- Lourdes – Visit the pilgrimage site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in 1858.
- Musée Goya – Survey Spanish artworks at this exceptional museum in Castres.
- Roquefort – See the caves where this famously pungent cheese is matured.
- Pic du Midi – Admire the views from this cloud-skimming mountaintop complex.
- Place du Capitole – Join the locals for a drink on the café terraces on Toulouse’s main square.
- Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile – Marvel at the scale of Albi’s red-brick behemoth.
- Pont Valentré – Stroll across the famous 14th-century bridge.
- Chateau de Montségur – See the ruins of the Cathar castle, which is said to have once held the Holy Grail.
When To Visit
Like much of the South of France, the Midi-Pyrénées is blessed with the kind of warm, sunny climate that has Brits reaching for their passports. It’s at its hottest during July and August when average maximum temperatures rise to the late 20s, though cooler nights provide welcome relief.
Holidaymakers planning to spend most of their time out and about may be more comfortable arriving between early April and late June or in September and October, when temperatures are just a few degrees lower. Spring and autumn both have unique draws: in spring, the orchards blossom and flowers bloom, while autumn sees the landscape covered in a carpet of myriad rust-coloured hues.
Winter in the Midi-Pyrénées means ski season, and resorts such as Grand Tourmalet are the snow-covered destination of choice for beginners and pros alike. Further north away from the high-altitude slopes of the Pyrenees, things are a little milder though you can still expect bright, frosty days.
Getting Around
- Airports: You can fly to Toulouse–Blagnac Airport, Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport, Rodez–Marcillac Airport or Castres–Mazamet Airport.
- Public transport: Rail connections from Toulouse link up the regional capital with other major stations, including Albi, Lourdes, Rocamadour and Millau, among others. Check here for further information on rail routes, timetables and ticket prices.
- By Bike: This is Tour de France territory and a fantasy land for keen cyclists. If you don’t want to test your legs on gruelling cols (mountain passes), steer away from the Pyrenees peaks and opt for more casual, less hilly cycle routes. The relatively flat path along the Canal des Deux Mers, for instance, or the low-traffic Lot Valley véloroutes offer easy to moderate cycling that’s perfect for pottering cyclists.
- On foot: With more than 30,000 kilometres of waymarked footpaths, the Midi-Pyrénées is walking country par excellence. The Le Puy, Arles and Pyrenean Foothills routes of the famous St. James’s Way pilgrimage all converge here before continuing through the Pyrenees and into Spain en route to Santiago de Compostela.
- Hiring a car: If you’re arriving by TGV or by air, you’ll probably want to pick up your car in Toulouse. Car hire agencies such as Avis and Hertz have branches in the airport and near the main rail station.
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