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MIDI-PYRENEES REGION

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Midi-Pyrénées is largest region of Metropolitan France. It is a rich agricultural region with a dynamic capital, Toulouse. It is a land of many rivers and includes a large portion of the Pyrenees mountain range. Toulouse has experienced massive growth since the headquarters of aviation giant Airbus were established there in the 1980’s. The fastest growing city in Europe, greater Toulouse area is set to surpass Lyon as France’s third most populous city. Midi-Pyrénées is a region that is worth spending time exploring. It is the heartland of the south of France. Less glamorous, but more earthy than Provence, the region is full handsome towns, ancient villages and picturesque countryside. Rugby is almost a religion in Midi-Pyrénées with major teams such as Stade Toulousain and Olypmpique Castres enjoying a huge following and considerable success. There is good skiing and hiking to be had in the Pyrénées Mountains as well as a number of excellent spa towns. Toulouse is easy to reach from Paris and from the UK with several direct daily flights. There are also several air connections out of Toulouse to North Africa and the US.

Toulouse | Haut Garonne | Midi-Pyrénées | 31000
Toulouse is capital of the Midi-Pyrénées Region and was born during the Roman Empire. It was a major colony of Roman Gaul 2,000 years ago, becoming a major trading centre for wine. After the Romans it passed from the Visigoths to the Franks and then changed hands between various royal families throughout the middle ages. Toulouse gained prosperity during the renaissance through the production of Woad (a plant from which blue dye was made). This was an incredibly valuable commodity in Europe at the time and the prosperity it brought is reflected in the fine architecture from that period. A cheaper alternative to woad was eventually found and Toulouse went into a slow decline that has only recently been turned around by the aviation industry. Toulouse Blagnac Airport is the headquarters for the giant Airbus consortium who manufacture the A380 Super Jumbo. The high tech revolution has had a dramatic effect on the economy creating unprecedented growth for the city. It is about to displace Lille as France’s 4th largest city (metropolitan area). The city has a vibrant culture, assisted in no small way by the huge student population. Toulouse is synonymous with rugby with ‘Stade Toulousain’ dominating the French championship for many years. Toulouse is served by the TGV and Autoroute, has an international airport and is also linked to the Canal du Midi.

Albi | Tarn | Midi-Pyrénées | 81000
Albi is the principle town in the Department of Tarn. Albi was founded during the bronze age (prior to the Roman Empire) making it a very old town. It was a major centre of Cathar resistance to the Catholic Church during the middle ages. This resistance was brutally crushed by the Church and northern nobles in what was known as the Albigesian Crusades where thousands were massacred for their faith. Today Albi is a pleasant and attractive provincial city that makes an excellent base for exploring the Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon regions.

Auch | Gers | Midi-Pyrénées | 32000
The attractive town of Auch is the prefecture of the Gers Department in Midi Pyrénées, one of the most traditional regions of France. People from the Gers have the greatest longevity in France which they put down to their consumption of the local red wine and brandy (Armagnac) as well as a diet heavily reliant upon duck. Like many towns of similar size in the Midi (south) Auch has a good rugby team. Auch was the location for popular French movie ‘Le Bonheur est dans le Pre’ which starred French soccer legend Eric Cantona as a rugby player.

Cahors | Lot | Midi-Pyrénées | 46000
Cahors is located on the River Lot in the Midi Pyrénées Region of southern France. It has been an important trading town for centuries, pre dating the Roman era. The town has a population of around 25,000 with wine being one of the principle industries, producing a highly prized red. Tourism is important with many visitors coming to see the well preserved medieval quarter and impressive medieval bridge spanning the River Lot.

Castres | Tarn | Midi-Pyrénées | 81100
Castres is a provincial city in the Languedoc area. It has had its share of trials and tribulations throughout history. Plagues and religious turmoil (Catharism and Protestantism) over the centuries have battered Castres (like many towns of the south). Its survival is testament to its resilient people and became a major centre for textile production during the industrial revolution. It also was the birthplace of the French union movement. Castres is economically dominated by the Pierre Fabre Group (pharmaceuticals). Castres Olympique, the local rugby club (founded in 1898) figures strongly in the French national competition.

Foix | Ariège | Midi-Pyrénées | 09000
Foix is a handsome medieval city located in the Eastern Pyrénées not far from Andorra and Spain. The town is watched over by a Medieval castles and surrounded by high mountain peaks making for an impressive setting. It is a good base from which to explore this end of the Pyrénées. Foix is 90km from Toulouse and 240km from Barcelona.

Rocamadour | Lot | Midi-Pyrénées | 46500
Rocamadour is a village built in the 10th Century into the side of the Alzou Gorge around a shrine to the Virgin Mary. It has been an important site for Christian pilgrims for centuries. Religious significance aside, Rocamadour is a fascinating place for its location and architecture. It is a worthwhile stop when traveling between Toulouse and the Dordogne area.

Rodez | Aveyron | Midi-Pyrénées | 12000
Rodez is a small city in the Midi Pyrénées region of southern France. It is a quiet backwater that like many towns in the south has had a turbulent past. A Roman town for several centuries, it was then fought over during the Wars of Religion. It was ruled by the counts of Toulouse and remains in that city’s shadow today. This is the place where Roquefort cheese is made and is good base for exploring the Tarn Gorges, Rocamadour, the Dordogne and seeing the incredible Viaduc Millau, the world’s tallest bridge opened in 2006.

Tarbes | Hautes-Pyrénées | Midi-Pyrénées | 65000
Tarbes is the Prefecture of the Hautes-Pyrénées Departement at the foot of the central Pyrénées mountains. It is an attractive and well laid out town with a view of the snow capped Pyrénées.

Getting there
By road with Viamichelin.com routeplanner
By air via Toulouse, Rodez, Carcassonne, Pau
By rail from Paris