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Midi-Pyrenees, France

Make the most of your time in Midi-Pyrenees, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links to plan your visit.

France’s southern Midi-Pyrenees province is a land of two distinct halves; there is the prominent modern capital, Toulouse, and the rural and mountainous surroundings which make up the rest of the region. Midi-Pyrenees is the largest division in France and, thanks to the presence of Toulouse, is home to influential aeronautical and space industries, as well as the famous miracle healing site at Lourdes.

As its name suggests, the region is flanked by the Pyrenees which are situated to the south as they make their way across the border between France and Spain. Midi-Pyrenees, then, meets Spanish regions Catalonia and Aragon to the south, as well as the tiny state of Andorra. Meanwhile, to the west is Aquitaine, on its eastern border is Languedoc-Roussillon and to its north are Limousin-Dordogne and Auvergne. Within its boundaries there are some 2.5 million inhabitants, more than a million of whom live in Toulouse. Many visitors venture to Midi-Pyrenees each year, looking to explore the religious sites, the picturesque towns and villages and the regional capital Toulouse.

The province is home to one of France’s seven national parks – the Pyrenees National Park which covers some 45,000 hectares. In addition, there are three regional nature parks too. The mountainous Massif Central is located to the north and includes the Aubrac and Causses mountains. In all, there are 23 ski resorts throughout the region, making it an ideal destination for this purpose. Another geographical feature is the presence of the Caves of Padirac and the Ariege caves which prove popular among some groups.
Much of the region is used for agriculture and there are also numerous vineyards throughout. Indeed, Midi-Pyrenees is known for its food production which includes the likes of Foie gras, truffles, Rocamadour goat’s cheese and Queray lamb. Other significant sectors of the economy are the aeronautics and the space industry which provide some 80,000 jobs in the region. Further, Toulouse is the home of the Airbus headquarters.

The region, larger than both the Netherlands and Denmark, contains a number of sub-regions and identities. This is due to the way in which the country was divided up in the 1970s. It was carved up to ensure regional capitals would have spheres of influence, which, with Toulouse as a focal point, was evidently the case in Midi-Pyrenees. Some local identity has been fostered since then, however; images of Airbus planes, rugby and the snowy Pyrenees are all now associated with this southern province. Even still, the division is often seen as an oasis amid a desert, the oasis being the ever-strengthening capital, Toulouse.

Despite all the effort that goes into the modernisation and economy of Toulouse, the rest of the region has a lot to shout about. There are many walled towns which were formed during the architectural golden age more than 900 years ago and which feature a number of forts and 18th century town houses and buildings. Further, there are no fewer than 30 villages which are listed among ‘the most beautiful villages in France’.

As well as hosting the famous Lourdes pilgrimage site, the region is also part of the Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage which works its way through the city in west Spain. There are three roads in Midi-Pyrenees which gather pilgrims as they head towards the cathedral in Santiago de Compostella. Finally, there are six UNESCO World Heritage sites places around the region, including the pilgrimage route to west Spain.
 

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