MIDI-PYRENÉES

MIDI-PYRENÉES
REGIONAL ID CARD
Main cities : Toulouse, Rodez, Albi, Millau…
Départements : Ariège (09), Aveyron (12), HauteGaronne (31), Gers (32), Lot (46), Hautes-Pyrénées (65),
Tarn (81), Tarn-et-Garonne (82)
Location: largest region of metropolitan France, located
in the southwest, close to the Pyrenees mountain
channels and frontier with Spain. Its capital is Toulouse.
Population: 2, 881, 756 inhabitants (2010)
Weather: warm and pleasant climate throughout the year,
especially during the summer months when peaks of
temperatures can be observed.
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Midi-Pyrénées is famous for…
Occitan language
Let’s learn the basic words to give a great impression there!
English
Hello
Thanks
Sorry
Good bye
Cheers
French
Bonjour
Merci
Desole
Au revoir
Santé
Occitan language
Bonjor
Mercé
Perdon
Adieu-siatz
A la bona santat! A la nostra!
In Midi-Pyrénées, some stores and most of the billboards use bilingual
writings. But if you get lost or need information, you can easily ask them in French, or
even in English, they will understand. People from this region are more and more a
few learning this local dialect and they often speak Spanish because of the mountain
board channel with Spain.
Music in Midi-Pyrénées
Traditional music dealing with Occitan language is kept alive thanks to some fans of this specific
culture in Midi-Pyrénées. The traditional Occitan music is played by a guitar, a drum, a “bodega” (a
big bagpipes made of a goat’s skin), or the smaller version called “hoba”, a “auboes” (a wood-made
trumpet), a flauta (a wood-made flute with only three holes), a harp, a
mandolin. Traditionnaly, Occitan music evokes history, legends and
civilization.
Nowadays, Occitan music was declined into various musical genres
such as Massila Sound System (ragga), the Fabulous Trobadors, La Mal
Coifee, Nadau (blues) or even, Lou Dalfin (folk rock/punk).
If you want to try this regional traditional musical genre, you have
various festivals organized during the summer season.
 Music festivals
Pause Guitare – Albi (81) - July
Fêtes du Grand Fauconnier – Cordes-sur-Ciel (81) - July
Les Explorateurs du Temps – Foix (09)- August
Estivada – Rodez (12) - July
Rio Loco – Toulouse (31) - June
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Regional traditional clothes
Midi-Pyrénées kept its traditional headdresses and costumes
and wear it for special events celebrating their own culture.
Generally speaking, men wear.a black hat, white shirt, red tie
& belt and black pants. Same colors as for the traditional
“ferias” (famous celebration with the calf running after
people in the streets). Women wear a “coiffe” (colored hat)
with a colored dress, a bow around their neck, a little silk’s shawl on their shoulders and black
clogs. You can easily meet some people who wear those traditional costumes for various Occitan
celebrations and other special cultural events like festivals, even during week-end outdoor markets.
Famous regional cuisine
Regional wines: Gaillac and Jurancon
Gaillac wines are made up of a large variety of wines, From white to red and rosé,
everyone will find his/her pleasure in drinking those aperitifs. Every year, people in
Midi-Pyrénées celebrate the “Gaillac Primeur” on the third Thursday of November. It
is well-known to be a a wine for party and conviviality.
Jurançon is produced in the area of Pau (64) and can be found as dry or sweet white wines. The dry
Jurançon is fresh and aromatic, whereas the sweet one is made up of exotic fruits and honey aromas.
Cassoulet (from Toulouse)
You can’t visit Midi-Pyrénées without tasting their well-famous cassoulet! Most
of the restaurants in the area of Toulouse offer you the best “cassoulet”. This
meal is made up of the famous saucisse (sausage) from Toulouse accompanied
with beans, above all from the city of Tarbes (81) and garlic. The garnitures
vary according to the cities: you would find in some mashed tomatoes, pork,
even rind.
Garbure
You would find it in any place of the region. The “Garbure” is a soup/hotpot made up of
beans, turnip, carott, potatoes, onions, some meat (bacon or ham), parsley and garlic.
Aligot (from Aveyron)
Really famous in Aveyron, this meal is made up of mashed potatoes with garlic and fresh
tome cheese. You can find it in any restaurant or supermarket and people use to eat it
with sausage.
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Famous deserts in Midi-Pyrénées
The croustade aux pommes: a pastry made of two puff pastries filled with apples (that have
been flambeed with Armagnac) commonly in Gers and Ariège.
The gimblette: this pastry made of anise is mostly made in Albi (81).
Sports and leisure in Midi-Pyrénées
Rugby: in Midi-Pyrénées, the common sport is rugby. It is like a religion there, most of the
best teams are from this region: Stade Toulousain, Sporting Club Albigeois, Tarbes Pyrénées
Rugby, among others.
Walking and hiking: for walkers, you would could go hiking over the region and see
beautiful landscapes. Midi-Pyrenees offers a lot of trails of legend like the Tour de Larzac
where the Knights Templar and Hospitaller; the Chemin des Bonhommes across the
Cathars country, the GR10 all over Pyrénées. The region is also perfect to experience St
James’s way to Santiago de Compostela giving you the authenticity and splendor of
pilgrim’s journey.
Cycling: Midi-Pyrenees is a great region to explore by bike. Some Pyrénées cols (cols du
Tourmalet, for example) are frequently used by experienced bikers and during the Tour de
France. Pedaling the “voie verte” traffic-free cycle paths is another healthy and relaxing
mean to discover the region with family or friends.
Water sports and swimming: There is a vast range of activities: from outdoor water parks
at the center at the Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle (65) to rafting in spring and autumn seasons and
also recreation and adventures park (Cap’ Découverte in Carmaux – 81). In this park you can
enjoy board sports, dive sports, swimming sports as well as shady picnic areas, fishing, aerial
adventure trails and more…
Symbols of Midi-Pyrénées
The Occitan cross: it is the symbol of Occitania and is usually used on the
region’s flag and for souvenir gifts. The cross is made of 12 tips which seem to represent the
12 apostles.
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TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS
Cordes-sur-Ciel (81)
Small mediaeval town perched dramatically on
a hilltop above the river Cérou. 25 km from Albi,
let yourself by seduced by the enchantment by
Cordes-sur-Ciel. This village steeped in legend,
sits on its rocky outcrop. The medieval city is a
great place to relax and have several activities
(hiking, walking, shopping and water activities)
either for groups, families or couples. It will
offer you a voyage in time through its
magnificent carved frontage of Gothic art. You
can also learn more about art & crafts with
painters, sculptors, potteries, jewelers or
leathers. For dining, the city is full of different
traditional and local restaurant.
Albi, Cite épiscopale (81)
This neighborhood in Albi has been classified
among the UNESCO Heritage List. The Episcopal
city of Albi will offer you different point of view,
from the Cathedral of Sainte-Cécile, the
Collégiale Saint-Salvi to the Palais de la Berbie,
the Pont-Vieux. You can easily get to know the
Old City by selecting one of the various guided
tours. The use of red bricks is universal but so
exceptional at Albi. The two must-see
attractions account for the Museum ToulouseLautrec and the Cathedral.
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Rocamadour
Located in the former province of Quercy,
Rocamadour is well-known for its sanctuary of
Blessed Virgin Mary, its small goat’s milk cheese
and the Notre-Dame chapel. This astonishing
spiritual place built in successive stages on the
side of the cliff will offer you various activities.
From art workshops, guided tours to shows, for
families, couples or friends, everyone will enjoy
the beauty of this medieval city. Rocamadour
clinging to its cliff will offer you a striking post
card view at night, with the splendor of stone
illuminated by the lights of the setting sun.
Magic view that you should not miss!
Conques (12)
Just let yourself be bewitched by the eternal
charm of Conques in the Aveyron. A must-tosee stop on the road to Puy, the most
celebrated of the routes that lead to Santiago
de Compostela, Conques will take you on a
journey to the time of the Middle Age’s great
builders. On the route to Santiago-deCompostela, this major monument of historical
and cultural heritageis built on a hillside and has
classic narrow medieval streets. The abbeychurch of Saint-Foix is remarkable for its Pierre
Soulages’ stained glass windows.
Lourdes (65)
At the foot of the Pyrénées, this 15,000
inhabitants’ city is the place, on the banks of
the gave (name of a Pyrenean mountain
stream) where the Virgin Mary appeared to
Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Thanks to its
cosmopolitan atmosphere, friendly climate and
shared emotions, Lourdes will offer you a
fortified eleventh century castle which is a past
refuge of the counts of Bigorre. You should not
missed every night in season the torchlight
parade, in the heart of the Sanctuaries to live a
moment filled of emotions.
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TOP 5 ROUTES
The Pic du Midi
This amazing point of view of Midi Pyrénées
Mountains will offer you various activities: you
will be able to visit the museum of astronomical
science and the work being carried out at the
international observatory on the Pic du Midi; to
admire the Pyrénées mountain range from the
panoramic terraces at an altitude of nearly
3,000 meters; to relax in a beautiful
recreational spa; to experience aerial trails; to
visit typical villages with fortified churches, such
as Campan, Luz Saint Sauveur or Bagnères de
Bigorre.
The Cirque de Gavarnie
The village of Gavarnie is listed on the UNESCO
World Heritage site. During the winter, you can
enjoy the 33 sky trails in exceptional landscape.
Within the Cirque de Gavarnie, you will find the
following giant moutains: Mont Perdu (3352m),
Marboré Peak (3284m), Taillon (3144m) and the
highly renowned Brèche de Roland, the place of
so many legends. It is the perfect place to enjoy
one of the greatest European’s waterfall as well
as the Festival of Gavarnie, which is a unique
show of drama and music performed in the
open air at the foot of the cirque, on the
Courade plain.
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The Canal des Deux Mers
An exceptional feat of engineering that links the
Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean, it invites
you to discover its unique atmosphere, its
beautiful landscape and its way of life, either by
boat or along its tow-paths. In colored barges
and cruise boats, you will be drifting along the
canal’s green waters discovering two top
destination cities, Toulouse and Moissac, as
well as the canal’s history, its locks, its
Mediterranean feelings and rural charms.
Saint James’ way: the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela
For anyone interested in enjoying the beautiful
and inspiring experience of walking along the St
James’ way pilgrimage route to Santiago de
Compostela, Midi Pyrénées region is crossed by
the “Le Puy” route, the “Arles route” and the
“Pyrenean Foothills route”, full of treasures of
religious architecture amongst cities as Conques
and Moissac, along footpaths alive with the
presence of the pilgrims who have trod the Way
to Santiago de Compostela. Along the
pilgrimage route, you will discover a melting pot
of artistic and architectural influences from the
four corners of Europe, such as shrines,
churches, hospitals, bridges and sometimes
even entire suburbs which were built
specifically for the pilgrims.
The Pyrénées National Park
The Pyrénées National Park is the best place to
go hiking, biking, fishing finding the major
natural landmarks and features so typical of the
Pyrénées. This area, along the Spanish border,
stands the giant cirques at Gavarnie and
Troumouse, the impressive Vignemale massif
and the Pic de Néouvielle, as well as the
amazing Pont d’Espagne which stands like a
gateway to the Park and is easily accessible
from the spa town of Cauterets. This
exceptional territory will offer you the
opportunity to discover beautiful and typical
fauna & flora, geology as well as culture and
housing from Pyrénées.
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TOP 5 SPOTS (MUSEUMS
& CASTLES)
Musée Toulouse-Lautrec (Albi – 81)
Over 1,000 paintings, drawings, litographs and
poster from impressionist painter Henry de
Toulouse-Lautrec are displayed in this museum.
Newly renovated, the museum is located in a
former archiepiscopal palace built in the
thirteenth century. Located in the Palais de la
Berbie and its garden, the museum offers you a
really rich collection of paintings. The garden
gives you an impressive view of the city and its
Tarn river edges. The collection is a great
occasion to review the painter’s biography: its
youth, fascination for the eternal womanhood,
his qualities as a colorist and the nervous and
elegant arabesque of his line.
Museum of Natural History (Toulouse – 31)
The second largest museum of natural history in
France will offer you a guided tour among
fossilized and many specimens of animals and
artefacts. Between its permanent exhibitions
about solar system, living nature or even, future
ecosystems, its temporal ones such as “Des
hommes, de l’eau, des frontières” celebrating
the World Water Day on March 22, the Henri
Gaussen Botanical garden which is notable for
its shade plants and vegetable gardens of the
world.
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Cathar castle (Foix – 81)
Unmissable thanks to its dominant position in
the heart of town and its state of conservation.
The castle was built in the 11th century during
the crusade against the Cathars. For a long
time, it was the fortified castle of the Counts of
Foix. One of the most famous is named Gaston
Febus, who defied the King’s authority by
declining to pay tribute to him. Now house of
collections, it was classified among the
historical monuments of France. Foix is also the
place to visit its museum on the Cathar history
by a guided tour.
The main Commandery of the Order (Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon – 12)
Just 20 minutes from the Roquefort cheese
cellars, Sainte-Eulalie is the mother house, one
of the largest and richest Templar
commanderies in all south of France. In the city,
you will find a surprising Church with its sandcolored limestone as well as Castle built by the
Knight Templars, architecturally impressive with
frescos and Renaissance balcony and windows.
It makes part of the Knights Templar circuit as
well as other Templar and Hospitaller cities of
the Larzac, such as la Couvertoirade or Millau.
Musée Champollion (Figeac – 46)
In the birthplace of Jean-Francois Champollion,
the museum depicts the work of the man who
deciphered hieroglyphics that is in the spotlight
and the starting point of a fascinating journey
through the writing systems of the world. The
collections are presented in 8 exhibition rooms
in a very attractive and interactive way.
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BEST RESTAURANTS
Dans l’Ariège (09)
Ferme Ô Délices: our grand-mother recipes will be brought up to date. Address: Route de
Calmont, Domaine des oiseaux, 09270 MAZERES. Tél. +33 (0)5 61 60 65 30
Le Commerce: inside the medieval area, traditional food is served in a terrace during summer.
Address: 8, rue de l'Evêché, 09500 MIREPOIX. Tél. +33 (0)5 61 68 10 29
Restaurant Au Grilladou: their specialities are pizzas, fresh pastas, grilled meat and fish.
Address: 7 rue Lafaurie, 09000 FOIX. Tél. +33 (0)5 61 64 00 74
Dans l’Aveyron (12)
Le Midi: offer to yourself a gourmet break with the best local food. Address: 1 rue Béteille,
12000 RODEZ. Tél. +33 (0)5 65 68 02 07
Auberge Saint-Jacques: regional or inventive cuisine would be your gift there. Address: Le Bourg,
12320 CONQUES. Tél. +33 (0)5 65 72 86 36
La Mangeoire: in this charming place, the chef will broil and blaze meat and fish in front of you!
Address: 10, boulevard de la Capelle, 12100 MILLAU. Tél. +33 (0)5 65 60 13 16
Dans la Haute-Garonne (31)
Rond de serviette: good place to try famous duck foie-gras. Address : 3 Place du Peyrou, 31000
TOULOUSE. Tél. +33 (0)5 61 21 80 70
Rest’O Jazz: with the sound of jazz music, you will have a good moment savoring local food.
Address: 8 Rue Amélie, 31000 TOULOUSE. Tél. +33 (0)5 61 57 96 95
Le Mas de Dardagna : good food in a rustic style restaurant 10 minutes from center city.
Address : 1 Chemin de Dardagna, 31000 TOULOUSE. Tél. +33 (0)5 61 14 09 80
Dans le Gers (32)
La Table d’Oste: let’s try this traditional cuisine from local farm products. Address: 7 rue
Lamartine, 32000 AUCH. Tél. +33 (0)5 62 05 55 62
Le Monde à l’envers: this friendly restaurant will offer you reknown wines. Address : 20 Place de
l'Hôtel de Ville, 32230 MARCIAC. Tél. +33 (0)5 62 08 25 28
Aubergade: the chef can serve you traditional and dietetic menus. Address: 13 avenue des
Thermes, Barbotan les Thermes, 32150 CAZAUBON. Tél. +33 (0)5 62 69 55 43
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Dans le Lot (46)
Restaurant Jehan de Valon: in the restaurant or at the terrace, all the best local products are
selected here for the great pleasure of your gustative taste. Address: Cité Médiévale, 46500
ROCAMADOUR. Tél. +33 (0)5 65 33 63 08
La Table de Marinette: try the best savour from Lot, aka land of wonders. Address: 51 allée
Victor Hugo, 46100 FIGEAC. Tél. +33 (0)5 65 50 06 07
Restaurant auberge du Vieux Cahors : local food is served in a comfortable and refined place
with live music. Address: 134 - 144, rue St Urcisse, 46000 CAHORS. Tél. +33 (0)5 65 35 06 05
Dans les Hautes-Pyrénées (65)
Brasserie de la Grotte: these specialists in fish and Mediterranean food will offer you an
unforgettable pleasure. Address: 66 rue de la Grotte, 65100 LOURDES. Tél. +33 (0)5 62 42 39 34
Le Fil à la patte: best place to try local food like duck cooked with Armagnac. Address: 30 rue
Georges Lassalle, 65000 TARBES. Tél. +33 (0)5 62 93 39 23
Dans le Tarn (81)
L’Epicurien : right in the center city of Albi, this place will stimulate your gustative curiosity.
Address: 42, Place Jean Jaures, 81000 ALBI. Tél:. +33 (0)5 63 53 10 70
Au coq en pâte: located close to the medieval village, you would have a cuisine mixed between
tradition and modernity. Route de Castres, 81440 LAUTREC. Tél. +33 (0)0 56 35 03 23
Restaurant Le Victoria: close to the Museum Goya, you will eat in an arched cellar from a 17 th
century monastery. Address: 24 Place du 8 Mai, 81100 CASTRES. Tél. +33 (0)0 56 35 91 46
Dans le Tarn-et-Garonne (82)
Les Crêtes de Pignols: this friendly restaurant will offer you a terrace and a swimming -pool.
Address: 1167 chemin de Pignols, 82200 MOISSAC. Tél. +33 (0)5 63 04 04 04
Le Ventadour: refined place made of redbricks. Address: 23 quai Villebourbon, 82000
MONTAUBAN. Tél. +33 (0)5 63 63 34 58
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BEST ACCOMMODATIONS
Hôtels
Hôtel Le Capitole
A priviledged location in the downtown core, close to shopping, restaurant, theaters and museums.
Address: 10 Rue Rivals, 31000 TOULOUSE. Tél. +33 (0)5 61 23 21 28
Hôtel Padoue
A four stars hotel full of utilities and services. Address: 1 Rue Reine Astrid, 65100 LOURDES. Tél. +33 (0)5
62 53 07 00
Grand Hôtel D’Orleans
Close to the train station, this three stars hotel will offer you a bar, swimming pool and so much more.
Address: 1 Place Stalingrad, 81000 ALBI. Tél. +33 (0)5 63 54 16 56
Camping
Camping du Viaduc
Five minutes from Millau and its viaduct, this camping is full of services: from activities for children to
water sports… Address: 121 Avenue Millau Plage, 12100 MILLAU. Tél. +33 (0)5 65 60 15 75
Camping Les Bords du Tarn
In a mountain area, you will enjoy a warmful and family welcome as well as a Wifi access all over the
camping. Address: Les Barriasses, 12720 MOSTUEJOULS. Tél. +33 (0)5 65 62 62 94
Camping Le GR10
This camping is full of utilities like sport grounds, Wifi and ziplining (tree climbing). Address: Quartier
Concé, 65110 CAUTERETS. Tél. +33 (0)6 20 30 25 85
Youth hostels
InToulouse
Situated in a pleasant place and we offer many services guaranteeing you the best value for money. The
house has a kitchen, a dining area and living room and two toilets and a bathroom. You can enjoy a
garden on the ground floor. Upstairs two bedrooms open onto a small terrace. Address: 1, impasse du
professeur Nougayrol, 31100 Toulouse.
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Le Clos de Morphée
This is your chance to stay in an ancient convent which has been tastefully renovated. The old convent is
situated in the heart of a traditional French village, tucked behind the village church. Utilities are
composed of television and internet. The hostel is about 2 hours’ drive to Carcassonne and 40 minutes’
drive to Rodez. Address: 9 Place de L'eglise Tanus, Albi
Citotel de la Vallée
Located in a quiet area in the city centre and is only 600 m. from the Shrine. All comfortable rooms
come with Sat.TV & Canal+ and en suite facilities. Free WiFi access with own laptop. Relax at the bar &
lounges and enjoy quality cuisine in the air conditioned dining room of the hotel restaurant. You will find
numerous sites and attractions such as Cirque de Gavarnie and Col du Tourmalet. Address: 28 Rue des
Pyrénées F-65100, Lourdes
Le Couvent
A charming former convent near CONQUES in the north west of Aveyron, offering a warm welcome and
comfortable stay in a small village with all the facilities nearby. The house offers 4 comfortable
bedrooms with en-suite facilities. At the back of the house the terrace and garden are the perfect
setting to enjoy the hot summer months Address: Le bourg 12330 Nauviale, Rodez.
Useful website links
http://www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk/
http://www.greatsites-midipyrenees.co.uk/grands-sites-midi-pyrenees.php?extLang=en
http://www.cordessurciel.fr/en/
http://www.cite-episcopale-albi.fr/?lang=en
http://eurotalk.com/fr/resources/learn/occitan
http://www.aubergesdejeunesse.com/
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