here - Magellan PR

Press pack
W H AT ' S N E W I N 2 0 1 4 I N M I D I - PY R É N É E S
The inauguration of the
Musée Soulages in Rodez,
brand new attractions and
new destinations: in 2014
Midi-Pyrénées is once again
set to create a splash.
W H AT ' S N E W I N M I D I - P Y R É N É E S
W H AT ' S N E W I N M I D I - P Y R É N É E S
Contents
OUR IDENTITY
EVENTS
ARTS AND CRAFTS
STARGAZING
EN FAMILLE
OUT AND ABOUT
P.3
P.4
P.5
P.6
P.6
P.8
WELL-BEING
FINE DINING
NEW PLACES TO STAY
P.9
P.10
P.11
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Our identity
WHAT MAKES MIDI-PYRÉNÉES
STAND OUT
Situated in South West France, between the
Atlantic and Mediterranean, the Midi-Pyrénées
region draws its wealth of interest and incredibly diverse heritage and countryside from 8 départements full of character. Together, Ariège,
Aveyron, Haute Garonne, Hautes Pyrénées,
Gers, Lot, Tarn and Tarn et Garonne form the
largest region in France. Famous for its enthusiastic combination of heritage and quality of
life, Midi-Pyrénées is a region full of vitality and
bursting with ideas and innovations: Toulouse,
France's second university city and Europe's aerospace capital, is home to the vast factories
of Airbus, the world's leading aircraft manufacturer.
Great Tourist Sites
Midi-Pyrénées owes its fame to 25 Great Tourist
Sites known all over the world, including Millau Viaduct, the Pic du Midi with its astronomical observatory, the Cirque de Gavarnie (a UNESCO World
Heritage Site), the great Catholic pilgrimage site
of Lourdes, Albi and the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec,
Cahors and the Pont Valentré, but also Conques,
Rocamadour, Moissac, and a host of others…
The Great Outdoors
One of France's sunniest regions (with an average
of 2,000 hours of sunshine every year), Midi-Pyrénées offers vast areas of countryside and an en-
dless range of spectacular scenery such as the
Tarn Gorge, the Aveyron Gorge, the Lot Valley, the
Dordogne Valley, the high peaks of the Pyrenees,
and more… With 28,000 km of waymarked footpaths, the Pyrenees National Park and 4 Regional
Nature Parks, Midi-Pyrénées is the perfect destination for hiking, cycling, horse riding, white water
sports, river tourism on the Canal du Midi and
other waterways, plus skiing and snowsports in
the Pyrenees.
The region's greats
Toulouse-Lautrec, Champollion, Pierre-Paul Riquet,
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, the aviation pioneers: a host of great figures from history have
given Midi-Pyrénées an outstanding heritage that
lives on today in what they have left behind.
Lifestyle
The home of Roquefort, foie gras, the Quercy
black truffle, saffron and some hundred other
quality-certified products, Midi-Pyrénées is also a
land of vineyards that boasts 8 AOCs and a tradition of quality craftsmanship. What's more, MidiPyrénées hosts around a hundred festivals, some
of which are world-famous, such as the Jazz in
Marciac festival, the Country Music Festival in Mirande, the Sylvanès Festival of Religious Music, and
Rio Loco in Toulouse.
KEY FACTS AND FIGURES
Surface area:
Population:
nearly
2,9
million.
8
departments:
Ariège, Aveyron, Gers, HauteGaronne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot,
Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne.
Capital: Toulouse
45 348
Km2,
making it France's biggest region.
3rd
The
most important
interior (non-coastal) tourist region
on the national market, after
Rhône-Alpes and Ile de France.
15,7
million
visitors.
85,9
million
bed-nights.
population
6th
France's
most important
tourist region on the
international market,
with 4.3% of the market share.
33 500
THE GREAT TOURIST SITES IN:
Toulouse, Canal des Deux Mers, The Ariège Collection: the Niaux and Mas
d’Azil caves, Saint Lizier, Foix, Montségur and Mirepoix, Millau Viaduct,
Conques, Villefranche de Rouergue-Najac, Auch, Marciac, Flaran-Baïse-Armagnac, Revel-Sorèze-Saint Ferréol, the source of the Canal du Midi, Luchon, Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, Pic du Midi de Bigorre, CauteretsPont d’Espagne, Cirque de Gavarnie, Lourdes, Cahors, Rocamadour, Saint
Cirq-Lapopie, Figeac, Dordogne Valley, Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Moissac, Rodez
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437 000
salaried jobs
generated by tourism.
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Events
THE EVENT OF 2014: OPENING OF
THE MUSÉE PIERRE SOULAGES
IN RODEZ (AVEYRON)
They don't come much bigger than this eagerly awaited event. Pierre Soulages, the
world-famous French artist whose works
feature in the greatest museums around
the world has been personally involved with
the project to open the museum in Rodez
dedicated to his work. Providing a stunning
contemporary setting for the artist's exceptional gift to his birthplace, the Musée
Soulages is designed to be a 6,000m2 platform for international artistic endeavour.
The museum's collection, valued at 40 million
euros, features 500 of the painter and engraver's works including paintings on canvas
and paper, all of his engravings, and his preparatory works for his stained-glass windows for Conques Abbey Church. This is a
fascinating and unique collection of extraordinary richness that will be accompanied by temporary exhibitions of national and international importance. Best known for his use of reflections on the colour 'black',
which he refers to as 'light-black' and 'beyond black', Pierre Soulages is one of the leading representatives
of informal painting. The artist has been closely involved with the conception of the museum, which has
taken three years to build in the centre of Rodez, and was keen to have an innovative building designed by
the Catalan architecture firm RCR Arquitectes, which has received an award for the project. Set in
grounds of 3 hectares, the Musée Soulages will also be home to the Café Bras, a gourmet eatery designed
by Sébastien Bras and his father Michel, the Michelin-starred chef who run a restaurant in the Aubrac.
- The first temporary exhibition will be dedicated to Pierre Soulages' Beyond Black concept.
- Rodez is one of the Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyrénées. The town has also recently been awarded the
official distinction 'Pays d’Art et d’Histoire'.
www.tourisme.myrodez.fr
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the stained-glass
windows in the Abbey of
Sainte Foy
The Abbey of Sainte Foy, a gem of
Romanesque art on St James's
Way to Santiago de Compostela, is
incontestably a unique monument.
Since 1994 it has boasted a set of
remarkable contemporary stainedglass windows created especially
for it by Pierre Soulages. This
spring the abbey will be celebrating
the 20th anniversary of the installation of the 104 plain-glass stained-glass windows that illuminate
the abbey with an incomparably
beautiful play of light.
www.tourisme-conques.fr
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BENJAMIN-CONSTANT RETROSPECTIVE AT THE
MUSÉE DES AUGUSTINS IN TOULOUSE
(HAUTE-GARONNE)
4 October 2014 to 4 January 2015
As part of the Franco-American cooperation agreement FRAME
(French Regional American Museum Exchange), the Musée des Augustins
in Toulouse and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts have joined forces to
present an exhibition dedicated to Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant and
his influences. A major practitioner of Orientalist art, a portrait painter who became the darling of British high society in the late 19th century, and the great decorative painter of his day (whose work includes
the Opéra Comique, Gare d’Orsay and Hôtel de Ville in Paris and the
Capitole in Toulouse), Benjamin-Constant also enjoyed great success
across the Atlantic. This is why a vast number of his works feature in
the collections at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The two exhibitions
will vary in their different but complementary approaches. As the
city's museum of fine art where Benjamin-Constant was trained, the
Musée des Augustins in Toulouse will centre its approach on the artist
and his influences. The Montreal exhibition, which opens on 26 January
2014, will present Oriental works of art alongside works contemporary
to this vision of an Academy artist.
www.augustins.org
THE CHÂTEAU DE NÈGREPELISSE HOME TO 'LA CUISINE'
(TARN-ET-GARONNE)
The town of Nègrepelisse has decided to turn its ancient castle which dates from the 13th century into
the home of 'La Cuisine' Centre for Art and Design, due to open in June 2014.
Following an architectural competition, RCR, the prestigious Catalan architects' firm selected to design
the Musée Soulages in Rodez, was chosen to create the building, which combines the remains of the old
castle with a new building featuring contemporary lines and materials. This singular and innovative centre
is all set to pursue with relish its own exploration of contemporary artistic creation. 'La Cuisine' uses its
food-themed approach to question the conventions and customs of eating.
www.la-cuisine.fr
Arts and crafts
SAS D’ALBRAC IN LAGUIOLE (AVEYRON): A NEW FACTORY PRODUCING
HAND-MADE KNIVES
To design, manufacture and sell
fine Laguiole traditional folding
knives: this is the mission of the
group of dedicated craftsmen
and women from Aveyron who are
behind this project. Hand-made in
a workshop open to the public, the
knives produced here feature only
the most carefully selected materials. The handles are made of the
finest varieties of horn, precious woods or other high-quality materials. The bee motif and spring are crafted in the purest cutlery tradition. The blade is made with the hardest steels and features a special stamp
guaranteeing the quality and origin of the materials used to make it.
www.dalbrac.com
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Stargazing
2014: YEAR OF ASTRONOMY AT THE
CITÉ DE L’ESPACE IN TOULOUSE
(HAUTE-GARONNE)
The Cité de l’Espace, Toulouse's space and astronomy theme park, continues to come up with new
and innovative ways to offer an extremely broad
public a chance to wonder at the beauty of our
planet and the universe. This season, the Cité de
l'Espace is launching a Year of Astronomy featuring a number of new attractions including an observation dome for observing the planets and the
sun in real time in the middle of the day and the
chance to follow the adventure of the European
Rosetta space probe, launched ten years ago to
explore a comet. The layout of the 2,000m2 permanent exhibition pavilion was completely revamped
in 2013 to immerse visitors in the history of man's
quest to explore the stars. You'll be amazed at the
permanent collection of giant-screen IMAX films,
one of the biggest planetariums in the world (featuring 360° viewing), and the life-size reproduction
space craft on show in the grounds.
www.cite-espace.com
NEW PLANETARIUM AT LA FERME DES ÉTOILES (GERS)
The brand new digital planetarium 7 metres in diameter at La Ferme des Étoiles has been specially designed
to amaze visitors with its unique 360° presentation. The planetarium show, which lasts for 90 minutes, is
designed to be a completely immersive experience that transports visitors to the heart of the solar system and on to explore stars and distant galaxies. You can round off your visit by eating at the planetarium,
followed by evening of star-gazing.
www.fermedesetoiles.com
En famille
MUSEUM DE TOULOUSE: BEARS, MYTHS AND REALITIES
11 October 2013 to 30 June 2014
The major exhibition 'Bears, Myths and Realities'
produced by Toulouse Natural History Museum,
recognised by the French Ministry of Culture as
an 'Exhibition of National Importance', invites the
visitor to reflect on the singular relationship that
man has with animals. The exhibition features
some remarkable specimens on show for the
first time, including the panda Yen Yen, a gift
from Maoist China to President Georges Pompidou, and Cannelle, the last member of the indigenous Pyrenean bear population, tragically killed
by a hunter in 2004, and later stuffed at the museum's taxidermy department.
www.museum.toulouse.fr
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MONTRÉAL-DU-GERS FOSSIL SITE:
THE ORIGIN ROAD (GERS)
Discovered by chance in 1987, this site at Montréal-du-Gers (50 km from Auch) is the largest fossil collection
found in France in the 20th century. It features more than 90 species, four of which were previously unknown.
The site, which dates back some 17 million years, is one of Europe's major fossil sites. It opened to the public
in July 2013 following building work designed both to open the site to visitors and to improve the conditions
of the archaeologists working on the dig there. The Montréal-du-Gers site is one of the destinations on the
Origin Road, a joint European project designed to encourage scientific tourism on both sides of the Pyrenees.
The six sites along the route give visitors the opportunity to explore their origins (the origins of the universe,
mankind, the Pyrenees and more…).
www.museum.toulouse.fr/la-route-des-origines
EVENING CANDLE-LIT TOURS OF THE CHÂTEAU DE CÉNEVIÈRES (LOT)
Every Wednesday evening from June to September, the Château de Cénevières offers visitors a very special
costumed tour by candlelight. Close to Saint Cirq-Lapopie (voted 'France's favourite village' in 2012) and the
famous Pech Merle Cave, the Château de Cénevières, which towers over the River Lot and offers a panoramic view of the river, is one of the most remarkable Renaissance châteaux in the Quercy region. A host
of events is held at the château, including concerts, exhibitions, medieval entertainments, Renaissance
feasts, open-air cinema, theatre and storytelling.
www.chateau-cenevieres.com
TARN, AFRICA IN FRANCE:
EXPANSION OF THE ZOO
DES TROIS VALLÉES
IN MONTRÉDON-LABESSONNIÉ
(TARN)
Situated in Montrédon-Labessonnié (30 km
from Albi) in gorgeous rural surroundings at
the meeting point of several valleys, the 58hectare Zoo des Trois Vallées is already one of
the largest animal parks in South West France
and is in the process of expanding to cover an
additional 10 hectares. The zoo, which opened
in June 2013, is buzzing with new projects, acquiring more animals and for 2014 has announced
it will be opening the largest aquarium in MidiPyrénées, creating a new African savannah
zone and offering visitors the chance to get
away from it all for a night at the zoo's very
own lodge village.
www.zoodes3vallees.com/le-zoo.html
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Out and about / By bike
EXTENSION OF THE ST AFFRIQUE
/ST JEAN D’ALCAPIÈS GREENWAY
(AVEYRON)
This greenway which follows the course of the
old railway line between St Affrique and St Jean
d’Alcapiès was recently extended to Vabres
l’Abbaye to offer a total of 13 km of traffic-free
cycling through the countryside of southern
Aveyron. This pleasant greenway is perfect for
family exploring on foot and by bike.
What exactly is a greenway?
Dedicated travel routes open only to non-motor traffic, greenways
are specially designed for cycling, walking, jogging, rollerblading and
horse riding in unspoilt surroundings. Midi-Pyrénées has more than
twenty greenways from 15 to 145 km long, none of which involve
challenging terrain.
EXTENSION OF THE ARMAGNAC
GREENWAY (GERS)
Opened in 2009 between Condom and Mouchan,
this lovely greenway running through the vineyardcovered hillsides of Armagnac has recently been
extended by 13 km to Lagraulet-du-Gers. Following
the course of an old railway line, this shady and
slightly undulating greenway is accessible to everyone (40 km there and back).
www.af3v.org
OPENING OF THE ARMAGNAC RAIL-BIKE TRAIL (GERS)
This old railway line, one of the first to be built in Gers, was originally opened in December 1875. On 1 April 2014 it will
begin its new life as the Armagnac Rail-Bike Trail, a 9-kilometre there-and-back route offering an original way to
explore the undulating countryside and vineyards of Armagnac in Gers, Saint Mont, the Floc and the Côtes de
Gascogne area. A great way to get some exercise while finding your bearings, before enjoying some wine tasting
with a local producer who will share his passion and his wines with you. A bit like a railway version of a pedal boat,
the rail-bike can carry up to five people. It's the perfect way to explore off the beaten track with all the family.
www.velorail-armagnac-gers.jimdo.com
THE STREETSTRIDER®, A FUN NEW
ACTIVITY IN MOISSAC
(TARN-ET-GARONNE)
Loisirs Verts Moissagais has bikes for hire, and now offers something new in the StreetStrider®, the first elliptical bike for
outdoor use. This strange-looking three-wheeled bike is much
more fun than the stationary version you might find in a gym
and exercises your abdominals and arm and leg muscles while
going gently on your joints. Now you can try one out on the
Canal des Deux Mers Greenway, the former canal tow path
transformed into a greenway that makes it possible to cycle
from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean (250 km of cycle route,
65 km of which are in Tarn et Garonne). On the way you can stop
off at Moissac, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées, and explore Grisolles, Castelsarrasin and Valence d’Agen, coming and
going as you please to see Midi-Pyrénées in all its diversity.
www.loisirs-vm.fr
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NEW BIKE HIRE OUTLET IN CASTANETTOLOSAN FOR EXPLORING THE CANAL
DU MIDI GREENWAY (HAUTE-GARONNE)
Located in Castanet-Tolosan, near the Canal du Midi
and 15 km from Toulouse, Avélo specialises in pre-booked
bike hire (hybrid bikes, tandems, children's bikes, trailer
bikes and child seats). The Canal du Midi Greenway, the
longest in the region, is a great way to explore the attractions and countryside of the Lauragais in peace
and quiet. In one direction the route continues as far
as Sète in the Mediterranean (Languedoc-Roussillon region) and in the other direction all the way to Bordeaux
on the Atlantic coast (Aquitaine region), totalling 486 km.
www.avelo31.fr
Well-being
What exactly are recreational spas and
balneotherapy?
A recreational spa is an establishment that uses
natural mineral water from a thermal spring for
non-therapeutic recreational and well-being purposes. Recreational spas feature facilities such as
jacuzzis, hydromassage jets, steam baths, saunas and bubble beds, enabling guests to enjoy the pleasures of thermal water
at their leisure for recreation. This activity is enjoying a tremendous boom in Midi-Pyrénées, which is home to a unique collection
of 10 recreational spas in the Pyrenees. By contrast, a balneotherapy centre is supplied with normal fresh water.
NEW SPA-WATER WELL-BEING CENTRE: OPENING OF SALINEA-SPA
IN SALIES DU SALAT (HAUTE GARONNE)
Famous for their highly salinated waters, the Thermal Baths at Salies du Salat (1 hour from Toulouse) have
just opened a new spa combining four treatment cubicles with an aqua centre featuring a steam bath,
jacuzzi and sauna. In calm and luxurious surroundings and looked after by the centre's attentive staff,
guests can compile their own personalised beauty treatment programme (facials, body treatments, sculpting massages, hand and foot beauty treatments, etc.) and benefit from the special properties of the
water at Salies du Salat.
www.salinea-spa.com
OPENING OF EDENEO RECREATIONAL SPA CENTRE IN PIAU-ENGALY
(HAUTES PYRÉNÉES)
Piau-Engaly now has a spa centre in the heart of the resort at the bottom of the ski pistes. The centre features a number of relaxation pools where guests can relax or take part in exercise classes such as aquabike
and aquagym. The centre will soon also have a well-being centre offering body treatments (various massage,
sauna and steam bath packages). The centre has a lounge bar that opens directly on to the ski pistes.
www.piau-engaly.com/fr/il4-info_i50-bientot-a-piau.aspx
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Wine news
'DESTINATION CAHORS MALBEC' (LOT)
AWARDED NATIONAL 'VIGNOBLES &
DÉCOUVERTES' LABEL
On 29 April 2013 the Cahors wine area was granted
'Vignobles & Découvertes' status, a national distinction recognising areas actively involved in promoting
wine tourism. This label comes in recognition of the
promotional initiative started here some time ago
with the 'Réseau Accueil Vigneron du Lot', a network
of almost 70 wine growers in the area. These growers
promise to provide the best possible visitor experience, sharing their passion for wine growing and offering wine-tasting opportunities. Cahors Malbec
joins 36 other 'Vignobles & Découvertes' wine areas in
France, including the Gaillac and Armagnac vineyards.
www.vignobles.tourisme-lot.com
www.vineyards.rendezvousenfrance.com
ARIÈGE WINES GRANTED PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION
The result of more than 15 years' work by the wine growers of Ariège, who took on the task of replanting
vines in an area from which they had disappeared, the wines of Ariège were recently granted EU Protected
Geographical Indication (PGI) status. A richly deserved reward for Philippe Babin, Jean-Louis Vigneau, Christian
Gerber and Christian Zeller, who have taken on the challenge by planting quality grape varieties (Syrah,
Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Tannat for the reds and Chardonnay, Chenin, Sémillon
and Sauvignon for the whites), beginning production from an area of some thirty hectares.
www.france-sudouest.com/fr
OPENING OF THE ROUTE DES VINS D’AVEYRON
Aveyron has created a brand new Route des Vins exploring four very different terroirs where four AOCs
are grown: Marcillac, Côtes de Millau, Entraygues-le-Fel and Estaing. The participating wine growers have
signed a quality charter guaranteeing the best wine-tasting welcome for visitors exploring the area. This
new itinerary is another addition to Aveyron's well-loved range of food-themed attractions such as the
unmissable Roquefort cheese cellars.
http://presse.tourisme-aveyron.com/fr/documents/dossier-presse/route-vins.pdf
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New eateries
Fine dining
RESTAURANT ISABELLE AUGUY (RODEZ - AVEYRON)
Following her tremendous success running the family restaurant in Laguiole, obtaining one star in the Michelin
Guide in 2001, Isabelle Auguy has now moved to Rodez, bringing her history, origins and generous cuisine, from
filet de boeuf to aligot and including her delicious porcini mushroom salad.
www.restaurantisabelleauguy.fr
LE SANDYAN, YANNICK DELPECH'S
TEA ROOM IN TOULOUSE
(HAUTE-GARONNE)
Opening this tea room right in the centre of Toulouse is a childhood dream come true for Yannick Delpech. Passionate about pâtisserie, the chef who
boasts 2 Michelin stars at his restaurant L'Amphitryon just outside Toulouse has come up with a
contemporary range of cakes, pastries and desserts that stimulate the five senses. Le Sandyan is
a boutique tea room with terrace that offers a gorgeous setting for a range of sweet temptations
that vary with the season and include frozen desserts, timeless classics revisited and spectacular
pastries.
www.sandyan.fr
L'ONCLE POM (TOULOUSE - HAUTE-GARONNE)
This eatery with a homely feel is anything but a conventional restaurant. The cuisine on offer at the decidedly unorthodox L'Oncle Pom extols the beauty and virtues of the potato and features only fresh – and
local – produce as the accompaniment. The principle is simple: first you choose your potato recipe (frites,
gratin, etc.) and only then do you select what is to be served with it (fish, burger or meat dish).
www.lonclepom.com
N°5 WINE BAR À TOULOUSE
(HAUTE-GARONNE)
This wine bar with a cosy feel features the innovative Enomatic by-the-glass wine-serving system, which takes wine lovers on a tour of the
wines, Champagnes and Grands Crus of France
and the rest of the world. The N°5 Wine Bar also
offers 'Oenological Excursions', with guests using
the 'Wheel of Aromas' to guide them through
taster-size servings of the vast selection of
wines available.
www.n5winebar.com
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Hotels
BOUTIQUE HOTELS
Le Pier **** boutique hotel in Toulouse
(Haute-Garonne)
You can't miss the vast black-glass shape of
Le Pier Toulouse looking out onto the River
Garonne. This is a hotel that offers everything a city-centre clientèle could ask for. Its
strikingly original architecture is the perfect setting for a décor which borrows
from Asia and Australia to take your senses
on a journey. The hotel, which has 28 bedrooms and 4 suites with a small balcony and
panoramic view, also boasts a terrace offering an unrivalled view of the city.
www.piertoulousehotel.com
The **** Villa Toscane hotel in Marciac (Gers), due to open on 1 March 2014
This new 4* establishment is the latest addition to the hotel offering in Marciac (Gers), a Great Tourist
Site in Midi-Pyrénées famous for its jazz festival. This little paradise in the 19th century former town school
will offer lots of pampering opportunities at the well-being centre once it opens in March 2014. A lovely
place to stay with your friends.
www.lavillatoscane-marciac.fr
Opening of the **** Castel Pierre Boutique Hotel in Lagraulet (Gers)
This little boutique hotel is set to open in Lagraulet, a village in the heart of the vineyards near Vic-Fezensac,
which is famous for its salsa festival. Because the owner is a qualified oenologist, Le Castel Pierre is sure
to be a hit with wine buffs. It's a great place for a quiet, gastronomic break in the heart of the Armagnac
vineyards where you can learn all about the region's great wines.
COSY AND WELCOMING
The ** Brit Hotel Eco Sweet in Castres (Tarn)
This stylish new establishment with comfortable bedrooms strongly embraces the principles of environmentally sustainable design, featuring solar panels and energy-saving and rainwater-harvesting systems.
You'll also enjoy the delicious specialities served at the 'A ma cuis’in' restaurant, which offers a brasseriestyle service and dishes prepared in front of you for an original gourmet dining experience.
www.hotel-castres.brithotel.fr
The *** Hôtel des Arts in Nègrepelisse (Tarn et Garonne)
A new hotel located between Montauban and the Aveyron Gorge. This recently completed new build is a
modern and convivial family-friendly hotel with a cosy, warmly welcoming atmosphere and 22 bedrooms
(some of which have a kitchenette). Ideal for a large family or group of friends.
www.hotelrestaurantmontauban.com
ON THE WATER
Le Haricot noir in Villefranche de Lauragais (Haute Garonne): a new barge hotel on the Canal du Midi
This canal boat hotel can be booked as a gîte (for up to 12 guests) or as a hotel (maximum 6 guests) for a
go-as-you-please holiday exploring the Canal du Midi. The owners, who have been running canal boats for
more than 30 years, man the 30-metre barge, offer you the chance to help out as a crew member and
even have a hand on the tiller if you're adventurous enough, closely supervised by the captain of course!
When booked as a hotel, meals are eaten together on board in table d'hôte style.
www.sites.google.com/site/penichehotelharicotnoir/
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Gîtes
LUXURY GÎTES
***** Gîte: Bellevue d’Aveyron in Sainte Eulalie
d’Olt (Aveyron)
Here's a gîte that blends in perfectly with its
surroundings. Situated in Sainte Eulalie d’Olt, officially recognised 'One of the most Beautiful
Villages in France', this luxurious restored farmstead offers top-end facilities and services in
verdant grounds of 5,000 m2. Refurbished to
high environment quality standards, this establishment boasts the latest eco-friendly technological innovations (floor heating, clothes dryer with
heat pump, solar water heater, etc.). The ground
floor is accessible to wheelchair users.
www.bellevuedaveyron.com
***** Gîte: Emeraude in Mostuéjouls (Aveyron)
Set in the heart of the Tarn Gorge and the
Grands Causses Regional Nature Park, both
UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this 5-star
contemporary gîte will impress even the most
world-weary luxury traveller. The gîte boasts a
range of outstanding facilities including a spa
and a private beach on the Tarn. This superb architect-designed villa of 150 m2 is designed to
accommodate between 2 and 9 guests, with the
ground floor accessible to wheelchair users.
www.giteemeraude.com
FOR LARGE FAMILIES AND GROUPS OF FRIENDS
4-épis gîte: Eth Bordac in Cazeaux-de-Larboust (Haute-Garonne)
A top-of-the-range gîte sleeping 8 guests (in 4 bedrooms) with a swimming pool, this 19th century farmhouse
in the heart of the Pyrenees has been tastefully refurbished. The carefully restored authentic timber
and lime render combine with furniture featuring a mix of a vintage look and a stylish contemporary design, all in extremely elegant surroundings: you'll love it! Perfect for a relaxing getaway to the country with
all the family.
www.ethbordac.com
4-épis gîte: L’Espeyronnis in Saint-Félix-Lauragais (Haute-Garonne)
Ideal for a large group (and only 45 minutes from Toulouse), this roomy gîte can accommodate up to 15 people
in 9 bedrooms and boasts a private swimming pool, spa and steam bath. The promise of a quiet holiday in a
traditional house where the owners have made comfort and a tasteful décor their top priority.
www.gite-lauragais.com
Quintalone gîtes in Auterive (Haute-Garonne)
This former smallholding near Toulouse, which adjoins an 18th century manor house, is home to three chambres d’hôtes in a house with something of an art gallery feel about it since it is decorated with fine works
of art acquired by the art-buff owners. As a bonus, the gîte boasts a large swimming pool which is very welcoming on a hot summer's day.
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Chambres d’hôtes
Château de Darrech in Plaisance (Gers)
This beautiful château, built in the mid-19th century and set in grounds of 6 hectares, featuring a swimming
pool and protected by a cedar of Lebanon over 250 years old, is a haven of peace and quiet 15 minutes
from Marciac. This is the first 5-key-rated chambre d'hôtes in Midi-Pyrénées, and is an absolute must.
www.charme-traditions.com/fr/chambres-d-hotes/chateau-de-darrech-h16567
Maison d’Hôtes du Petit Bassin in Auterive
(Haute Garonne)
This 1920s Art-Deco villa featuring beautiful
architecture and tasteful decoration has 3
bedrooms (sleeping a total of 6 guests) and a
studio apartment. An elegant address near
Toulouse which makes perfect business accommodation for example.
www.maison-hote-auterive.com
L'Annexe d’Aubrac (Aveyron)
Daarwin and Virginie, the new owners of this
dark-stone building in the centre of the village
of Aubrac, have drawn their inspiration for the
residence's décor from the mysterious land of
Transylvania. A wonderfully timeless and delightfully original place to stay.
www.lannexedaubrac.com
Le Clos des Lavandes in Séverac-le-Château
(Aveyron)
A charming Maison d'Hôtes in the heart of the
Aveyron countryside, Le Clos des Lavandes offers an amazing panoramic view of the medieval
town of Séverac-le-Château and remarkable facilities in a unique property. The three fully refurbished chambre d'hôte bedrooms and two
beautifully restored gîtes include use of a spa
area (spa, sauna and steam bath) and a gym
that surprisingly blends in perfectly with the 18th
century surroundings. Table d'hôte meals (with all
guests sitting together) are also available.
www.leclosdeslavandes.com
Chez Mimi et Nico in Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
In the little village of Gèdre near Gavarnie, Myrène and Nicolas have just finished renovating a beautiful
traditional barn to accommodate four cosy chambres d’hôtes in a contemporary take on the traditional
mountain style. Guests enjoy delicious and hearty table d’hôtes meals featuring local produce such as
lamb, cheese and the famous Pyrenean garbure soup.
www.location-chambres-gavarnie-gedre.com
La Villa du Parc à Argelès-Gazost (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Set in the grounds of the town's spa complex, la Villa du Parc is a fine 19th century gentleman's house with
four bedrooms that features a beautiful stone-and-brick façade typical of the architecture of the day.
Inside, the atmosphere draws its elegance from the soft colours and warm woodwork, all wrapped up in
an irresistible rural style that immediately creates a warm impression.
www.lavilladuparc.fr
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Unusual places to stay
Stay in a tree house, tepee, Inuit tent…
La Tuilerie du Gay in Saverdun (Ariège)
If you've always cherished this childhood dream or had a taste for adventure, now's your chance to realise
it! La Tuilerie du Gay near Toulouse offers guests the chance to stay in one of five tepees for a unique
and exotic way of getting back to nature. This establishment is certified under the 'Bienvenue à la Ferme'
farm stay scheme.
www.latuileriedugay.com
Le Nid Vert in Brengues (Lot)
Here you'll find a collection of circular tents of 20 m2 boasting
all the comforts of a room indoors for a rather different way
to relax, in the unspoilt and wild surroundings of the Célé Valley
near Figeac. Each tent stands on its own individual wooden terrace of 45 m2 which overlooks the valley and offers a stunning
view of the night sky from the deck chairs on each terrace. A
real haven of peace and quiet away from the rest of the world.
www.lenidvert.com
Tree house, bubble and Lov’Nid in Boutiès (Tarn et Garonne)
Keen to offer an environmentally friendly solution, the owners
of the Colline de Boutiès (20 km from Montauban) propose some
rather unusual accommodation in the form of a tree house
perched 8 metres up which sleeps 4 and is accessed via a rope
bridge, plus a wooden sphere known as the Lov’Nid, a completely round hut nestling 5 metres up which
provides a little love nest for 2 people. The concept is straight out of a master carpenter's imagination
and must be tried to be believed.
www.collinedebouties.blogspot.fr
... or try a bubble
Le Clos d’un Jour in Duravel (Lot)
In the heart of wine country (40 km from Figeac), this large transparent ball on a wide terrace makes a
rather striking feature in the landscape. Made of recyclable materials and occupying a terrace that also
boasts a jacuzzi, this futuristic home from home offers an unforgettable experience sleeping under the
stars.
www.leclosdunjour.fr/-Hebergement-insolite
Les Noct’en bulle in Cabrerets
(Lot)
Bruno and Pili have created an
amazing place for star gazing up
on the causse plateau, a place remarkably free of light pollution in
a 'dark sky' zone known as the
Triangle Noir du Quercy. The two
bubbles provide an uninterrupted view of the sky, and guests
have use of the nearby swimming
pool and the comforts of a beautifully restored barn where
breakfast is served.
www.noct-enbulle.fr
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Great Britain: Solenne ODON
Tel. : +33 (0)5 61 13 55 19 - +33 (0)6 82 82 62 30
[email protected]
United States & Canada: Birgitte REIMERS
Tel. : +33 (0)5 61 13 55 14 - +33 (0)6 10 30 86 52
[email protected]
Comité Régional du Tourisme
15 rue Rivals - CS 78543
31685 Toulouse cedex 6
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
© CRT Midi-Pyrénées - D. VIET / Musée Soulages / Office du Tourisme de Toulouse / © Luc Jennepin / © A. Piechta
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