Occitania, or ‘Occitanie’, is the third largest region of France: it is bigger than the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg all put together! Even Germany, which has some large regions, doesn’t have a region as big as Occitania. Now that you can picture its size, let’s talk about why you really should go to Occitania while you’re travelling through France.

As you can guess, there are many of places of interest in Occitanie and also secret places where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and vibrant history. Many places where you will be delighted by new tastes and sensations and typical landscapes of the south of France are to be discovered

Why go to Occitanie? 

If Occitanie is my favourite region, and that is mainly due to its landscapes. The word ‘landscape’ takes on a new dimension when you are travelling through Occitanie: mountains, rivers, the Mediterranean Sea, cereal and lavender fields, grazing lands, and the sky both as temperamental and generous as its inhabitants.

You can count on the sun and the twin winds: the ‘Mistral’ and ‘Tramontane’, to put a smile on your face 300 days a year. The climate is wonderful all year round – except in the Pyrenean area, where you can enjoy snow activities and thermal baths in Luchon in winter, however. The excellent weather is one of the reasons why locals have such warm personalities and seem to be happy all day. It’s even possible to feel welcome long before you return to the Occitania region. I can vouch for that!

Two main cities 

In the new Occitanie region, there are now two key cities: Toulouse and Montpellier – which will for sure create future conflict over which city is the best. Interestingly, both cities are leaders in technology and innovation, as the Occitanie region is our little Silicon Valley.

Toulouse

Toulouse also called the pink city, is the larger of the two cities and the official prefecture of Occitanie. The pink buildings are famous and in the evening, as the sun is setting, the walls ‘catch fire’ displaying stunning colours as the city switches from the quiet day life to lively nightlife.

In summer, which fortunately is half of the year in the Occitanie region, nothing is better than going to the local markets early in the morning to buy fresh and local products and meeting and chatting with the locals while you’re there.

‘Must-dos’ in Toulouse:

1. Visit the market in Castanet-Tolosan: it’s one of the oldest and most authentic markets near Toulouse and the perfect meeting place for les gourmands.
2. Take a walk in the streets of Toulouse in the evening when the air is fresher, and admire how the lights transform the buildings.
3. Toulouse is the European capital of aeronautics and space, so if there’s one experience not to be missed in Toulouse, it’s La Cité de l’espace. Unique in Europe, it’s a fun and educational adventure park about space. You can experience life as an astronaut with the Moon Runner and defy gravity.  You can see the Ariane V rocket replica as well as the Mir space station and the Soyouz capsule, then it’s possible to follow Thomas Pesquet’s tracks on his space mission and see Saturn during daylight! There is no other place in the world like it.

Montpellier 

Nonetheless, my preference lies with Montpellier with its car-free old city centre. The city is depicted as a traditional village which has grown into a bigger village with its narrow cobblestone streets, French architecture tinged with a Latin and Arabic influence, and people sitting on café terraces even in winter.

The city and the people of Montpellier represent a multicultural history, a deep belief that joie de vivre is a remedy against intolerance and racism, and a complex network of communities. Last but not least, Montpellier is a beautiful city with a population of ~250k, in a stunning region.

My advice: get lost in the streets, wander around, read a French author’s book while sitting on a café terrace and get a feel for the city.

North of the city, the La Vis river flows through the valley to a place called Le cirque de Navacelles. From the village on top of the canyon, listed by Unesco as a World heritage site, the view of this huge natural amphitheatre is spectacular and will make you feel simultaneously humble and powerful.

‘Must-dos’ in Montpellier:

• Enjoy high-quality exhibitions at Le pavillon populaire (photography) or at Le carré Sainte Anne (contemporary art), both with free entry.
• Take a walk in the botanical garden, the most ancient royal garden of France, and look for the so-called ‘mountain’, an artificial mound. Hint: you will find it at the heart of the garden.
• Have a break at La cocotte, a cosy, tiny, tasty restaurant in the centre of Montpellier: all dishes are served in a ‘cocotte’ and with a slightly kitschy ambience.

Best places to stay 

In the Occitanie region you will never have any problem booking great accommodation: if you’ve ever dreamt about sleeping in a castle, a mansion, an old watermill or a renovated shed/sheepfold, you can make your dreams come true as there are a wide range of beautiful places to stay during your journey.

1. Le Moulin de Guillauma

On your way to the western part of Occitanie, you can stay somewhere unusual: Le Moulin de Guillauma (Gers). This watermill is entirely renovated, in a natural environment for a unique experience. Its proximity to the river is perfect for fishing. There’s also a large tree garden for relaxing and plenty of activities for the kids. This place is the perfect family stay in Occitanie.

Le Moulin de Guillauma
32410 Castéra-Verduzan,
France

2. La Grange de Gassiole

This old shed is my favourite place to stay. Located in the middle of the Pyrenees, La Grange de Gassiole is unbelievable with its mountain views, fresh air, and charming lodging.

The shed is entirely renovated using materials from the past which takes you back to the days when shepherds were kings of the mountain.

3. La Vigne et le Blé

La Vigne et le Blé is a cosy place to stay and discover the region between Toulouse and Montauban. Surrounded by wheat and sunflower fields, this accommodation is very calm with a pool and a spa to relax in a delightful atmosphere. The owners are willing to share their passion for wine by organising a wine tasting for guests!

4. Le Château de Jonquières

Montpellier is a popular destination and there are many hotels in the city. Another superb accommodation option is, le Château de Jonquières, an ancient lord’s home turned into a family mansion with two hectares of Mediterranean gardens in the middle of the owner’s vineyards.

Best places for gastronomy lovers

I can’t write an article on any region of France without talking about food and wine. In Occitanie – as with every region – gastronomy is a way of life.

Il n’y a de bonheur pour l’homme sous le soleil qu’à manger et à boire, et à se réjouir
– A man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry.

From the east to the west of the region, we are lucky to have lots of talented chefs who specialise in both local and traditional food such as oysters from the Thau lagoon, Cod Brandade, melons and plums, goat cheese and sweet onion, Pyrenean lamb, Gascon beef, foie gras and natural wine…

With such culinary diversity, don’t expect to pick up every flavour straight away. It can take some time to become a genuine Occitanie gastronomic expert. To help you get there faster, I have selected four restaurants and one domain where you can test your tasting skills in the best environment, just like a local.

1. L’auberge du Vieux-Puits

At L’auberge du Vieux-Puits, in Fontjoncouse, a village of 150 inhabitants, the 3-star chef Gilles Goujon cooks speciality dishes from the Corbières area (Aude-11) such as a Goshawk ’palombe’ filet.

2. Le Phoebus 

Le Phoebus, located in Foix (Arièges-09), offers a stunning view of a castle as well as an extraordinary duck and foie gras menu that you will remember forever.

3. Le Puits de Saint Jacques

At le Puits de Saint Jacques, don’t miss the truffle menu during the one-month truffle season: February; or be adventurous with the fresh-from-the-market menu.

4. La table de Haute-Serre

La table de Haute-Serre (Lot-46) is run by a skilful chef who combines terroir with contemporary cuisine. It is located in a domain, le château de Haute-Serre, a famous vineyard. The winery and the restaurant together to create a unique, gastronomic experience.

Immersive experiences with locals

1. Winemakers of the Occitanie

Food is nothing without a matching wine, and fortunately, the Occitanie region has a wide variety of wonderful wine.

Do you know that the Languedoc-Roussillon vineyard is the oldest and the biggest in Europe? Winemakers are proud of their work and are willing to talk for hours about wine. So just ask them, you will be rewarded and gain knowledge. My favourite place would be the renowned Domaine Cazès, which specialises in Muscat and sweet wines.

2. Artisans of the Occitanie

Just like the winemakers, other artisans of the Occitanie region are keen to present their work and show you around their workshops. It is a unique opportunity to learn more about France with skilled local artists: knife makers, potters, and glove and hat makers.

In the village of Laguiole, you can learn how to craft your own knife!

And there is even a soap factory in Toulouse (Zenzitude) where you are invited to craft your own natural soap to take home.

So there you have it, the best places to truly immerse yourself in Occitanie: visit, explore, eat, drink and stay in the Occitanie region!

Have you ever been to any of the places listed above? What is your favourite thing about the Occitanie region? Share your experiences with us below!