Holidays in the Midi-Pyrenees

Ariège, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne

About the region The Region: Midi-Pyrénées is huge - it’s the largest region in France, and bigger than Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands. It is generally mountainous, with the Pyrenees in the west, and the Massif Central in the East, and each department has its own identity.

Our regional site, FrenchEntrée Lot & Quercy, is spread over 2 French regions, Midi-Pyrénées and Aquitaine, and includes the departments of Lot, Lot et Garonne and Tarn et Garonne.

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The remote, rocky, mountainous area of the Pyrenees, adjacent to Spain, is the home of the Basque people. To the east of the Basque country is Toulouse, the large capital city of the Midi-Pyrénées, and then further north the landscape turns to rolling hills and castles bordering the Dordogne, with yet more remote mountains to the east. Consequently, the diverse scenery of the Midi-Pyrénées is stunning. It’s economy is largely agricultural, too, so most of the countryside is unspoilt farmland, rivers and forests.

Being on a natural border, this region has had an interesting history of Cathars and other religions, the troubadours and invasions. The past has left behind castles, medieval towns, abbeys, cathedrals and regional dialects.

In the north of the Midi-Pyrénées, far from the Pyrenees and the Spanish border, the many châteaux resulted from the English occupation of parts of Aquitaine, the next region up, during the Middle Ages.

Weather: Generally, the summers here are hot, the winters long and cold, but the size and diverse geology of the landscape means that there are a great many micro-climates in this region. Lowlands are milder in winter, the north can be a little cooler in summer, and the mountains cause snow or rainfall.


Gastronomy: Midi-Pyrénées is the home to a lot of the most reknowned French cheeses: Hard Basque cheeses made with goat’s, ewe’s or cow’s milk, Roquefort - the famous blue ewe’s milk cheese - and little, soft, round, gooey Rocamadour goat’s cheeses, from the cliff-clinging village of Rocamadour.

In addition to cheese, there are many traditional regional dishes and cuisines; Cassoulet, foie gras, lamb, hearty soups, and pastries and breads, such as ‘gâteau à la broche’, which is a spit-roast cake.

Finally, a huge variety of wine is produced in the numerous Appellations d’Origine Côntrolées of the region, and there is also, of course, the amber nectar of Armagnac.

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The Ariège: the perfect holiday destination

Nadia Jordan lives in the Ariège all year round, even when her neighbours up and leave for the coast in July and August. Why? Because, she says, it's not only a great place to live but the perfect holiday destination too. more...

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Paragliding (or parapenting) in the Pyrénées

Nadia Jordan takes to the sky over France Paragliding or parapenting as it is known in France, has recently emerged as the most popular way to take to the skies and is one of the fastest growing, year-round sports in the Midi-Pyrénées. more...

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Pyrenean walks for all abilities

The Pyrénées offer all that is best in walking. Serious trekkers will relish the chance to seek out the unexplored valleys of the high mountains while those who prefer an easier pace can stay closer to civilization, enjoying the culture and history of the area. more...

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