Presentation of Occitania

Toulouse riverside

Region Description

The southwestern part of France, which borders Spain, is a region with many cities, each with its own unique characteristics, and is also known as Occitanie. You can enjoy different scenery in each city you visit, such as Toulouse, the “City of Roses,” the charming fortress of Carcassonne, and Lourdes, the miraculous site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared many times. Although it is an area facing the Mediterranean Sea, they often serve meat dishes such as duck confit.


Cities in Occitania

①Lourdes
②Toulouse
③Albi
④Carcassonne
⑤Perpignan
⑥Montpellier


①Lourdes

It is a sacred Catholic site that is visited by many pilgrims because of the legend that the Virgin Mary once appeared here. The church grounds are large enough to accommodate many pilgrims, and you can stop by the spring where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, and you can also take some water home with you.

★★★★☆

4 h 30


②Toulouse

It is the central city of the southwestern region and is also known as the “City of Roses” because of its red buildings. It is also known in France as a strong city in the aviation and space sectors.

★★★★☆

10 h


③Albi

Like Toulouse, it is a city lined with red buildings, but this one retains a more medieval atmosphere. The interior of the cathedral towering over the center is based on blue and is worth a visit. There is also a museum dedicated to Lautrec, who created many of the posters.

★★★★☆

4 h 30


④Carcassonne

Carcassonne is one of the most popular fortified cities in France. Inside the castle walls, you can see a view that looks like it was trapped in the medieval era, and you will feel like you have traveled back in time.

★★★★★

6 h


⑤Perpignan

It is a city steeped in Catalan culture. The narrow and miscellaneous streets of the old town have a somewhat Spanish atmosphere. The Royal Palace on the outskirts of town offers a panoramic view of the city and is highly recommended.

★★★☆☆

4 h 30


⑥Montpellier

It is the central city of the Languedoc region within the Occitanie region and is famous as an academic city. The old town is intricate like a maze, but I get the impression that it’s easy to come across some wonderful scenery just by walking aimlessly. Personally, I felt that it was a very comfortable environment to live in.

★★★★★

5 h


Specialty in Occitania

In addition to the duck confit introduced at the beginning as a specialty of the Occitanie region, cassoulet, a dish made by grilling white beans, duck meat, and sausage together, is also famous. You can also enjoy Catalan cuisine in Perpignan, which is influenced by Spain’s Catalonia region.


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