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About the Midi-Pyrenees


AREA: 39151 Km˛
Population 2,505000 (2006) ranked 9th
Density 64/Km˛
Climate Continental
Capital Toulouse
Departments: Ariege 09, Aveyron 12, Gers 32, Haute-Garonne 31,
Haute-Pyrenees 65, Lot 46, Tarn 81 , Tarn et Garonne 82.
Situated in the heart of south west France, bourdered to the east by
the Languedoc-Roussillon region, then stretches north to the Massif
Central mountains of Auvergne. The western border is with Aquitaine and
finally the south borders Spain.
A landscape of ancient Bastide towns, villages, churches and castles
stepted in history with wooded hills on the Dordogne borders to the
great river valleys of the centre and the magnificient mountains of the
Pyrenees.
There are these three distinct areas each having a great deal to offer
the visitor, but it would be almost impossible to take in all that this
region has to offer in one visit.
The Lot and Auvergne departments are in the area known as the ¨ Massif
Central¨ in the north of the region and there is some spectacular
scenery to be found along the Lot Valley, the following villages and
towns are well worth a visit;
Auvillar, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Autoire,
Belcastel,
Cahors, Standing on a bend of the river Lot, it has an excellant market
and good shops, the Cahor vineyards run south along the
river valley.
Cordes-sur-Ciel; Mediaeval walled town with gothic buildings and timbered roof market hall.
Carennac,
Conques,
Estaing,
Figeaq, a quaint town.
Goutfre de Padirac,
Moissac, Famous for its clousters.
Montauban, a bastide town.
Najac,
Rocamadour,
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie,
Saint Come d'Olt,
Saint Eulalie d'Olt
Sauveterre-de-Rouergue
The central area contains the departments of Gers, Tarn and Tarn and
Garonne, often referred to as Gascony; A beautiful area of unsoilt
rolling countryside with ancient bastide towns;
Towns and villages of special interest are: Albi with its great red
bricked Cathedral, the museum which houses many of the works of
Toulouse-Lautrec who was born in the town.
Castres,
Gaillac a red bricked town of some note.
Bruniquel,
Lauzert,
Lectoure
Auch. The former capital of Gascony, standing high above the Gers river
the old town is approached by flights of stone steps and narrow roads.
Auch is in the heart of Armagnac country.
Fleurance,
Monreal-du-Gers,
Fource,
Larressingle, a smaller version of Carcassonne;
The South of the region are the departments of Ariege, Haute-Garonne and Haute-Pyrenees.
Spectacular scenery, an area of snow clad mountain peaks with wooded
valleys, good roads through the mountain passes, ideal for walking and
cycling.
Towns and villages worth a visit include:
Carbonne,
Cazeres,
Foix,
Montsegur,
Saint Bertrand de Comminges,
La Couvertoirade,
Lourdes,
The Pyrenees National Park and Mont Perdu
Bagneres de Luchon,
Camon,
