Top 10 Things to Do in Occitanie
Different Things for You, Your Friends, and Family to Try in Occitanie
<p>Occitanie has so many different things to enjoy and explore with family, friends, or your partner. Whether you prefer museums, art, history, nature, or just want to get your adrenalin going, you are sure to find what you want in the balmy climate of this beautiful area of France.</p><p>After the fascinating museums there are mountains to climb, waterfalls to find, and endless walks in breath-taking scenery. Simple or unusual, peaceful or full of thrills, there’s plenty for you to explore.</p><p>Discover the top attractions in Occitanie.</p>
1. The Padirac Chasm
A fascinating visit to the depths of the Earth
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
<p>The Padirac Chasm (Gouffre de Padirac) is a natural cave that you can explore on your trip. Located in the Causses du Quercy park close to Rocamadour, the caves are an absolute must-see if you are in the Dordogne Valley.</p><p>Climb into the lift and enjoy the vertiginous descent into the depths of the Earth. Once you are there, step into a boat that will take you through a labyrinth of caves until you arrive at the Lac de la Pluie, a lake of incomparable purity. Once back on land you can walk to the impressively high Great Dome Cavern (Salle du Grand Dôme) full of concretions of all shapes and sizes.</p>
Location: Le Gouffre, 46500 Padirac, France
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm
Phone: +33 (0)5 65 33 64 56
The Padirac Chasm
2. The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum in Albi
An important collection in one of the most beautiful buildings in the city
Good for: Couples, Families, History
<p>The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum in Albi (Musée Toulouse-Lautrec) is housed in the Bishop’s Palace (Palais épiscopal de la Berbi), one of the most famous monuments in what is known as the Episcopal City. It contains a unique collection of works by the artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who was born in the town. There are nearly 1,000 works displayed, including posters, paintings, and drawings.</p><p>The tour begins with works from his youth in Albi and moves on to his life in Paris. Whether you’re just curious or a real art lover, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum will help you get to know this talented son of Albi much better and understand why the town is so proud of him.</p>
Location: Palais de la Berbie, Place Sainte-Cécile, 81000 Albi, France
Open: June–September: daily from 10 am to 6 pm. October–May: daily from 10 am to 12.30 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm
Phone: +33 (0)5 63 49 48 70
The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum in Albi
3. The Aubrac plateau
Wide open views of fabulous natural scenery
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Photo
<p>The Aubrac plateau (plateau de l’Aubrac) is a huge area of stunning countryside that is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Covering parts of Lozère, Aveyron, and Cantal, it offers you unspoiled views of flower-covered fields and thick forests.</p><p>If you’re up early in the morning or out just before dark, you may see deer, foxes, boar, hare, badgers, and otters, not forgetting the fabulous red kites circling in the sky. While you’re out you may well see small stone cabins know as “burons.” These rustic buildings are great places to try the famous local beef. From Nasbinals to Laguiole, this plateau is relaxing and serene whatever the season, remaining one of the best things to do in Occitanie.</p>
Location: 48260 Nasbinals, France
The Aubrac plateau
4. Aeroscopia
A unique journey into the history of planes
Good for: Couples, Families, History
<p>Aeroscopia was created in 2015, not far from the Airbus plant, and contains an exceptional collection of planes tracing the history of aviation. The museum journeys from the first flight of Clément Ader, through to the Caravelle, which was the first-ever civilian jet plane, and on to the modern A380 and A350.</p><p>Through models, photos, and detailed information that tells you about how a plane is built and how it flies, you can explore this exciting world. Perhaps you’ll even come away with new career plans. If you’ve always fancied flying a plane, there are several simulators that let you have a brief idea of what being a pilot is really like.</p>
Location: 1 Allée André Turcat, 31700 Blagnac, France
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm
Phone: +33 (0)5 34 39 42 00
Aeroscopia
5. The Pic du Midi
A fantastic view of the French Pyrenees
Good for: Adventure, History, Photo
<p>The 9,439-foot-high Pic du Midi de Bigorre is one of 129 peaks in the Pyrenees and home to a working observatory that was built over a century ago. Going up the mountain is something you really should do during your vacation in Occitanie.</p><p>Not a natural hiker? Don’t worry, you can go up in the cable car which leaves from Mongie. Much more interested in a challenge? Then get ready for between 2300 and 3100 feet of altitude gain over a distance of 8 to 12 miles, depending on which path you choose. Once you’ve looked at the orientation tables perhaps you’ll get your adrenaline pumping by trying the glass sky walkway, suspended above the void. Thrills guaranteed.</p>
Location: 65120 Sers, France
The Pic du Midi
6. The Cirque de Gavarnie
An almost magical natural site
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual
<p>The Cirque de Gavarnie is the most spectacular cirque, which is a geological feature created by glacial erosion over millions of years, in the Pyrenees. Surrounded by 16 mountains and having the highest waterfall in Europe, it’s a fabulous landscape and it’s easy to see why the cirque is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.</p><p>From the village of Gavarnie you can set out on foot, by donkey, or on horseback to visit a natural amphitheater with 3 layers of snowy tops, impressive cliffs, and wonderful waterfalls.</p>
Location: 65120 Gavarnie-Gèdre, France
The Cirque de Gavarnie
7. The Yellow Train
The most beautiful scenery of the Catalan Pyrenees seen by rail
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
<p>The Yellow Train, also knows as “the canary,” is a truly original way to discover the most beautiful countryside in the Catalan Pyrenees. At a maximum speed of 18 mph, it travels gently for 39 miles, passing Latour de Carol, Bourg Madame, Saillagouse, Font Romeu, and Villefranche-de-Conflent.</p><p>The train runs all year long through various tunnels and over two spectacular bridges. First there’s the Séjourné viaduct, which is 213 feet high, and second is the Gisclard suspension bridge, which overlooks a precipice. In the summer you can enjoy the wonderful views from an open carriage.</p>
Location: 1 Rue del Fraser, 66760 Enveitg, France
Open: Varies by season
Phone: +33 (0)800 31 31 31 31
The Yellow Train
8. The Cave of Niaux
A rare example of a painted cave that can still be visited
Good for: Couples, Families, Unusual
<p>The Cave of Niaux (Grotte de Niaux) in the Arriège dates back to the late stone age and will take you on a journey back in time. In a small group, to help protect the paintings, while wearing solid shoes and carrying a torch, you can walk 2600 feet through the rock to discover the impressive Salon Noir, which is completely covered with Magdalenian-era paintings of bison, horses, ibex, and deer.</p><p>The visits are guided and your guide will tell you about the archaeological excavations on the site, as well as Paleolithic art and shamanism. This is truly one of the most unique things to do in Occitanie.</p>
Location: 09400 Niaux, France
Open: Varies by season
Phone: +33 (0)5 61 05 10 10
The Cave of Niaux
9. Ars Waterfall
A pleasant walk to a stunning waterfall in the Pyrenees
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Photo
<p>Aulus-les-Bains is a mountain spa town surrounded by peaks and lots of paths suitable for all types of hikers. To help cool the whole family down on a hot summer day there’s nothing nicer than this walk, around 6 miles in total, that leads to the wonderful Ars waterfall (Cascade d’Ars).</p><p>The gloriously blue water tumbles in three different falls over a total of 807 feet. The waterfall is at its most powerful in May and June when the snows are melting, but whatever the season this is an unmissable sight in the Couserans region and well worth the walk.</p>
Location: 09140 Aulus-les-Bains, France
Ars Waterfall
10. Montauban Toy Museum
Toys you remember from your childhood
Good for: Families, History, Unusual
<p>Montauban’s Toy Museum (Musée de Jouets) is great fun, whether you’re young or old. This is an incredible collection of train sets, construction sets, models, puppets, and lots more, covering more than a century of childhood games. Learn the history and the funniest secrets of lead soldiers, toy cars, dolls, and wooden and soft toys.</p><p>If you love model making you’ll be fascinated by the detail on the circus, the bicycle race, and the boats, but there are also model towns, like Toulouse and Montauban itself, with its well-known bridge. When you’ve finished visiting the museum, the family can enjoy the playroom, which has table football, some games of skill, and a puppet theater.</p>
Location: 770 Boulevard Blaise Doumerc, 82000 Montauban, France
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +33 (0)5 63 20 27 06
Montauban Toy Museum
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