Midi-Pyrénées attractions

The neoclassical facade and pediments of the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Daurade are an impressive sight on the riverfront promenade in Toulouse. There’s been a church on this site for over 1,500 years, and there’s plenty of history and intrigue to explore here.

Between France and Spain lie the Pyrenees mountains, a 305-mile (491-kilometer) range stretching from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean, separating the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe. These snow-dusted mountains have long been a playground for outdoor adventure, but the hilltop castles and alpine villages beckon as well.

Leafy forests in the scenic Black Mountain region of southern France shelter winding trails, clear streams, and cave entrances. Hiking, cycling, fishing, caving, and other outdoor pursuits lie within easy day-tripping distance of Carcassonne, while the towns of Mazamet and Hautpoul are windows into the region’s religious Cathar heritage.

Join the untold number of travelers who have passed through the Lombrives Cave (Grotte de Lombrives), used by humans as far back as the Neolithic era. The cave system, located near the Spanish border in the Pyrenees, is among the largest in Western Europe and is known for its caverns, rock formations, and crystals.

Dating back to the 13th century, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia (aka the Albi Cathedral, was built after the Church vanquished the Cathars, whose desire to make a new church was considered heretical. It's filled with interior frescos and houses the Great Moucherel Organ, one of the most beautiful organs in France.

Situated between Sarlat and Les Eyzies, the imposing Château de Puymartin features a blend of architectural styles spanning centuries. The interiors are full of paintings and stately furniture—you’ll even find a room decorated entirely with grayscale scenes from Greco-Roman mythology.

A popular spot for team-building activities, Happy Forest is an outdoor entertainment center that offers a variety of activities, from zorbing to ropes courses. There's an escape room, as well as a variety of farmyard animals, and pony rides are available for younger visitors.

If wine forms the body of France, the Fronton wine region is surely the country’s soul. Thought to be one of the oldest wine-growing areas in the country, the region’s first vines were planted by the Romans. Famous largely for its red wines, but with a 12 percent rosé production, Fronton sees 2,000-odd hours of annual sunshine per year—perfect for growing grapes.

Red and rosé wines star in this lesser-known wine region north of the medieval city of Carcassonne. The nearby Black Mountains (Montagne Noire) keep the climate relatively cool, and the most popular grape varieties include cabernet, grenache, merlot, and syrah. Many vineyards in the region welcome visitors for tours and tastings.

With its network of underground caverns dotted with dramatic stalactites, stalagmites and draperies, the Pech Merle Cave is a remarkable feat of nature, but the natural wonder is most famous for its prehistoric rock art. Dating back to around 25,000BC, the cave’s fascinating artworks include drawings, paintings and etchings depicting humans, horses, mammoths, bulls and bears.The impressively preserved images include a red hand stencil, a large red fish and a striking horse’s head, and archeologists estimate that the oldest date from the Gravettian era, while others date from the later Magdalenian culture (around 16,000BC). The cave is one of few of its kind in France open to the public and visitors can learn about the caves at the adjoining museum, before following a 2km long trail to explore the underground galleries.

In the shadow of the hilltop chateau of Rocamadour, Durandal Park offers a different kind of medieval attraction, with a spectacular schedule of equestrian shows. Daring, high-speed tricks and stunts, jousting displays, and medieval reenactments are all performed on horseback, ensuring a thrilling experience for all ages.