Holiday in Occitania
Occitania, located in the sunny south of France, is one of the country’s most diverse and fascinating regions. It combines spectacular landscapes, cultural highlights, culinary delights and a rich history that delights travelers from all over the world.
Occitania is located in the south of France and is one of the French administrative regions. The region is divided into several smaller départements: Ariège, Aude, Aveyron, Gard, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Hérault, Lot, Lozère, Hautes-Pyrénées, Pyrénées-Orientales, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne. In terms of area, it stretches from the Aubrac to the Pyrenees on a north-south axis and from the Camargue in the Gard to Gascony on an east-west axis. The largest cities are Montpellier and Toulouse.
Occitania impresses with an incredible variety of nature. The Mediterranean coast offers endless sandy beaches and picturesque seaside resorts such as Collioure or Narbonne, which invite you to relax. Inland, rolling hills, vineyards and impressive gorges alternate. Those who love the mountains will find imposing peaks, crystal-clear mountain lakes and excellent opportunities for winter sports in the Pyrenees. The region combines the best of beach, mountains and rural idyll.
Occitania is rich in history and culture dating back to ancient times. The medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, captivates every visitor with its mighty walls and towers. The Roman remains in Nîmes, such as the impressive amphitheater or the Maison Carrée, are also an absolute highlight. The capital of the region, Toulouse, also known as “La Ville Rose” (the pink city), fascinates with its pink brick architecture.
The cuisine of Occitania is a feast for the senses. Regional specialties such as the famous cassoulet from Toulouse, the spicy tapenades from the Mediterranean coast or the fine oysters from Sète are a must for gourmets. The region is also known for its excellent wines: Discover the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon, one of the oldest and largest wine-growing regions in France. Here you can sample local wines during a wine tasting while enjoying the view over the vineyards.
Holidays in Occitania – what to discover
Do you know Toulouse? We were a little unprepared when we arrived but explored some really lovely places on our discovery tour through the city. I’d like to introduce our two favourite ones.
Coming to Toulouse automatically means being around Airbuses. You already get to see the first Airbus machines that are waiting to be delivered when you arrive at the airport.
The train takes a little over an hour from Toulouse to Carcassonne. We are huge fans of the board game of the same name and so we simply had to go. We set off on our excursion on a Saturday morning.
Travel information about Occitania
Arrival
By plane
The Occitanie region is easily accessible via nine international airports and one regional airport. The main airports are located near Toulouse and Montpellier.
By train
Occitania is crossed by two high-speed trains. These run from Perpignan to Figueras in Spain and the LGV Méditerranée. Numerous trains operated by the French operator SNCF also connect the region with major French and international cities. These run to the hubs of Toulouse and Montpellier.
By bus
Different long-distance bus lines arrive everywhere in the region. They connect Occitania with numerous national and international destinations.
By car
The entire area is served by numerous motorway connections. These come and go to all the surrounding regions.
The French-Spanish border in the Pyrenees can be crossed in the tunnel of Aragnouet-Bielsa or at the Col du Perthus.
By boat
The port of Séte connects the south of France with Morocco.
Best time to visit
Spring (March to May)
Temperatures: Occitania comes to life in spring. Temperatures rise from around 12°C in March to 18-22°C in May. Especially near the coast and inland, e.g. in Montpellier or Carcassonne, the days are mild and pleasant.
Rainy days: On average, there are 6-9 rainy days per month, with March being somewhat wetter than April and May.
Summer (June to August)
Temperatures: Summer is hot and dry. Average temperatures are 26-30°C, often higher in coastal regions such as the Côte Vermeille. In the hinterland, temperatures can easily exceed 35°C, especially in July and August.
Rainy days: There are only a few rainy days – around 2-4 days per month.
Fall (September to November)
Temperatures: Autumn begins pleasantly warm with temperatures around 22-25°C in September, dropping to around 12-15°C in November. September in particular often feels like an extension of summer.
Rainy days: The likelihood of rain increases slightly in the fall. There are about 6-8 rainy days per month, with November being the wettest month.
Winter (December to February)
Temperatures: Winter in Occitania is mild, especially near the coast. The average temperature is 8-12°C, but in the mountains of the Pyrenees it drops to 0-5°C and there is snow.
Rainy days: The number of rainy days is around 8-10 days per month, especially in December and January.
Language
In France, French is spoken, of course, but there is also the Occitan language. This is still spoken in the Occitan regions today.