Guide to the Occitanie region

Occitanie, Land of Mountains and Sea

Set in southern France, Occitanie is the second-largest region in the country. Formed in 2016, Occitanie is composed of thirteen French departments, including the Aude, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales, Gard, Haute-Garonne, Gers - also called Gascony, the Tarn, Tarn et Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Aveyron just to name a few, each with it’s own traditions, culture and history.

Occitanie benefits from a variety of the most contrasting and beautiful landscapes – with the picturesque sandy beaches lapped by the warm Mediterranean Sea in the east, and mountainous, rocky landscapes further to the west – there is something for everyone.

Occitanie offers a beautiful setting for those with a passion for the outdoors – from skiing to bike rides; hiking to natural spas; rafting to paragliding - the region has it all. There is a heavy interest in golf Occitanie with a variety of courses to suit players at all levels – it makes the perfect destination for a golfing holiday.

Occitanie is further complimented by some of the best year-round climates. With warm winters, stunning springs, an abundance of summer sunshine and glorious autumns, there is no question why the region has long been a tourist hotspot and the dream destination for those wishing to start a new life in France.

Occitanie enjoys a rich cultural and historical heritage thanks to the melting pot of influences from Romans, Arabs and Celts. The region has many UNESCO World Heritage sites including the roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard which is a must-see when exploring the area. The local cuisine varies from Mediterranean delicacies such as olive-oil, mushrooms and fish.

The exquisite seafood platters featuring snails, sea urchins, mussels, clams and Thau basin oysters are a delightful feast for the stomach, as well as the eyes. The region also offers heartier, richer foods such as foie gras, cheeses, such as Roquefort, and cassoulet (meat and bean stew).

Occitanie is renowned for its fantastic wine production – with endless vineyards across the region, there are wines to suit every palette. The French have a wonderful skill of producing wines that complement the local cuisine perfectly!

The main cities of the Occitanie region are Toulouse, Carcassonne, Perpignan, Beziers, Nimes and Montpellier.  The region is less than two hours by plane from London and Montpellier and Toulouse airports connect to many internal and international destinations. Paris is around five hours away by TGV train and the road networks, as per most of France are very good. 

It is our favorite region of France for many reasons, we have roots in the Aude and the Pyrénées (We grew up there). Take a look at our large selection of properties for sale in Occitanie.