The Aude département (11 Languedoc-Roussillon) straddles the Autouroute des Deux Mers (A62) as it heads east from Narbonne towards Toulouse and eventually Bordeaux. The autoroute follows the flattish valley bottom…
Toulouse (31 Haut Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees) is known as the Pink City but violet is the colour for February. Every year in February, during the flowering season of this highly-perfumed little…
A personal favourite, Domaine Berthomieu is a small domaine (26 hectares) in the village of Viella (32 Gers, Midi-Pyrenees), in the north of the Madiran appellation. The domaine has been…
It all started in Paris with the Velib' Scheme - an amalgam of Velo (cycle) and Liberte (free), which has been a tremendous success. The latest we've come across is…
The beautiful and elegant Viaduc de Millau designed by Norman Foster is a breathtaking sight in the middle of an otherwise little-known region of France. The stunning photograph here comes…
Most French autoroutes between major towns and cities are toll motorways, which whilst often offering fast and uncrowded dual-carriageways, can nevertheless add significantly to the cost of a trip through…
The Independent (25 Aug 07) has a short guide to Toulouse (32 Haut-Garonne) by Simon Calder. By far the largest city in the Midi-Pyrenees it is a mix of ancient…
Nimes (30 Gard, Languedoc-Roussillon) celebrates the grape harvest with a 3–day festival centred around Bullfighting – Corridas, but you really do not have to get involved with the bulls to…
Nimes (30 Gard, Occitanie ) like many towns and cities on or close to the Mediterranean coast, has a long tradition of bullfighting and many of their festivities are centred…
Between Montauban (82 Tarn et Garonne, Occitanie) and Toulousethe town of Fronton celebrates a weekend of scents and flavours including the local wines from Fronton AC (previously known as the…
High in the Pyrenees southwest of Toulouse, the town of Bagneres de Luchon (31 Haut-Garonne, Occitanie) celebrates its annual Flower Festival bringing more colour to this already attractive town surrounded…
A festival to celebrate the connection between windmills and bread (Fete du Four au Moulin) including a demonstration of milling the flour in the traditional manner (wind permitting!) - plus…
The Chateau Rieutort de Blanville at Saint-Pargoire (34230 Herault, Languedoc), north of Pezenas is a very stylish chateau surrounded by vines – the chateau estate producing classy wines in the…
Gailac (81 Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees) holds its annual 2–day wine fair every August. Red,white and rose wines from lesser known grape varieties such as Mauzac and l’En d’El. 4–5 Aug 07…
The village of Lautrec (81 Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees) near Albi holds its annual Pink Garlic Festival - La fête de l'Ail Rose de Lautrec.The highlights include the free tasting of the…
Jazz in Marciac, (32 Gers, Occitanie) This normally tranquil bastide town in deepest Gascony hosts a world-class Jazz festival during the first three weeks on August every year 22…
28-31 July 2022 - a Festival of Afro, Cuban, Salsa and Latin music and dance, in the middle of the otherwise sleepy département of Gers (32, Occitanie) - snazzy website…
The Languedoc’s climate is not generally very conducive to the development of traditional gardens, but down near Pezenas (34 Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon) , Françoise et Daniel Malgouyres set about clearing an…
The medieval city of Carcassonne (11 Aude, Languedoc) is both the setting and backdrop of a fantatic light and firework show to celebrate Bastille Day. The fortified medieval city of…