Top 10 Things to Do in Occitanie

The Padirac Caves (le gouffre de Padirac) are a natural cave system 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. Monumental is the word to describe this place where a natural cave marks the entrance to a 103 meter drop down to a subterranean river.

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 full of strange shapes until you arrive at the Lac de la Pluie, a lake of incomparable purity. Hanging over its crystal waters, the 60 m long La Grande Pendeloque stalactite admires its reflection. 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.

The Toulouse Lautrec Museum in Albi (Le musée Toulouse-Lautrec) is housed in the Berbie Palace (palais de la Berbie), one of the most famous monuments in what is known as the Episcopal City. It contains a unique collection of works by the artist who was born in the town. There are nearly 1,000 works displayed, including posters, paintings and drawings.

Each stage of the tour has useful information panels and it begins with works from his youth in Albi, when he was mainly interested in drawing his family, friends and animals. As the tour continues you'll discover his life in Paris where the themes change to brothels, the theater and the circus. 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.

The Aubrac plateau (le plateau de l’Aubrac) is a huge area of fabulous countryside that is also 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.

If you're up early in the morning or out just before dark you may see deer, foxes, boar, hare, badgers and otters, and 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 bœuf de l’Aubrac) or the aligot (a dish made from a blend of cheese and mashed potato). In brief, from Nasbinals to Laguiole, this plateau is an original landscape, relaxing and serene, whatever the season.

Aeroscopia was created in 2015, not far from the Airbus plant, and is an exceptional collection of planes tracing the history of aviation. It goes from the first flight of Clément Ader, through the Caravelle, which was the first ever civilian jet plane, to the much more modern A380 and A350.

Through models, photos and detailed information that tells you about how a plane is built or how it flies, you can explore this exciting world, and perhaps even come away with new career plans. And if you've always fancied flying a plane, there are several simulators that let you have a brief idea of what being a ilot is really like.

The 2,877-metre-high Pic du Midi de Bigorre is one of the 129 peaks in the Pyrenees and home to a working observatory that is much sought after because of the lack of light pollution, the purity of the air and the stable atmosphere. Going up the Pic du Midi is something you really should do during your vacations in Occitanie.

You're not a natural hiker? Don't worry! You can go up in the aerial cableway which leaves from Mongie, not far from the famous Tourmalet mountain pass, and enjoy a breathtaking view over the mountains. Much more interested in a challenge? Then get ready for between 700 and 950 meters of altitude gain over a distance of 13 to 20 km, 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.

Gavarnie (Le Cirque de Gavarnie) is the most spectacular cirque (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 is a fabulous landscape and it's easy to see why it's also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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.

The little yellow train is a truly original way to discover the most beautiful countryside in the Catalan Pyrenees. At a maximum speed of 30 km/h, it travels gently for 63 km passing Latour de Carol, Bourg Madame, Saillagouse, Font Romeu and Villefranche-de-Conflent.

The train runs all year long through various tunnels and over two spectacular bridges, the Séjourné viaduct (which is 65 m high) and the Gisclard suspension bridge overlooking a precipice. In the summer you can enjoy the wonderful views from an open carriage.

The Niaux caves (la grotte de Niaux) in the Arriègedate date 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), wearing solid shoes and carrying a flashlight, walk 800 meters through the rock to discover the impressive Salon Noir which is completely covered with Magdalenian era paintings of bison, horses, ibex and deer.

The visits are guided and your guide will tell you about the archeological excavations on the site, as well as Paleolithic art and shamanism.

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 10 km in total) leading to the wonderful Ars waterfall.

The gloriously blue water tumbles in three different falls over a total of 246 meters. 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.