Occitanie was formed in 2016 by merging the former Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon regions, so it now covers a much larger area — from Toulouse down to the Mediterranean coast.
Discover Authentic Occitanie: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Occitanie, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as the Château de Pennautier, the Lake of Saint-Ferréol and the Spiktri Street Art Universe.
Top 5 Things to Do in Occitanie
Toulouse
Known as la Ville Rose for the pink brick that colours half the city, especially around Place du Capitole at sunset. It's a city built for wandering — food markets, riverside paths along the Garonne, and cassoulet on every corner.
Carcassonne
A fully walled medieval citadel, double ramparts and all, sitting above the modern town. Visit early or after the day-trippers leave — the cité empties out fast once the tour buses go, and the stone changes colour as the sun drops.
Albi
Red-brick cathedral city on the Tarn, home to the largest collection of Toulouse-Lautrec's work anywhere, housed in the old bishops' palace. The cathedral itself, Sainte-Cécile, is one of the biggest brick buildings in the world.
Cordes-sur-Ciel
A fortified hill village that seems to float above the valley on misty mornings, hence the name. Cobbled lanes, gothic houses turned into artist workshops, and croquants de Cordes — the local almond biscuit — sold from tiny shopfronts.
Gaillac
Vineyard country along the Tarn, with one of France's oldest wine appellations. Cellar doors here pour reds, whites and the local sparkling perlé — ask for it slightly chilled.
Explore Occitanie's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Occitanie
We've mapped local spots around Carcassonne, Albi and Castres, up to the Pyrenees.
Châteaux & heritage
Château de Pennautier
Five kilometres from Carcassonne, a wine estate that once hosted Louis XIII, with 17th-century gardens by Le Nôtre listed as a 'Remarkable Garden'. Explore the grounds, tour the château and pick up a bottle. 16 minutes from our Mercure Carcassonne La Cité.
Pennautier, near Carcassonne · Château and winery · Perfect for wine and gardens
Château de Mauriac
Built in the 13th century near Albi and restored by painter Bernard Bistes, this fortified castle is hung with his works and looks out over the Gaillac vineyards. 29 minutes from our Mercure Albi Bastides.
Senouillac, near Albi · Castle · Made for art and views
Château-musée du Cayla
Between Cordes-sur-Ciel and Gaillac, the Languedoc manor where poet Maurice de Guérin was born, with literary walks and events all year. 30 minutes from our Mercure Albi Bastides.
Andillac · Manor museum · Ideal for a peaceful visit
Cordes-sur-Ciel
Founded in 1222 by Raymond VII of Toulouse, the 'city of a hundred Gothic arches' coils along its rocky spur. Wander up, slowly.
Tarn · Medieval village · Perfect for a day trip
Château & Jardins de Bournazel
Among France's finest Renaissance châteaux, built 1540–1560, with listed 'Jardins Remarquables'.
Aveyron · Château · Great for gardens
Abbaye-école de Sorèze
A former abbey-school displaying the joyful tapestries of the artist-monk Dom Robert.
Sorèze · Museum · Perfect for art
Maison Fabre
A family glove maker in Millau since 1924, one of the last to cut by hand. Join a guided tour.
Millau · Workshop · Made for crafts
Salles-la-Source
A waterfall tumbling down the cliff, and a museum of Rouergue arts and crafts in a former spinning mill.
Aveyron · Village · Great for families
Outdoors & unusual visits
Lake of Saint-Ferréol and Le Réservoir
At the source of the Canal du Midi, a forest lake for walks, swims and water sports. At the foot of the dam, Le Réservoir museum tells the story of the canal and Pierre-Paul Riquet. 35 minutes from our Mercure Castres.
Revel · Lake and museum · Perfect for summer days
Musée-Mine, Cagnac-les-Mines
Former miners rebuilt this pit, closed in 1979, so you can pull on a helmet and go underground – recreated firedamp explosion included. 15 minutes from our Mercure Albi.
Cagnac-les-Mines · Mining museum · Great for families
Spiktri Street Art Universe
In a former wine cooperative 30 minutes from Carcassonne, more than 2,500 street artworks across 2.4 km of galleries, where graffiti meets recycled art.
Near Carcassonne · Street art museum · Made for urban art
Grésigne Forest
One of Europe's largest oak forests: 3,600 hectares near Castelnau-de-Montmiral. Breathe deep.
Tarn · Forest · Ideal for walking
Téléski nautique de Bram
A cable water-ski park on Lac de Buzerens for waterskiing and wakeboarding, May to October.
Bram · Water sports · Perfect for active travellers
Pyrenees
Néouvielle Nature Reserve
Seventy lakes among rhododendrons and mountain pines below the 3,091-metre Néouvielle, reached by the Lakes Route from Saint-Lary.
Aure valley · Nature reserve · Made for hiking
Peyragudes
A four-season resort at 1,600 metres: 60 km of ski runs in winter, hiking in summer.
Louron valley · Mountain resort · Great for skiing
Balnéa
The first spa complex in the French Pyrenees, facing the peaks of the Louron valley. Soak and look up.
Loudenvielle · Spa · Perfect after a day outdoors
La Ferme des Miniatures
An educational farm in Loudenvielle with miniature goats, pigs, horses and more.
Loudenvielle · Farm · Made for kids
La Broche du Louron
An artisan bakery making gâteau à la broche, the Pyrenean cake cooked on a spit over a wood fire.
Loudenvielle · Bakery · Ideal for local treats
Le Saoussas Gourmand
Farmhouse cheeses, charcuterie and Pyrenean specialities. Your picnic, sorted.
Loudenvielle · Deli · Perfect for picnic supplies
Chèvrerie de Gouaux
A goat farm above the village of Gouaux, with daily visits and cheese-making explained by the owners.
Gouaux · Goat farm · Great for families
FAQ
Toulouse, thanks to its rail links to Albi and Carcassonne. If you'd rather stay closer to the medieval towns themselves, Albi or Carcassonne both work well as quieter alternatives.
Four to five days lets you see all three properly, with time to add a vineyard stop in Gaillac or an afternoon in Cordes-sur-Ciel.
The Château de Pennautier wine estate, 16 minutes away, and the Spiktri Street Art Universe, about 30 minutes away.
Go underground at the Musée-Mine in Cagnac-les-Mines, 15 minutes from Hotel Mercure Albi.
At the Lake of Saint-Ferréol, at the source of the Canal du Midi, about 35 minutes from Hotel Mercure Castres.
Where to Sleep in Occitanie
See our Mercure hotels across Occitanie, ideally placed to explore these picks.