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 Local Occitanie: What to Do Around Mercure Occitanie
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?
Occitanie in 5 picks
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.
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.
Where to sleep
See our Mercure hotels across Occitanie, ideally placed to explore these picks.