'Un jour'… in Occitane South of France, discovering its heart of heritage

Inspiration

Colombe Clier
© Colombe Clier

Reading time: 0 minPublished on 10 March 2023

France’s biggest region and an open-air wonder, the region captivates with the wild beauty of its open spaces, amazing natural sites, works of art, and the charm of its traditional little villages. It is an ode to a proud freedom, inviting you to explore the poetry found within its borders.

Canal du Midi

Colombe Clier
© Colombe Clier

The canal connects Toulouse with the Mediterranean along 360km of navigable watercourse, taking in 350 feats of engineering and 63 locks. Pierre-Paul Riquet built this extraordinary construction in the late 17th century, paving the way for the industrial revolution, and an enchanting journey.

Auvillar

Colombe Clier
© Colombe Clier

Pass the clocktower and explore the charming cobbled lanes of this must-see stopover on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Pass by the 19th century circular indoor market and you’ll find the Port de la Batellerie where the Garonne rolls by.

The Mazamet Footbridge

Colombe Clier
© Colombe Clier

You need a head for heights to reach Hautpoul, the medieval Cathar city at the gateway to the Black Mountain and its endless forests... With 70m of air beneath your feet, you’re guaranteed thrills and unbeatable views of the Arnette Valley.

Grands Causses Regional Nature Park

Colombe Clier
© Colombe Clier

Three millennia of farming has carved out these contrasting landscapes of high limestone plateaus and deep-cut valleys. A UNSECO World Heritage Site, this nature park preserves the natural beauty of 3000km² of plateaus, steppes, red soils and gorges.

Lectoure

Colombe Clier
© Colombe Clier

Its fortifications built atop the remains of a Roman-era city wall blend into the rock itself. A gothic cathedral, the Fountain of Diana, the chateau of the Counts of Armagnac, a Cordelier monastery, and a Carmelite chapel, Lectoure guards its treasures well!

The Cirque de Navacelles

Colombe Clier
© Colombe Clier

Protected by vertiginous cliffs at the heart of the Causses and Cévennes, occupying what was once a loop in the Vis River, from the many vantage points along its rim it forms a verdant, peaceful setting, as if where the world was born.



These sites are all certified by French heritage bodies...

Here, you are invited to explore the true gems of French heritage. Launched by the French Ministry of Culture, Un jour is a rallying call for 19 French heritage organisations to jointly promote the breadth and diversity of French culture and heritage found throughout the country. These certifications celebrate this diversity and attest to the quality of the attractions on offer. Come with us and experience the wonder of French heritage...


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By France.fr

The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…