Midi-Pyrénées –( Ariège, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne)

The midi-Pyrenees region of France has 8 different departments, consisting of the Ariège, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot, Tarn and the Tarn-et-Garonne.

Weather: Generally, the summers here are hot, the winters long and cold, but the size and diverse geology of the landscape means that there are a great many micro-climates in this region. Lowlands are milder in winter, the north can be a little cooler in summer, and the mountains cause snow or rainfall.

The Region: Midi-Pyrénées is huge - it’s the largest region in France, and bigger than Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands. It is generally mountainous, with the Pyrenees in the west, and the Massif Central in the East, and each department has its own identity.

The remote, rocky, mountainous area of the Pyrenees, adjacent to Spain, is the home of the Basque people. Slightly to the east is Toulouse, the large capital city of the Midi-Pyrénées, and then further north the landscape turns to rolling hills and castles next to the Dordogne, with yet more remote mountains to the east. Consequently, the diverse scenery of the Midi-Pyrénées is stunning. It’s economy is largely agricultural, too, so most of the countryside is unspoilt farmland, rivers and forests.

Being on a natural border, this region has had an interesting history of Cathars and other religions, the troubadours and invasions. The past has left behind castles, medieval towns, abbeys, cathedrals and regional dialects.

In the north of the Midi-Pyrénées, far from the Pyrenees and the Spanish border, the many châteaux are a result of the English occupation of parts of Aquitaine, the next region up, during the Middle Ages.

Gastronomy: Midi-Pyrénées is the home to a lot of the best French cheeses: Hard Basque cheeses made with goat’s, ewe’s or cow’s milk; the blue ewe’s milk cheese, Roquefort; little, soft, round, gooey Rocamadour goat’s cheeses, from the village of Rocamadour, which clings to high cliffs. In addition to cheese, there are many traditional regional dishes and cuisines; Cassoulet; foie gras, lamb, hearty soups, pastries and breads, such as ‘gâteau à la broche’, which is a spit-roast cake. Finally, all styles of wine are covered in the numerous Appellations d’Origine Côntrolées of the region, and there is also, of course, the amber nectar of Armagnac.

Looking for French properties for sale in Midi Pyrenees region of France, including the Ariège, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot, Tarn and the Tarn-et-Garonne? Or a complete list of Estate agents in France ? Then seach by selecting French department from our map of France on our database driven sister site: Property for sale in Midi Pyrenees