Traditional villages and towns In Occitania, an exceptional heritage

Autoire dans le Lot

Autoire dans le Lot, Dominique VIET

Lagrasse dans l'Aude

Lagrasse dans l'Aude, il de verre

La Garde-Guérin en Lozère

La Garde-Guérin en Lozère, Studionature.com

Mirepoix en Ariège

Mirepoix en Ariège, Dominique VIET

The "Most Beautiful Villages in France", "Towns and Villages in Bloom", Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire ("Towns and Lands of Art and History"): Occitania overflows with a wealth of incredible treasure. Our ever-so charming villages, fortified and medieval towns invite you to discover their history, their beauty, their authenticity. They forge our region's character and you'll definitely fall in love with them.

View all the remarkable villages and towns

The Most Beautiful Villages in France

You'll be wowed by them all

Loubressac, Carennac, Minerve, Belcastel,…: their names ring out and delight. Around 40 have now been granted the "Plus Beau Village de France" label: which just goes to show that our region is one of the most exquisite.
Red and ochre sandstone, hazelnut-coloured shale, white and golden limestone, a myriad of shades and materials across the land. Craftspeople, boutiques, cafés and restaurants animate their winding streets.

If you love the patina of old stones, the picturesque scenescapes of alleyways, the spice of history, then Occitania is the place to be!

Carennac dans le Lot

Carennac dans le Lot, Dominique VIET

Did you know?

Fortified towns are our speciality! Montauban, Marciac, Mirepoix, to name but a few... there are more than 300 in Occitania! These towns were established between the 12th and 14th centuries, built on regular plans around a central square where the local market would be held.

Towns and Lands of Art and History

They perpetuate our heritage

In Occitania, heritage is an adventure waiting for you around every corner, wowing you as you stroll along. Discover our numerous Towns of Art and History (Auch, Carcassonne, Uzès, …) as well as our Lands of Art and History (Pays de Pézenas, Cathar Pyrenees, …). 
Their heritage is so unique that they deserve this national label and, with their incredible will to share, they invite you to get to know them. 

Visits with tour guides, exhibitions and entertainment are waiting for you throughout the year.

Moissac dans le Tarn-et-Garonne_cloîttre_Patrice THEBAULT

Moissac dans le Tarn-et-Garonne, Patrice THEBAULT

Original

"Circulades" are circular-shaped villages built around a castle or a church, like Fourcès (Gers), Gruissan (Aude) and St-Pons-de-Mauchiens (Hérault). Yes, yet another of Occitania's specialities.

Towns and Villages in Bloom

They welcome you with flowers

If they've been granted this world-famous label, it means they are committed to welcoming you to their wondrous, delightful atmosphere where plants and blossoms reign supreme. Biodiversity, colours and fragrances in all their splendour!

Some villages and towns have been granted the highest rating with 4 Flowers, as green spaces and blossoms are part of the essence of their quality of life. So, come on, en route to discover Alès and Nîmes (Gard), Blaziert, Lectoure and Ordan Larroque (Gers), Fraisse-sur-Agoût (Hérault), Tarbes (Hautes-Pyrénées), Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales) as well as Albi (Tarn) and Cayriech (Tarn-et-Garonne).

Albi dans le Tarn

Albi dans le Tarn, Dominique VIET

Fourcès dans le Gers

Fourcès dans le Gers, Dominique VIET

Follow the labels

  • Plus beaux villages de France : ("Most Beautiful Villages in France") a highly-sought-after national label which protects and promotes the incredible heritage of French villages. 
  • Villes et Pays d’art et d’histoire : ("Town and Land of Art and History") a label granted by the French Ministry for Culture to promote access to our heritage's great wealth.
  • Villes et Villages Fleuris : ("Towns and Villages in Bloom") a national label for supporting municipalities which are devoted to quality of life and biodiversity.

In Occitania you'll also have a chance to visit Petites cités de caractère ("Small Picturesque Towns") (a national label) and Villages de caractère ("Picturesque Villages") (a label created by the Gard Department). 

Well worth a visit

In our region over 220 municipalities showcase one or more little red flowers on their town and village entrance signs designating the "Towns and Villages in Bloom" label.

All the remarkable villages in Occitanie

 

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How to get there?

  • By car: the region has a large number of motorways (A9, A20, A61, A75, …).
  • By plane: it has several airports, including the international airports of Toulouse, Montpellier and Lourdes.
  • By train: Occitania is accessible from all the major cities of France and European capitals.

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