Travel Blog

France is one of the most sough-out travel destinations in the world. Many tourists here enjoy the beautiful scenery, hillside wine regions, quaint towns, mountains, beautiful beaches, and river barge cruises. While many are familiar with the famous city of Paris, there is also one unique destination, full of luxurious outdoor experiences, that you should consider while visiting the country. Occitanie, France, is a warm, sunny southern region consisting of Aude, Ariege, and Pyrenees Orientales. In this article, we'll explore these grandeur attractions to help you plan your next visit to this magnificent region!

Chateaus

One of Occitanie's greatest attributes is its superb chateaus, offering you a historical experience and a deep dive into some of France's oldest history.

Chateaux de Lastours, Lastours

TheChateaux de Lastoursis a beautiful culmination of four historical castles. These structures sit atop a hill overlooking the beautiful village that resides below. Here, you'll find towers, spiral staircases, antique arched window fixtures, and a beautiful view of the valley and river surrounding the castles. If you're staying near the Lastours area, this chateaux is a must-see!

Chateau Comtal

The next Chateau on this list can be found in the beautiful city of Carcassonne. If you enjoy a more medieval aesthetic, theComtal chateauxare the perfect tourist spot for you. Built with high stone walls and a tower overlooking the area, you can walk through the structure and be transported back into the dark ages. Chateau Comtal is considered to be the largest city in Europe whose walls are still standing. Plenty of magnificent views, walkways, and statues keep you entertained throughout every level of this fantastic attraction.

Chateau de Foix

In the southernmost region of France, in the city of Foix, animpressive chateausits upon a rocky hill overlooking the village below. Built-in the 15th century, this fortress remains wonderfully intact, providing a unique and extravagant experience any tourist will enjoy. Here, you'll have the opportunity to explore the historical museum, where you'll find displays from prehistoric times and medieval archaeology.

Beaches

When you're in Occitanie, don't forget to dive into one of their many serene beaches. There are many beaches to choose from, all having their own unique qualities and experiences.

Espiguette Beach

Situated in the Mediterranean basin, Espiguette beach is a unique experience full of beautiful plants and native animals. With blue, clean waters, this is the perfect beach to bring the family, as there are also lifeguards on duty watching over the beach. Espiguette beach also has some of the vastest sand dunes in the area that are fun to explore, take pictures of, and enjoy a healthy dose of sunshine.

Off the coast of Serginan, just on the edge of the Orpellieres nature reserve, is the Orpellieres beach. If you're looking for a more natural landscape, consider visiting this beach. The sandy beach and dunes are unkept, meaning they are in their utmost natural state. The beach is also quiet and perfect for a silent retreat and disconnected from the world.

Couchant Beach

There's nothing better than pairing an afternoon at the beach with a luxurious shopping trip. At Couchant Beach in La Grande-Motte, you can have the best of both worlds. Consider stopping here to enjoy the beautiful, soft sand, family-friendly shoreline, boutiques, carousel, and cuisine.

Vineyards

Occitanie is famous for its authentic vineyards scattered across the region. If you're a wine lover or enjoy a peaceful retreat, consider stopping by one of these upscale vineyards.

Mas Baux

TheMas Baux vineyardis located in the province of Roussillon. The fully-operational vineyard prides itself on its organic growing, harvesting, and production. Visiting this vineyard is a beautiful experience, seeing their 20 hectares of land and fully restored 18thcentury houses. Their winemaker, Serge Baux's practice heavily involves respecting nature throughout their entire process. The Mediterranean is nearby, perfect for taking a walk on the beach after your visit here.

Seigneurie De Peyrat

TheSeingeurie de Peyratresides in the Pézenas area. This vineyard specializes in both red and white wines; they have a variety for just about anyone. Here, you'll find some of the most delicious grape varieties, like merlot, carignan, syrah, pinot noir, colombard, Vermentino, and many more. Upon arrival, you have the opportunity to visit their prestige castle, chapel, and cellar, to get the full experience of the vineyard.

Domaine Saint Hilaire

Lastly, thishistoric vineyardis set in the beautiful land of Languedoc. Here, you can join a wine tasting for free, check out their art gallery, browse the summer historical exhibition, and walk about their luscious vineyards. They also offer delicious tapas and barbecues and have the option to serve three- course lunches.

Mountains

Occitanie has some of the most scenic mountains, perfect for a day of hiking and looking out over the beautiful land of southern France. Expect a full day of spending time outdoors, taking pictures, and exploring France's natural landscape.

10 Gr Grande Rue

The Gr 10 mountains are green and vibrant; hiking them keeps you in a state of awe. You'll scale the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea along the hike. There are plenty of spots to relax, take pictures, and even have a picnic. You can also cool off in the bodies of water at the base of the mountains.

The highest mountains in the Pyrenees are the Canigou mountains. These mountains overlook the Mediterranean sea and the Roussillon plain. Here, you can hike, climb at your leisure, and enjoy the beauty of Southern France's natural landscape. The Canigou mountains are just as magnificent throughout all of the seasons and worth exploring any time of the year.

Pic Saint-Loop

In the Occitan region, the Pic Saint-Loop mountains reside right at the edge of Cazevielle and Valflaunes. These mountains are rough and rustic and such a nice view to see. There are plenty of areas to hike and explore the mountainous cliffs, and each is full of the wonder of the Garrigues region.

River Barge Cruises

If you're looking for a relaxing day out on the water, consider checking out one of the south of France's river barge cruises. There are many options to choose from, and some hotels may host their own barge cruises included in your stay. A barge ship is a luxurious boat that sails through a particular region in France. One of the highlights of this attraction is the food and amenities offered on the ship. Barge cruises often carry fewer passengers than a traditional river boat, so the experience is much more intimate. As you sail down the river, the cruise may stop, allowing you to get off in new areas to explore the shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a luxury vacation full of delicious food, authentic wine, relaxing beach days, mountainous hikes, and river cruising, Occitanie is the perfect destination for your next vacation. Explore the beauty of the South of France, learn about the rich culture, and find out why people from all over the world love to visit this beautiful country!