Midi Pyrenees Gites

Our guide to...

Midi Pyrenees

The Midi-Pyrénées region is one of colourful meadows, rivers, streams and mountain landscapes. The Pyrénées Mountains form the region’s southern boundary, and hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of things to do. If you consider yourself a bit of a foodie, then you’ll love what’s on offer throughout the Midi-Pyrénées. With more than 60,000 farms, this region is ideal for anyone wanting to taste authentic French wines, cheeses and pâte. Meanwhile, with some of the country’s best walking trails and outdoor spaces, there are plenty of ways to burn off those extra calories. Renting a self catering cottage or gite in this region gives you a great base for an activity based family holiday.Gitesearch - view of a typical self catering farmhouse in the Midi Pyrenees

In winter you can take to the slopes, and in summer you can canoe down the river. The departments of the Midi-Pyrénées are unique, individual and truly unforgettable, with attractions ranging from the famous pilgrimage site at Lourdes to the Parc Animalier des Pyrénées which contains themed lands ranging from the Valley of the Birds of Prey to the Kings of the Rocks.

Ariège is where you’ll find the Maison des Loups, a wolf park with five different subspecies from various parts of the world. Kids will love seeing the wolves in environments close to their natural habitats, within reach of some of the most spectacular mountains in Europe. As a family, take a step back in time to Le Parc de la Préhistoire, where you’ll meet prehistoric man and learn more about his culture, or visit one of the Ariège show caves below the surface of the earth. Visit a pick-your-own farm, see the butterflies at Les Papillons d’Amarante and view the turtles, tortoises, lizards and snakes at La Ferme des Reptiles. If you love nature then you’ll love Ariège.

The department of Aveyron, named after the Aveyron River, is home to the Château de Najac and part of the Cévennes National Park. It’s also where you’ll find the world’s tallest bridge, the Millau Viaduct, which extends up to 343 metres into the air. From the tallest bridge to some of the world’s smallest creatures, Aveyron has it all. Micropolis, the City of Insects, is one of the most interesting attractions in the Midi-Pyrénées and there are dozens of medieval villages to explore. Tour Aveyron’s scenery aboard the Velorail du Larzac, or visit the Reptilarium du Larzac and come face-to-face with the scaly and the slimy. Other things to do in Aveyron range from walking and cycling to paragliding, giving you a whole host of interesting ways to explore.

Gers, named after the Gers River, is a foodie’s paradise. A great variety of foods and drinks are grown and prepared throughout the department, and served in the restaurants of villages, towns and cities. Armagnac brandy is one of the exports of Gers, and fortified wines also make use of this particularly popular drink. Along with touring the farms and vineyards, you’ll be able to enjoy outdoor activities and go boating on the Baise. Museums and historic buildings are the main attractions, making Gers a department better suited to couples than to families.

The department of Haute-Garonne is home to the city of Toulouse, and the Cite De L’Espace (Space City) theme park and museum. Little adventurers can live out their dream of becoming an astronaut, and learn how it feels to walk on the surface of the moon. Back down on Earth, at Haute-Garonne’s African Safari Zoo, continue your expedition aboard a safari car that takes you to see the animals of the savannah. The Museum of Toulouse and the Botanical Gardens offer more than enough to fill an afternoon and there are dozens of other interesting historic buildings throughout the region of Haute-Garonne. The Animaparc zoo and family theme park is guaranteed to have the kids talking about their holiday for weeks, and anyone with an interest in art and culture should make sure that they’ve been to the Théâtre du Capitole before it’s time to check out of their gîte.

The Hautes-Pyrénées department shares a border with Spain, and is known for its hills and mountains. This is a favourite department for all types of tourists with attractions ranging from the famous pilgrimage site at Lourdes to the Parc Animalier des Pyrénées, which contains themed lands ranging from the Valley of the Birds of Prey to the Kings of the Rocks. There are underground caves, sky-high ski resorts and powerful waterfalls to take your breath away. Whether you hike, cycle or tour Hautes-Pyrénées by car, you’re guaranteed to end your holiday with plenty of stories to tell.

The department of Lot, named after its river, is known best for its waterways, its vineyards and its enchanting underground caves. It’s a place of natural beauty, free from commercialism and ideal for a gîte holiday focused around outdoor activities and occasional fine dining. Some of the most beautiful villages in France can be found in Lot, where horse riding, boating, caving, walking, cycling and climbing are amongst the most popular things to do. From the forests of the Dordogne Valley to the Rocher des Aigles bird sanctuary, Lot offers plenty of opportunities to appreciate the creations of Mother Nature. You’ll also want to take your camera to Figeac, to capture a snap of the replica Rosetta Stone.

Interesting and educational museums, spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites and wonderful medieval towns with their bustling markets draw holidaymakers to Tarn. It’s an idyllic department for anyone that loves to spend time in the great outdoors. What could be better than a relaxing boat ride, a family fishing trip or a walk through fields and vineyards? Most of the attractions in Tarn are small museums and monuments, worth a short visit but unlikely to distract you too much from days out in the open air. Of course, if you’re looking for a great day out then you can’t go wrong with a visit to Montredon-Labessonnié and Le Zoo des Trois Vallées.

Taking its name from the two rivers that run through the department, Tarn et Garonne has resisted the development of heavily commercial tourist attractions. Instead, your visit will see you amongst pretty little French towns and villages like the heritage town of Moissac, where the Tarn River and the Canal du Midi can be enjoyed by boat or on foot from the streets. Enjoy authentic French buildings, romantic destinations and mile after mile of open space, for a self catering gite holiday built around active days out and visits to magnificent monuments.

Choose the right gite or cottage for your family by using the link below.

Areas of Midi Pyrenees

Ariege
Ariège is where you'll find the Maison des Loups, a wolf park with five different subspecies from various parts of the world. Kids will love seeing the wolves in environments close to their natural habitats, within reach of some of the most spectacular mountains in Europe.

Aveyron
The department of Aveyron, named after the Aveyron River, is home to the Château de Najac and part of the Cévennes National Park. It's also where you'll find the world's tallest bridge, the Millau Viaduct, which extends up to 343 metres into the air.

Gers
Gers, named after the Gers River, is a foodie's paradise. A great variety of foods and drinks are grown and prepared throughout the department, and served in the restaurants of villages, towns and cities. Armagnac brandy is one of the exports of Gers.

Haute Garonne
The department of Haute-Garonne is home to the city of Toulouse, and the Cite De L'Espace (Space City) theme park and museum. Little adventurers can live out their dream of becoming an astronaut, and learn how it feels to walk on the surface of the moon.

Hautes Pyrenees
The Hautes-Pyrénées department shares a border with Spain, and is known for its hills and mountains. This is a favourite department for all types of tourists with attractions ranging from the famous pilgrimage site at Lourdes to the Parc Animalier des Pyrénées, which contains themed lands ranging from the Valley of the Birds of Prey to the Kings of the Rocks.

Lot
The department of Lot, named after its river, is known best for its waterways, its vineyards and its enchanting underground caves. It's a place of natural beauty, free from commercialism and ideal for a gîte holiday focused around outdoor activities and occasional fine dining. Some of the most beautiful villages in France can be found in Lot.

Tarn
Interesting and educational museums, spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites and wonderful medieval towns with their bustling markets draw holidaymakers to Tarn. It's an idyllic department for anyone that loves to spend time in the great outdoors.

Tarn et Garonne
Taking its name from the two rivers that run through the department, Tarn et Garonne has resisted the development of heavily commercial tourist attractions. Instead, your visit will see you amongst pretty little French towns and villages like the heritage town of Moissac.