A journey deep into the flavors at the foot of the Pyrenees

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Many tourists associate holidays in France with Paris, the Eiffel Tower and relaxation on the world-famous Côte d'Azur. Most places in this country have become so popular among mass tourists that people looking for opportunities to learn about French culture and history have difficulty finding places that are still "untrodden". One such place is the Midi-Pyrenees region. Although it is one of the largest in the country, it cannot boast of magnificent palaces - but it will certainly delight you with medieval Qatari castles. It is also a region for those who like to get to know new places from the inside - literally and figuratively. Where should we start our holiday in the Midi-Pyrenees so that we can spend our time there as interestingly as possible? Certainly in Toulouse - a city that once inspired artists and today... aviation engineers!

Toulouse – sky-high travels

Visiting Toulouse is relatively easy and does not involve much spending. The capital of the Midi-Pyrenees region, this charming city lies in the shadow of the Pyrenees and is best explored on foot. Among the medieval buildings of the city, which was once one of the most important in France, we can easily find the atmosphere of the era of princes and princesses.

During your stay in Toulouse, it is worth visiting the Basilica of Saint Sernin - a magnificent church, awe-inspiring in its size, which is almost 1,000 years old. Then, to understand how powerful a city Toulouse once was, you need to go to the Hôtel d'Assézat - one of the largest Renaissance palaces in Europe, which impresses with its rich decorations and a spacious, carefully planned courtyard. Within the walls of the building there is something worth seeing - one of the largest private collections of European art on the continent. The next item on the agenda is a sky flight! We're not joking - it's in Toulouse that Airbus , which produces the largest planes in the world (including the double-deck giant - A380), has its headquarters. It is worth signing up for one of the trips during which you will be able to see the secrets of the production of the largest plane in the world.

Of course, no day of traveling in France would be complete without an appropriate amount of French cuisine! As in every place in this country, the cuisine here is deeply imbued with the spirit and character of the region.

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Food in Toulouse is rather simple and is based on one-pot, quick-to-prepare dishes based on fresh vegetables and excellent quality meat. Local specialties you must try include duck. Served in any form in most restaurants, it is the pride of the region's inhabitants: foie gras or confit (baked whole) - it will surely delight the stomach of every gourmet. In winter, it is worth trying the warming and very filling cassoulet . This is a traditional rural dish of southeastern France - meat and beans stewed in a clay or cast iron pot with lots of fresh herbs. Although it may be too filling in the middle of summer, it is perfect for cooler winter evenings!

Camping facilities in the Midi-Pyrenees

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If we are planning accommodation in the Midi-Pyrenees , it is worth considering before leaving what type of accommodation will suit us and, possibly, our family best. Since more and more people today decide to stay close to nature rather than in the center of crowded cities, it is worth considering staying overnight at a campsite.

In recent years , campsites in the Pyrenees have attracted increasing numbers of tourists who value privacy and independence. Many of them will certainly be convinced by Camping Quercy Vacances . This is a great place to recharge your batteries - located in a green forest that provides free aromatherapy, and is an excellent base for trips to the surrounding picturesque towns. On hot days, guests can relax in the swimming pool, while their children can play safely in the paddling pool and water park adapted to their needs. On warm, starry evenings you can enjoy excellent French cuisine and wine in the restaurant and bar.

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A. Żaba
A. Żaba

I love traveling, it's an understatement, it's just my whole life. I spend 80% of the year jumping here and there :)

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Barcelonnette - Spanish in name only – image 1
Places to visit
Barcelonnette - Spanish in name only
In the Provencal Alps, at the confluence of two beautiful valleys, there is a French town with a Spanish-sounding name and architecture with distinct Mexican accents. This is Barcelonnette, which has numerous ski resorts as its neighbors, and itself tempts with something completely different - a specific atmosphere, the possibility of blissful relaxation or active time spent among pristine Alpine nature. "Barcelonnette", naturally, is associated with Barcelona and is translated as a diminutive of its name. In terms of architecture, however, it does not resemble much the center famous for the Sagrada Familia temple or residential buildings designed by Antonio Gaudi (including Casa Batlló, Casa Vicens). The city owes its name to the fact that Ramon Berenguer IV, who founded it in the 13th century, was also the ruler of the seat of Catalonia. Barcelonnette is surrounded by Alpine peaks, the largest of which, Grand Berard, rises above the horizon north of the city. On the other side, the sky is decorated with Le Chapeau de Gendarme, considered the most picturesque of all the peaks that cast a shadow over the valleys of the Ubaye River and its tributary, the Bachelard. The town is beautifully situated on the flat bottom of the valley, and a little higher, in the background, there are pastures and meadows. Between them, small hamlets nestled in the landscape, looking as if time had stopped there for at least half a century. Even higher, the areas are covered with pine forests, and above them you can see the mountain peaks, jagged like the edges of a cordon handkerchief. What could be a more relaxing sight, what better place to holiday in the Alps than a campsite in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region ?.