La Haute-Garonne ? It is this department with the recognizable singing accent between thousand... It is also a mosaic of landscapes more varied the ones than the others, crossed by the Garonne and delimited by the high mountains of the Pyrenees. But Haute-Garonne is also a remarkable cultural heritage, intoxicating cities as well as endless visits and walks in the heart of breathtaking natural landscapes.
Start your discovery of Haute-Garonne with the beautiful and pink Toulouse. Very popular with tourists, Toulouse takes its nickname of "Ville Rose" from the bricks used to build its houses and its main buildings. A city of Art and History, it has an important artistic and architectural heritage, as evidenced by its splendid Renaissance mansions and its beautiful 16th century residences, built by pastel merchants (this plant with yellow flowers whose leaves are harvested to make blue dye). The Hotel d'Assézat is certainly one of the most beautiful hotels in the city, just like Clary and Bernuy. The religious monuments of the city also deserve your full attention : the Basilica of Saint Sernin, its crypt and octagonal bell tower are true jewels of Romanesque art. Built in the 6th century, it is the largest Romanesque complex in the world, and certainly one of the most majestic. The Jacobins convent, typical of Languedoc art, is also one of the things not to be missed in Toulouse, just like the famous Place du Capitole. Very lively, it is surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the Capitoline which houses the Theatre and the Town Hall. Stroll along its pretty streets, sit in the shade of its terraces and stroll along the banks of the Garonne on the promenade Henri-Martin, perfect place for a stroll under the Toulouse sun.
Linking Toulouse to Saint-Bertrand-de-Commiges, the "Voie du Piémont" is a popular route for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Marked out with churches, cathedrals and monasteries, this path will take you to Pibrac where you can visit its curious basilica, to Muret, to Rieux-Volvestre famous for its medieval streets as well as to Palaminy, a small village with many religious testimonies. Finally, once you have arrived in Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, take a tour of its medieval city, surrounded by ramparts and full of splendid half-timbered houses. Not to be missed, do not miss the visit to its cathedral : listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this Romanesque-Gothic building perched in the middle of cypress trees and vineyards is one of the jewels of the Haute-Garonne.
From Toulouse to Sète, the Canal du Midi (classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is one of the favourite places for cyclists and hikers who, according to the seasons, criss-cross its banks via the old towpaths. On foot, by bike or at the slow pace of the waves of the canal, you will embark for a stroll in the heart of the most beautiful villages of Haute-Garonne.
Favourite playground for thrill-seekers, the Pyrenees throne majestically to the south of the department. In summer as in winter, the village resorts of Haute-Garonne are full of skiers and hikers, like the resort of Superbagnères, famous for its views of the snow-covered and wooded forests that line its valleys. If in winter skiing and Nordic sports are kings, in summer, visitors hurry for a dive in the high-altitude lakes (such as Lake Gimone), waterfalls and whitewater Pyrenees that will introduce you to canyoning or rafting. The village of Aspet, situated in the middle of the Comminges hills (at the foot of the Pyrenees), is renowned for its many hiking routes through the surrounding passes, valleys and pastures. The Cagire peak is one of the places you will absolutely have to see : equipped with walking shoes, you need courage to climb all the way up this 1912-metre massif, but the sumptuous panorama over the waterfalls of Planque is worth the candle. During your stay, you can also go caving in the Arbas massif, ski in the Mourtis resort, climb up to the lake of Espingo, fly over the Montagne Noire, relax at the Luchon thermal baths or take a balloon ride in Mazères-sur-Salat.
Finally, the discovery of this department would not be perfect without an excursion to the vineyards and castles of Fronton, but also without the discovery of the bastides and castels of Montgiscard in Avignonet-Lauragais. As for local gastronomy, it's all about the duck ! Here, foie gras, magrets, violets from Toulouse, pistachio from Luchonnaise, millasson from Montréjeau, petram from Luchon, garlic, lamb, pork, cassoulet and PDO wines are sure to delight your taste buds.
