PRESS PACK COMITÉ RÉGIONAL DU TOURISME MIDI-PYRÉNÉES THE UNMISSABLES

Conducted by the Comité Régional du Tourisme Midi-Pyrénées www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk PRESS PACK THE UNMISSABLES

CONTENTS

REGION PROFILE PAGE 3 GREAT FIGURES THROUGH HISTORY PAGE 10 THE GREAT TOURIST - Soulages, -Lautrec, Champollion. SITES IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES PAGE 4 - Ingres, D’Artagnan, Pierre-Paul Riquet - Norman Foster, The aviation pioneers THE GREAT OUTDOORS PAGE 5 - The scientists and labourers of the Pic du Mid - The Pyrenees - Nature Parks GREAT FEATURES - Gorges and valleys OF THE REGION PAGE 14 - Two good reasons to explore the Valley - Well-being and thermal spas - High plateaux & great causses - Gastronomy - Prehistoric caves - Handicrafts - The great festivals OUTDOOR RECREATION PAGE 7 - Walking and hiking - River tourism - Cycling

2 PRESS PACK THE UNMISSABLES

REGION PROFILE

Famous for its enthusiastic combination of heritage and quality of life, Midi-Pyré- nées is a region full of vitality and bursting with ideas and innovations: Toulouse, ’s third university city and Europe’s aerospace capital, is home to the vast assembly plants of Airbus, the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS One of France’s sunniest regions (with an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine eve- ry year), Midi-Pyrénées offers vast areas of countryside and an endless range of spectacular scenery such as the Gorges, the Aveyron Gorges, the Valley, the Valley, the high peaks of the Pyrenees, and more… With 30,000 km of waymarked footpaths, the Pyrenees National Park and 4 Regional Nature Parks, Midi-Pyrénées is the perfect destination for hiking, cycling, horse riding, white wa- ter sports, river tourism on the Canal du Midi and other waterways, plus skiing and snowsports in the Pyrenees.

GREAT FIGURES THROUGH HISTORY Soulages, Toulouse-Lautrec, Champollion, Pierre-Paul Riquet, Jean-Auguste-Domi- nique Ingres, the aviation pioneers: a host of great figures from history have given Midi-Pyrénées an outstanding heritage that lives on today in what they have left behind.

THE REGION’S GREAT PRODUCE AND EVENTS The home of Roquefort, foie gras, the black truffle, saffron and some hun- dred other quality-certified products, Midi-Pyrénées is also a land of vineyards that boasts 15 AOPs (Protected Designation of Origin wines) and a tradition of quality craftsmanship. What’s more, Midi-Pyrénées hosts around a hundred festivals, some of which are world-famous, such as the Jazz in Marciac festival, the Sylvanès Festival of Religious Music, and Rio Loco in Toulouse.

THE GREAT TOURIST SITES IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES Midi-Pyrénées owes its fame to 26 Great Tourist Sites known all over the world, inclu- ding Viaduct, the Pic du Midi with its astronomical observatory, the Cirque de Gavarnie (a Unesco World Heritage Site), the great pilgrimage site of Lourdes, Albi and the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, and the Pont Valentré, but also Conques, , , and a host of others…

Toulouse, Canal des Deux Mers, Luchon, Saint Bertrand de Comminges – Valcabrère, The Ariège Collection (Niaux Caves, Mas d’Azil Caves, Saint Lizier, Foix, Montségur, Mirepoix), , , Conques, Villefranche de – Najac, Auch, Marciac, Flaran-Baïse-Armagnac, Pic du Midi, Cauterets-Pont d’Espagne, Cirque de Gavarnie, Lourdes, Cahors, Rocamadour, Saint Cirq Lapopie – Pech Merle, , Dordogne Valley, Sorèze – Revel-Saint Ferréol, the source of the Canal du Midi, Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel, and Moissac.

3 The Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyrénées Shining examples not only of Midi-Pyrénées' beauty and history but also of its desire to welcome visitors and show off its splendours, the 26 The only collection of its kind in Great Tourist Sites are the ambassadors of this fascinating and di - France verse region. The 26 Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyré - nées operate as a network, with the sup - Launched by the Midi-Pyrénées Region in 2008, the 'Grand Site Midi-Pyrénées' port of regional, departmental and local (Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées) designation identifies the attractions institutions, each working closely together of particular interest in order to preserve and promote the region's fas - with the others to spread the word about cinating cultural and natural heritage, recognised as remarkable both na - the attractions of Midi-Pyrénées and to tionally and internationally. The towns, villages and natural attractions that continue to work hard to offer visitors today qualify for this designation have signed a contract to guarantee what they want. A collection unrivalled that they offer quality in the long term. This quality concerns visitor re - anywhere in France in terms of its size, ception and information, tourist facilities and services, accessibility, and coherence and diversity. preservation of the environment. The 'Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyrénées' programme is supported by the European Union. The Great Outdoors

THE PYRENEES Stretching across three départements along the French-Spanish border (Haute Garonne, Ariège and Hautes Pyrénées), the Pyrenees are a contrasting mix of the grandiose and the reassuringly familiar: po - werful, lofty mountain peaks rub shoulders with high-level meadows where cows and horse graze peacefully, and villages clad in schist and slate cling to the sides of valleys buzzing with activity. The Ax, Bethmale, Skiing the Pyrenees Luchon, Aure, Louron, Campan, and Barèges Valleys: each of these cor - Midi-Pyrénées boasts 22 Pyrenean winter ners of countryside retains its own unique character and remains sports resorts. The Tourmalet-La Mongie, firmly rooted in a way of life shaped by pastoralism over the centuries. Saint Lary Soulan, Peyragudes, Luchon-Su - The Midi-Pyrénées region runs right up to the highest part of the Pyre - perbagnères, Plateau de Beille and Ax-3-Do - nees, home to the great three-thousand-metre peaks. Balaïtous (3,144 maines ski areas offer an extremely wide m), Vignemale (3,298 m), Pic Long (3,192 m), Pic du Midi (2,877 m): the line of variety of skiing. The nordic area in the high summits is endless, and in between are glacial cirques that will take Monts d’Aubrac in Aveyron completes the your breath away. Carved out by gigantic glaciers long since gone, these region's skiing, which gives our customers cirques are one of the distinctive features of the Pyrenees. The Cirque what they are looking for, in unspoilt surroun - Gavarnie de , described by Victor Hugo as "an impossible and extraordi - dings. Designed for all the snowsports (al - Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées nary object," is a and the best-known pine skiing, nordic skiing, snowboarding, Great Tourist Site of them. Another outstanding attraction, also a , is etc.), the Pyrenean ski resorts have chan - Pont d’Espagne Cauterets the near , where you'll find a festival of wa - ged, developed their facilities and diversified, terfalls. Mountain lakes are also one of the features characteristic of most of them now also offering health and the Pyrenees. The Néouvielle Nature Reserve is home to no fewer than fitness facilities while holding on to what it is 80 of them, their crystal-clear waters ranging in colour from steely blue that makes them special: a true respect for to mint green. the mountains and excellent sporting ame - The Pyrenees are of course the perfect destination for all sorts of ac - nities in a warmly welcoming atmosphere, tivities that almost anyone can do: canyoning, rafting, hydrospeed, via ferrata, rock climbing and paragliding are all different ways of exploring with plenty going on at night in the valleys. everything these mountains have to offer. The most energetic can even get on a bike and take on the climb to the Col du Tourmalet. NATURE PARKS There is no shortage of space in Midi-Pyrénées, which is home to four Regional Nature Parks , the Grands Causses (Aveyron), the Haut Langue - doc (which straddles the border between the départements of Tarn and Hérault in -Roussillon), the Pyrénées Ariégeoises (Ariège) and the Causses du Quercy (Lot). These rural areas have a remarkable but fragile natural, cultural and human heritage and work hard to en - sure quality tourism that focuses on exploration and contact with the locals. It is in the heart of the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park that you will find Rocamadour, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées, Interesting fact: the Aubrac Regio - its only road leading up to the Parvis des Sanctuaires that stands nal Nature Park is currently being proud in the centre of this great historical settlement. formed, made up of 12 communes in It is also in Midi-Pyrénées that you can reach the heart of the Pyrenees Cantal (Auvergne), 48 communes in National Park , (100 km from east to west). In addition, the Pyrenees' na - Lozère (Languedoc-Roussillon) and ture reserves ensure the protection of the countless endemic plant 47 communes in Aveyron (Midi-Pyré - and animal species: the Orlu and Mont Valier Reserves in Ariège and the nées). Néouvielle Nature Reserve in Hautes Pyrénées. Protected nature areas account for 20% of the surface area of Midi-Pyrénées. GORGES AND VALLEYS Midi-Pyrénées is crossed by five major valleys whose geology, length and diverse courses form scenery fa - mous for its spectacular views, historical heritage and outdoor recreation potential. The cliffs of the Lot Valley upstream from Cahors, the hillsides of the Garonne Valley, the meanders of the Aveyron Gorge crowned with clifftop villages and the narrow, plunging Tarn Gorge are just some of the unmissable sights to be explored. The Dordogne Valley, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées , features stunning countryside full of little treasures stretching for some sixty kilometres through the north of the Lot département. TWO GOOD REASONS TO EXPLORE THE AVEYRON VALLEY Najac and Villefranche de Rouergue, which together make up one of the Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyrénées , are the perfect excuse to stop off in the Aveyron Valley. The crowning glories of the officially recognised 'Pays d'Art et d'Histoire des Bastides du Rouergue', the bastides were 'new towns' that flourished in Midi-Pyrénées during the Middle Ages. Villefranche de Rouergue, occupying the side of the Aveyron Valley, is a fine example of the urban deve - lopment invented with the bastides. At the entrance to the wild Aveyron Gorge, Najac consists of a single street lined with fine medieval houses leading to Place du Barry. THE HIGH PLATEAUX AND GREAT CAUSSES Vast stretches of arid land: the high plateau of the Aubrac (altitude 800 to 1,000 m) in the north of Aveyron forms one of the most original landscapes in the South of France. Sometimes compared to the steppes of Mongolia, it is the kind of place that leaves a profound impression on you. The home of the famous Laguiole knife, the Aubrac is by nature a land of farming and traditions. In the south of Aveyron you'll find the great causses, the , the Causse Noir and the Causse de Sauveterre, which are protected within the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park. As a result of erosion, these vast limestone plateaux are fringed with cliffs towering over the gorges carved out by the Rivers Tarn, Jonte and Dourbie. This exotic landscape of dolomitic rock, short grass and orchids stretches to endless horizons in every direction. Note that the Larzac, famous for the ancient cities built there by the Knights Templar, is also where Roquefort cheese is produced. It achieved the ultimate recognition in 2011 when it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (status awarded to the Cévennes and Causses as a whole, of which it forms a part). PREHISTORIC CAVES Ariège and the giants of prehistory Among the most impressive of the caves in Ariège is Niaux, the largest decorated cave in Europe along with the cave at Lascaux and famous for features such as the 'Salon Noir', decorated with hundreds of lifelike paintings of bison, deer, horses, etc. Still in Ariège, you should also see the immense Mas d'Azil Cave, a real natural curiosity which gave its name to the Azilian civilisation and has offered up a huge number of works of art that are today on show at the Musée du Mas d'Azil.

Wall art wonders in Lot Next, we head for the Lot département, another important area of prehistoric interest. Here you will find Pech Merle Cave at Cabrerets in the Célé Valley. The seven imposing cave sections making up this sanctuary are home to some truly magnificent examples of wall art : engravings, paintings, enigmatic marks, handprints, footprints and more… Outdoor recreation

WALKING AND HIKING The region has nearly 30,000 km of waymarked footpaths of different categories: 'Promenades et Randonnées' paths (PR) for shorter walks, long-distance 'Grande Randonnée' (GR) footpaths, 'Grande Randonnée Transpyrénéens' (GRT) paths right across the Pyrenees and local 'Grande Randon - née de Pays' (GRP) paths, which focus on a particular area or theme: castles and bastides, vineyards and gastronomy, natural attractions, etc. What's more, Midi-Pyrénées has the privilege of being cros - Spotlight: 3 Grandes Parajes al azar del Camino sed by 3 major routes of the St James's Way pilgrimage Moissac: a major staging post on St James's Way trail to Santiago de Compostela: the Le Puy route (GR 65) since the Middle Ages, Moissac is home to the and the Arles route (GR 653), plus the Pyrenean Foothills Abbey of Saint Pierre, a UNESCO World Heritage route (GR 78), an alternative to the Arles route. The legen - Site famous for its portal decorated with a mo - dary GR 10 is also one of the region's most prestigious hiking numental Judgment Day tympanum and its clois - routes. This long-distance footpath runs the length of the ter. Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, with the Conques: an unmissable staging post on the Le section in Midi-Pyrénées, passing through Ariège, Haute Ga - Puy route, the most famous of the pilgrimage ronne and Hautes Pyrénées, taking 40 days to walk. routes to Santiago de Compostela, Conques is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for two monu - St James's Way to Santiago de Compostela ments: the Abbey Church of Sainte Foy, famous Every year, hundreds of walkers from very different back - for its Judgment Day tympanum and contempo - grounds choose Midi-Pyrénées to walk St James's Way to rary stained-glass windows by Pierre Soulages, Santiago de Compostela. Wide open spaces, unspoilt coun - and the Pilgrims' Bridge across the River Dour - tryside, silence and solitude: the region is the perfect place dou. to have the authentic experience of walking one of the Cahors: the Pont Valentré, a 14th century forti - three main pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. fied bridge on the River Lot is a UNESCO World These are the Le Puy-en-Velay route, the Arles route and Heritage Site, as is the Cathedral of Saint the Pyrenean Foothills route. The region is home to 135 km Étienne as part of St James's Way to Santiago of sections of the trail that are UNESCO World Heritage de Compostela. Sites (all on the Le Puy route) and 33 World Heritage monu - ments which are important stopping-off points along the way (France has 76 in all). Notable monuments include the abbey churches in Conques and Moissac, the Basilica of Saint Sernin in Toulouse, the collegiate church in La Romieu, the Pont Valentré in Cahors, and more…

The Chemin des Bonshommes Even today, the story of the Cathars fascinates those who hear it. This medieval religious movement was centred on the south of France in what is today the Midi-Pyrénées region, making it the home of the 'Bons Hommes' or 'Good Christians', which was how the Cathars referred to them - selves. Catharism, which was based on the belief that the world was created by the Devil and a rejection of the riches of the Church, was violently repressed in the Albi - gensian Crusade from 1209 onwards. Ultimately, this cru - sade enabled the to annex Greater Occitania.

In Ariège, the ruins of the Château de Montségur, per - ched on a rocky promontory at an altitude of 1,200 me - tres, remain the ultimate symbol of the Cathars' resistance, aided by the lords and counts who ruled Occi - tania at the time. You can experience the history of the A Great Tourist Site that takes you back through time: the Ariège Collection This collection of 6 attractions takes you on an epic journey back through time, giving you a comprehensive overview of the period run - ning from prehistory to the Middle Ages, from the caves at Niaux to the castle at Montségur. Between them, the caves at Niaux and Le Mas d’Azil, the Parc de la Préhistoire, Mirepoix, Saint Lizier, Foix, the capital of Ariège dominated by its former Château Comtal, and Montségur, the last bastion of the Cathar Church, which became a symbol of resistance to oppression, make up an amazing collection alive with thrilling history.

Cathars on the Chemin des Bonshommes, a hiking trail that starts in Montségur and crosses the border into Spain. You'll also come across it at the castles in Foix and Roquefixade (Ariège), the Musée de la Mémoire du Catha - risme Occitan in Mazamet (Tarn), the 'bastide' town of Cordes-sur-Ciel (Tarn) and many other places around Midi- Pyrénées.

RIVER TOURISM The region's canals and rivers show visitors a very diffe - rent side of Midi-Pyrénées. Board a boat for a cruise on the Garonne in Toulouse and you'll get an amazing view of the city from the river, including the Garonne riverside, the port of La Daurade, the École des Beaux Arts and the 16th century Pont Neuf. Water sports options It is also from Toulouse that you can set off to explore You can canoe down the slightly faster-flowing waters of Canal des Deux Mers, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Py - the the Célé, Dordogne, Aveyron and Tarn and go sailing on the rénées, which connects the Mediterranean and the Atlan - vast lakes at Le Lévézou. For swimming, Midi-Pyrénées of - tic. The Canal des Deux Mers is made up of the Canal du fers a host of well-equipped outdoor activity centres and Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, (which runs from Tou - some very popular swimming facilities on various lakes and louse to Sète) and the Canal de Garonne (from Toulouse rivers, with the Lac de Saint Ferréol (Haute Garonne), the to ). Designed originally to carry goods, today it great lakes at Le Lévézou (Aveyron), the Lac des Monta - is undergoing a major revival thanks to the many boating gnès and Lac du Laouzas (Tarn) and the Rivers Lot, Tarn, and exploration options available. You can explore the Aveyron and Viaur all offering a variety of beaches with li - canal in a hired pleasure boat (licence not required), on a feguard service. cruiser or in a canal barge with on-board accommodation. The quiet, shady canal side, the man-made structures worn smooth by centuries of use, the charm of the locks, the typical villages of the Midi Toulousain and lock-keepers' cottages you'll glimpse along the way are all good reasons for enjoying a timeless and relaxing canal holiday. Elsewhere you'll find a different atmosphere: Midi-Pyré - nées also has a reputation as a river boating destination. At the heart of the Great Tourist Site of Flaran, Baïse, Armagnac, the River Baïse, once used for transporting and trading Armagnac, is navigable along a 60km stretch. River cruisers and holiday boats also pass each other on the seventy navigable kilometres of the Lot, which fea - tures some enchanting scenery: upstream from Saint Cirq-Lapopie the river is hemmed in by white cliffs, and from here it runs down to Cahors, surrounded by vi - neyards. Lastly, the Tarn offers the original option of tra - velling by traditional gabarre (a flat-bottomed lighter) for lovely views of Albi and Millau Viaduct. More information: see our “River Tourism in Midi-Pyrénées” press pack CYCLING Midi-Ppyrénées: a cyclists' Eldorado Cyclists come from far and wide to climb the Col du Tourmalet and follow the Cols of the Tour de France Route in the Pyrenees. These are some of the musts that make Midi-Pyrénées an unmissable region for cyclists. But in Midi-Pyré - nées cycling is something you can enjoy all over the region. Cruise one of the many greenways such as the Canal des Deux Mers Green - way (a continuous route 145 km long), pedal the Véloroutes in the Lot and Tarn Valleys or set out on the region’s roads to explore the most beautiful villages of Aveyron : more than 700 km of waymarked routes await you. What better way is there of discovering the region’s 1,000 wonders and historical at - tractions…? More information: see our “Cycling in Midi-Pyré - nées” press pack

Spotlight: other out - door leisure activities People also come to Midi-Pyrénées for all kinds of other out - door recreation, ran - ging from gentle family activities to extreme sports. You can tour the re - gion's finest golf courses (there are around 40 in all) or take to the skies in a paraglider from Millau (a spot world-famous among the paragliding community), have a go at speleology in the maze of underground passages under the Quercy causses, or perhaps get away on horseback along trails that cross entire dé - partements or even across the border into Spain. Great figures through history Sightseeing: The Muse e Soulages Toulouse-Lautrec, Soulages, Champollion, D’Artagnan: it is by following ́ This museum celebrates a talent recognised all over the trail of the great artists, explorers and heroes of Midi-Pyrénées the world and one of the most innovative and powerful that you will get the most out of the beautiful towns and country - oeuvres in contemporary art. Midi-Pyrénées, Pierre side where they were born. Soulages' native region, is extremely proud to host this outstanding collection, providing a remarkable SOULAGES home for his works. The idea of a Soulages museum Born in Rodez on 24 De - came about in 2005 when Pierre Soulages and his cember 1919, Pierre Sou - wife Colette decided to donate 500 works and docu - lages is regarded as the ments to the Greater Rodez Urban Community. This greatest artist in French donation, exceptional in every respect and valued at contemporary art. This fa - nearly 40 million euros, includes the preparatory mous artist with works on works for the stained-glass windows in Conques show in more than 90 museums around the world is the uncontested Abbey Church, all his engravings, numerous paintings Master of Black and Beyond Black. Soulages has produced a vast num - on paper (including his walnut-stain works), paintings ber of paintings, including his famous walnut-stain works on paper and on canvas and a large collection of documents (wri - the remarkable stained glass windows in the abbey church of Sainte Foy tings, catalogues, letters, etc.). The collection was im - in Conques, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées, and his work sells for mediately granted national Musée de France status, top prices at contemporary art auctions and on today’s at market. and the local authority decided to provide it with a home worthy of its importance right next door to the TOULOUSE-LAUTREC Cathedral of Notre Dame, whose filigree sandstone The Palais de la Berbie in Albi (Tarn): the high brick walls of this building rival bell tower rises high above the rooftops of Rodez. those of the Cathedral of Sainte Cécile with its incredible bell tower. The More information about Soulages: see our “Artists and Museums Cité Épiscopale in Albi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Great Tourist in Midi-Pyrénées” press pack Site in Midi-Pyrénées , com - The Musée Toulouse-Lautrec bines the look of a Tuscan villa with a love of art. Tou - The 13th century Palais de la Berbie is home to the louse-Lautrec, born in Albi world's largest public collection dedicated to the ar - in 1864, could not have wi - tist, with more than 1,000 drawings, paintings and li - shed for a more presti - thographs on show. Parisian cabarets and brothels, gious setting for his the artists and dancers of the 19th century: the world talented work, admired as of Toulouse-Lautrec is brought to you through a series far afield as Japan. Frail and sickly, Toulouse-Lautrec always lived for his of works as colourful as the town where he was born. art, embracing his Bohemian existence in late 19th century with Reinvented following major refurbishment work, the great gusto. Known as the 'Soul of Montmartre' in Paris where he lived museum provides a fresh approach to the collections, and influenced by the Impressionist movement, he became famous for supported by an underlying didactic element and a his paintings and posters immortalising the Moulin Rouge and many other clear, elegant museographical presentation. Parisian cabarets and theatres. Lourdes and Bernadette Soubirous CHAMPOLLION A small town with a population of 15,000 Jean-François Champollion at the foot of the Pyrenees, Lourdes was born in Figeac (Lot), a (Hautes Pyrénées) is also a Great Tourist Great Tourist Site in Midi- Site in Midi-Pyrénées famous for being Pyrénées, in 1790. His birth - one of the world's main spiritual centres. place is now the Musée des Every year, some six million visitors come Ecritures du Monde, the to the Marian City to get close to the only museum in Europe dedicated to the amazing story of writing Sanctuaries and Massabielle cave where through the ages and in different civilisations. On Place des Ecritures the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette next to the museum there is a giant slab of black granite, a work by the Soubirous in 1858. Its cosmopolitan at - American artist Joseph Kosuth that represents the Rosetta Stone which mosphere and feeling of shared kinship Champollion used to decipher hieroglyphics. This is also an opportunity to and emotion are what make Lourdes and see up close the grand town houses and other fine architectural fea - its universal message so special. tures of Figeac, officially recognised as a 'Ville d’Art et d’Histoire'. JEAN-DOMINIQUE INGRES Sightseeing: Jean-Dominique Ingres was The Musée Champollion, the wri - born in Montauban (Tarn et ting systems of the world Garonne), notable among This museum is made up of 8 rooms on other things for its Place Na - different topics that explore the great story tionale, double arcaded passa - of writing from its origins in Mesopotamia geways and the 14th century to the digital language revolution. Inside Pont Vieux bridge. His paintings there are rare and precious objects such and drawings are on display in as a three-thousand-year-old pictographic the 17th century former Bishops' Palace on the banks of the Tarn. Known tablet, ceramic goblets bearing magical for his accurate portrayals that paint a clear picture of society in his day, inscriptions and a 17th century polyglot Ingres is famous for his portraits, particularly of the bourgeoisie. bible. In all, the Musée Champollion contains around 800 original and facsimile D’ARTAGNAN objects and documents connected with the Midi-Pyrénées is privileged to count D'Artagnan among its great figures history of writing. The museum's acquisi - through history. Charles de Batz was born in around 1615 at the Château tions are complemented by loans from de Castelmore near Lupiac in other museums such as the Louvre and the Gers département. At the Quai Branly in Paris. age of 20 he set off to find his fortune in Paris and took the The Musée Ingres name of D'Artagnan, a name The museum is home to collections of two that became famous all over illustrious sons of Montauban, the artist the world thanks to the novel Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and the by Alexandre Dumas. The values sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. Six rooms on that he represents, flamboyance, courage and loyalty, are still today the first floor are devoted to Ingres, featu - what , the land of Armagnac, is all about. His statue dominates ring some of his major compositions that the monumental steps in Auch, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées, the show the influence of antiquity and Raphael village of Lupiac pays tribute to him with the Centre d’Artagnan, and the but also works painted in his youth at the Château de Termes d’Armagnac is home to the small and intimate Musée Atelier de David and later in Rome at the du Panache Gascon that celebrates the region's culture. Villa Medici, where he was a resident artist before becoming director. A few painted PIERRE-PAUL RIQUET studies, and of course some of his famous Devised in the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet (1604-1680), the Canal du Midi portraits, complete this presentation of the is an amazing man-made structure that connects Toulouse with Sète on the artist's long career. Mediterranean coast. 240 kilometres of canal excavated by hand, 14 years' The Museum of Dom Robert and work, 12,000 labourers, 45,000 trees planted to consolidate the banks, 350 20th-century tapestry man-made structures built (bridges, locks, aqueducts): the figures give some A Benedictine monk at the Abbaye d’En Cal - idea of the extent and complexity of the project undertaken by Pierre-Paul cat in Dourgne, the village next to Sore ze, ̀ Riquet, a former tax collector for the Languedoc region. Opened in 1681, the Dom Robert (1907-1997) was an atypical Canal du Midi is supplied with artist to say the least. Introduced to tapes - water from the superb Saint try by Jean Lurc at, who was struck by the ̧ Ferréol reservoir (at Revel in originality and power of his watercolours Haute Garonne), which is itself and illumination, Dom Robert and his won - fed by the streams of the derfully modern work helped revive the Au - Montagne Noire through an in - busson Tapestry Manufacture. His richly genious collection system he diverse and colourful work featuring motifs inspired by nature has at last found a set - devised. Together, Sorèze and ting worthy of its splendour, and is on show Saint Ferréol are part of the Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyrénées collec - in Sore ze Abbey School, a Great Tourist ̀ tion: at the foot of the vast area of forested mountains known as the Mon - Site in Midi-Pyre ne es. This new museum ́ ́ tagne Noire, Sorèze (Tarn) grew up around its Benedictine abbey, which occupies 1,500 m2 of space converted by became a royal military school under Louis XVI and in the 19th century esta - an Italian architectural firm (N'Studio) in a blished itself as one of France's most important seats of learning. A few ki - style that is both contemporary and res - lometres away in Revel, the house where Pierre-Paul Riquet lived has been pectful of the abbey, which was founded in preserved. The nearby Lac de Saint Ferréol is the source of the Canal du 754. The museum explains the process of Midi, where you will find the Museum and Gardens of the Canal du Midi, ope - creating a tapestry and features, among ned in 2008. other things, the work and expertise of the Downstream from Toulouse, in the 19th century the Canal du Midi was ex - heddlesetters of Aubusson, added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in tended to the Atlantic by the Canal de Garonne. A perfect example of man's 2009. creative genius and a leading river tourism destination, the Canal du Midi has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. cf press pack: "Painters and Museums of Midi-Py - rénées" Norman Foster Conceived by the structural engineer Michel Virlojeux, designed by the British architect Sir Norman Foster and built by the Eiffage company, Millau Viaduct (Aveyron), a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Py - rénées , is an unrivalled achievement admired by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year since it was opened in December 2004. Touching the Tarn THE AVIATION PIONEERS Valley at just seven points, this technological master - In the 19th century, Toulouse (Haute Garonne), a Great piece enhances one of the most beautiful areas of Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées , was home to the tremen - countryside in the South of France, home to the lon - dous and epic era of the aviation pioneers. It was here gest (2.4 km) and tallest (270 m) cable-stayed bridge that Clément Ader was born. In 1855, he was the first per - in the world, its highest tower 20 metres higher than son to become airborne, coining the word 'avion' (aero - the Eiffel Tower. Thanks to Millau Viaduct, 'La Méri - plane). The early 20th century history of Toulouse is full dienne' (the A75 autoroute) is the shortest, most eco - of the exploits of the legendary pilots of the Aéropostale nomical and most efficient driving route between Paris company (Saint-Exupéry, Mermoz, et al.). Subsequently, the and the Mediterranean. Every year more than a million city saw the development of a flourishing aeronautical in - visitors go to the Viaduct viewing area, the only safe dustry, with Aérospatiale at the forefront. Also the head - viewpoint that is open to the general public and has quarters of the National Centre for Space Studies, visitor facilities. Toulouse went on to produce the supersonic aircraft Millau Viaduct owes its fluid lines to one of the main Concorde and the Ariane rocket, before becoming Eu - representatives of high-tech architecture: the world- rope's leading aeronautics centre with Airbus. famous architect Sir Norman Foster has received The vast Airbus assembly plants are open to the public more than 300 awards and prizes of excellence all and are a spectacular highlight of any visit to Toulouse. over the world. The Clément Ader plant, where the A330 and A340 are assembled, is the size of 227 tennis courts and could fit 10 Arcs de Triomphe inside. The Lagardère plant, which is even bigger, is where the A380 is built, the largest air - craft of all time. And the Roger Béteille plant is the construction site of the A350, the brand new flagship aircraft of Toulouse’s aeronautics industry. In all three cases, after touring the Aérospatiale site by bus, visi - tors get a VIP-style view of how these aircraft are built. What's more there are special family tours available, sui - table for children aged 6 to 12.

Sightseeing: the Cité de l’Espace A centre of attraction for research scientists, astronauts and the general pu - blic, the Cité de l'Espace never stands still, always staying abreast of the latest space industry developments. The European space visitor attraction has com - pletely redeveloped and renewed both the form and substance of its permanent exhibitions, devoting 2,500 m2 to man's ventures into space. The centre fea - tures a complete space-themed visitor scenario and adventure, with six main subjects presented in different sections (Launch Control, Earth Ship, Weather Centre, Solar System Dock, Training Hall and Observatory). Sightseeing: AEROSCOPIA The Ae roscopia centre for aeronautics, ́ technology and science opened in Bla - gnac in early 2015. It was only natural that this centre should be built in a city closely connected with the history of the worldwide aeronautics industry. On their way around the centre, visitors can ad - mire the four icons of the history of ae - ronautics (the Caravelle, Concorde, Super Guppy and Airbus A300B) along with more than 30 other historical air - craft. www.aeroscopia-blagnac.fr The tour, run by Manatour, can be com - bined with the tours of the Airbus A380 and A350 sites, etc. (prior booking re - quired). http://www.manatour.fr

THE SCIENTISTS AND LABOURERS OF THE PIC DU MIDI The Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2, 877 m above sea level in the Hautes Py - rénées département) is one of the most famous peaks in the Pyre - nees. Officially recognised as a national nature site and a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées , it is also a major centre for astronomy Sightseeing: open to the public. The Pic du Midi observatory was responsible for the Musée du Pic du Midi creating the lunar maps that NASA used for the Apollo mission. Its The story of man's adventure on the Pic construction in the 1880s was an act of bravery on the part of the du Midi is told in a museum that pre - inhabitants of the neighbouring Campan Valley, known as the 'labou - sents not only the observations and dis - rers of the Pic'. The materials and equipment were hauled up to the coveries made by scientists but also summit by men and mules on a perilous ascent, until the opening of the difficulties encountered when buil - the cable car that today takes visitors up to the top in comfort. Ac - ding the observatory. You can prolong cessible in both summer and winter, the Pic du Midi is a big hit with its the adventure by spending the night on museum presenting the history, work and life of the observatory. the summit in one of the rooms tradi - There is also a restaurant and outdoor panoramic terraces that pro - tionally used by the technicians and vide a magnificent panorama looking out over 300 kilometres of moun - scientists, all of which have an uninter - tain tops stretching from east to west. Visitors can spend the night rupted view of the Pyrenees. Gourmets or evening observing the night sky, for a unique experience. The air is will also enjoy the traditional cuisine on so clear here that the Pic du Midi and surrounding area are officially offer at the Pic du Midi restaurant, classed as an International Dark Sky Reserve. which features Pyrenean specialities. Great features of the region

WELL-BEING AND THERMAL SPAS Aulus-les-Bains, Bagnères de Bigorre, Barèges, Luz-Saint Sauveur, Luchon, Lectoure, the list goes on: Midi- Pyrénées is France's fourth thermal spa region, boasting 17 spa resorts that are one with the wonderful surroundings of the spa towns of the Pyrenees, Gers and Aveyron. Driven by its constant search for qua - lity and its high-tech know-how, the thermal spa treatment industry is particularly advanced in Midi-Pyré - nées in the fields of paediatric ENT, rheumatism and metabolic problems such as obesity. In addition, the region has developed an original thermal spa short break offering.

Spotlight: recreational spas Buoyed by the thriving industry, a number of re - creational spas have sprung up around the region, particularly in the Pyrenees. Over the last 10 years considerable investment has been made across the region to encourage a boom in the re - creational spa industry, and this has been enthu - siastically received by the public. Each of these spas has a very distinct character: Les Bains du Couloubret in Ax-les-Thermes (Ariège) makes use of the hottest thermal water in the Py - renees. The Luchon Forme et Bien-Être spa (Haute Garonne) features two little wonders: a magnificent, round relaxation pool combined with a natural vapo - rarium of a type found nowhere else in Europe, full of underground galleries. Sulphurous thermal water from the depths of the Earth filters through the rocky walls and gives off steam at a temperature of between 38°C and 42°C. Famous for its baths as early as the Gallo-Roman era, by the mid-18th cen - tury Luchon, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées, had become a spa town frequented by the great and the good, from Richelieu to Napoléon III and in - cluding Alexandre Dumas and Gustave Flaubert. Lo - cated on the shore of the Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle (Hautes Pyrénées), Balnéa takes you on a journey through the traditions of spas around the world. The innovative Onsen Spa features 3 outdoor pano - ramic pools with slate surrounds and a Japanese garden integrated into the contemporary archi - tecture of the surroundings. Les Bains du Rocher in Cauterets opens on to a 200m2 open-air lagoon, a feature found nowhere else in Hautes Pyrénées. The only spa resort in Europe to offer thermal treatments using hot natural gases that help to eli - minate toxins and which are also very effective in the treatment of rheumatism, Les Thermes de Cransac (Aveyron) features light, airy architecture in the heart of an acacia forest. Established by the Romans, over the centuries the Thermes de Barbo - tan (Gers) has maintained its specialities, treating both rheumatic and venous ailments in addition to its thermal spa offering. More information: see our “Water for life” press pack

Balnéa GASTRONOMY Among the region's many culinary specialities, gar - Gastronomy is one of the qualities that are a bure is one dish that stands out. This Pyrenean product of both nature and people that make speciality is a soup made with potatoes, cabbage, Midi-Pyrénées such an attractive destination, haricots tarbais beans and dried knuckle of ham, famous for its sense of conviviality and its pen - etc. Cassoulet toulousain is another dish that has chant for the pleasures in life. Foie gras, Roque - to be got just right: haricots tarbais beans mixed fort, Armagnac: the long list of regional with goose confit, pork knuckle, pork-rind sausage, specialities has earned Midi-Pyrénées a world - herbs, garlic and nutmeg. It takes a long time to wide reputation for its know-how in matters gas - make and must be served in a little terracotta tronomic. bowl. In Aveyron the local speciality is aligot , full of delicious strings of fresh tome cheese, and esto - Foie gras immediately comes to mind as one of finado , which is made with unsalted dried cod. the essential gourmet treasures produced in The culinary tour continues with Quercy farm- Midi-Pyrénées. This unmissable gastronomic de - reared suckling lamb, Gers free-range farm light is first and foremost a product of family- chicken, delicious-smelling grilled Aubrac farm run farms and small-scale production units that beef or Gascon beef and Aveyron and Ségala respect tradition while inventing new ways of va - suckling veal. The producers of Midi-Pyrénées take rying the culinary pleasures of fattened goose and duck livers. What's more, duck is the source of a wide variety of delicious produce including grilled fillet, thinly sliced aiguillettes, fine confit pre - serves, flavoursome pâtés, scratchings and giz - zard served in salads. The charcuteries of Lacaune , produced in the heart of the Haut Languedoc Regional Nature Park, are prized by gourmets, keeping alive a skil - led artisanal industry that has been going for centuries and that produces the nutty-flavoured Lacaune saucisses, saucissons and ham. The Gas - con Black pig, a local breed that lives a 100% natu - ral life and is famous for its melt-in-the-mouth ham, also produces exceptional charcuterie.

Spotlight: 3 speciality aperitifs from Midi- Pyrénées Gers is the home of Pousse-Rapière , a cock - tail made of Armagnac liqueur and a spar - kling white wine known as vin sauvage. Another celebrity is Floc de Gascogne , both red and white, which is a combination of fresh grape juice and young Armagnac. Invented four cen - turies ago, it complies with AOP rules and the very strict regulations governing bottled AOP status. In Ariège, you simply must try Hy - pocras . A recipe that has remained unchan - ged since medieval times, it is made by macerating a subtle blend of plants and spices in amber-coloured vin doux. their meat seriously, guaranteeing product tracea - The marchés aux gras bility, natural feeding and high standards of animal From November to March, the villages of Gers hold their marchés welfare. au gras, the special foie gras markets found nowhere else in When it comes to the cheese platter, there is a wide France. Buyers flock to these bustling markets to buy whole foies variety of goat's, cow's and ewe's cheeses on offer. gras and 'demoiselles', as the duck carcasses are known. The selection includes the prestigious Roquefort , which like Bleu des Causses is left to age for long Wines months in the darkest depths of natural maturing Wine is an important part of the dining tables of Midi-Pyrénées, cellars, the little rounds of melt-in-the-mouth Roca - with the Cahors, Gaillac, Fronton, Madiran and Marcillac AOPs. madour, Tomme des Pyrénées , produced in Ariège, These fine wines have been grown here all the way back to antiquity and Laguiole cheese made in the Aubrac using age- and critics never tire of describing their host of very different aro - old methods. mas, colours and textures. And Midi-Pyrénées is also home to IGP As for desserts, any gastronome exploring Midi-Pyré - (Protected Geographical Indication) wines, all of which have a pres - nées is spoilt for choice, with for example gâteau à la tigious pedigree (Côtes de St Mont, Côtes de Brulhois, Vins d'En - broche, sculpted carefully in front of a wood fire, and traygues et du Fel, Vins d'Estaing and Côtes de Millau) and which pastis gascon, made up of delicate wafer-thin pastry complement the glittering collection that makes Midi-Pyrénées a layers that requires amazing dexterity in the making. region of sun-drenched vineyards. Two of Midi-Pyrénées’ wine re - Highly prized for their sweet, melt-in-the-mouth flesh, gions have now qualified for ‘Vignobles & Découvertes’ status: Des - Quercy melons and Lectoure melons are picked at tination Cahors - Malbec (AOP Cahors); and Pays des the peak of ripeness and are available all summer. Bastides et Vignoble du Gaillac (AOP Gaillac). Another gourmet fruit is the Chasselas de Moissac, More information: see our press pack titled “Vineyards of Midi-Pyrénées: of people and terroirs“ France's best-known table grape and one of the few fresh fruits to have its own AOP. The Michelin-starred chefs of Midi-Pyrénées The chefs of Midi-Pyrénées ensure the region's culinary reputation Black truffles and saffron: ‘star’ products of Midi- is second to none. The name of Michel Bras in Laguiole is among Pyrénées the very top chefs featured in the Michelin Guide. The region boasts The delicate and precious nature of the hard-to-find some twenty Michelin-starred chefs and a host of other personali - Quercy Black Truffle makes it a luxury product, along ties famous for their creative cooking. with the equally delicate and precious Quercy saf - More information: see our press pack titled “Gastronomy in Midi-Pyrénées: profiles of fron, one fragrant and the other spicy, both of which Michelin-starred chefs” are produced in the Lot département. The violet The authentic Toulouse violet, a variety specific to the region since the mid-19th century, is recognisable by its dense double flower, bold violet colour and subtle, delicate fragrance. An integral part of Toulouse's identity, it flowers in winter, has its own festival and is available in a range of cosmetic products (soaps and eaux de toi - lette) and sweet treats (sweets, caramels and liqueurs). Spotlight: Armagnac The oldest wine-based eau de vie produced in South West France, Armagnac is an essential part of Gascony's character. The areas where Armagnac is produced and the way it is made follow strict rules laid down by the Appellation d'Origine Protégée that this eau de vie has held since 1936. It is made by distilling white wine, which is then aged for several years in oak barrels be - fore it can be sold. Unlike Cognac, which is distilled using the conventional 'double heating' method, Armagnac is made in a special traditional still, SISQA known as the 'alambic armagnacais'. Armagnac First held in 2002 on the initiative of the Midi-Pyrénées Region, the tasting follows an un - Salon de la Qualité Alimentaire (Food Quality Fair) that is held every changing ritual in year in Toulouse has become a popular event with mass appeal that which visitors are ini - features quality foods and produce. SISQA is the biggest market in tiated on a tour of Midi-Pyrénées, a showcase for 200 high-quality products, 120 of the often family-run which hold Identification de business which make la Qualité et de l’Origine the golden nectar in (SIQO) certification. small quantities using artisanal methods. HANDICRAFTS The arts and crafts industry in Midi-Pyrénées Natural horn combs produces unique items, the treasured results Very good for your hair because of their high keratin content, of the region's traditional skills that are fa - the natural horn combs of Ariège are made in a village near mous all over France and abroad. Lavelanet in Ariège according to customs in use there since the 13th century. Very much a part of France's heritage is the le - gendary Laguiole knife , made according to a Martres-Tolosane faïence time-honoured technique in the village of the It was the 18th century that saw the advent of Martres-To - same name in northern Aveyron and nowhere losane faïence . The workshops in this village in Haute Ga - else. The factory where this knife is made was ronne produce delicate, completely stable faïence ware designed by one of its admirers, the designer decorated freehand on unfired enamel. Philippe Starck.

Millau, in the south of the Aveyron département, Spotlight: the artisans of Cordes-sur-Ciel is the leather glove capital. Millau gloves are Cordes-sur-Ciel near Albi in the Tarn départe - made by the taweries and glovemakers that ment, one of the oldest 'bastide' villages in Midi- grew up here in the 12th century. Causse-brand Pyrénées, has always been shrouded in gloves made in Millau have been worn by celebri - mystery. A treasure chest of Gothic architec - ties such as Jackie Kennedy and Steve McQueen. ture founded in 1222 and a Cathar bastion that Still in demand for its top designer styles and quickly became prosperous through the trade creative approach, today Causse produces mo - in woollen cloth, silk and leather, today Cordes- dern, high-end products that meet the exacting sur-Ciel, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées , requirements of the big names in luxury from still shows off its fine 13th and 14th century Paris to New York. Causse was acquired by Cha - town houses and grand Gothic residences, pro - nel in 2012, and these days Causse creations are tected behind a formidable system of fortifi - worn by Madonna and Kylie Minogue. In Millau, the cations. The village's steep streets are lined Fabre company is the other big name in the here and there with workshops where artisans French glovemaking industry. and artists ply their trade all year round. Top fashion designers also make a beeline for the hats made in , The Route des Métiers d’Art et a little town in Tarn et Garonne. Panamas, boaters, caps and wide-brimmed de l’Artisanat capelines: Caussade has been making hats since 1857 and has established 150 skilled and artistic craftsmen and itself as France's leading hat-making centre. women are featured on the 'Route des Métiers d’Art et de l’Artisanat' sight - It is the cherry, oak, rosewood and lemonwood used that ensure the quality seeing trail. The trail consists of several of Revel hand-crafted furniture . In this 'bastide' town in Haute Garonne, sightseeing itineraries in each of the dif - dozens of cabinetmakers, inlayers, lacquerers and upholsterers have been ferent départements, with workshops hard at work since the 19th century making reproduction Louis XIV, Louis open to visitors along the way. XV and French Empire furniture. The fine-wood and marquetry items made in Revel are exported to the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

Spotlight: Woad Toulouse owes its architectural heritage to the rich merchants who made their fortune in the woad trade in the 16th century. This plant with yellow flowers used to dye materials a deep blue colour brought great wealth to the region. Grown in the Albi-Tou - louse-Carcassonne triangle, the woad leaves were ground up, dried and packed into balls known as 'cocagnes', giving rise to the myth of the Pays de Cocagne (from which we get the expression Land of Cockaigne, or land of milk and honey). The historical woad indus - try has left its mark in the countryside of the Lauragais south of Toulouse, the Château-Musée de Magrin in Tarn and the Bleu de Lectoure workshops in Gers, the only place in the world where the art of extracting these magical pigments has been revived. Today, the benefits of woad are available in a range of treat - ments that make use of the nutritional properties of woad oil. An attraction dedicated to woad, ‘Terre de Pastel’, recently opened in Toulouse. A combination of museum, treatment and well-being centre and shop and restaurant, it puts the spotlight on woad in all its forms.

THE GREAT FESTIVALS Midi-Pyrénées supports artists and a number of major cultural events. The list of festivals that take place in Midi-Pyrénées is so extensive (there are more than 100 of them) that we only have room here to men - tion some of the better known ones with national and even international reputations.

For years now, swing and foot-tap - ping excitement have been the order of the day at the inventive and buz - zing Souillac en Jazz and Jazz à Mon - tauban festivals, and Montauban also celebrates French popular song at Alors... chante !, a very popular festi - val where new talent shares the stage with big-name acts.

Rio Loco In Toulouse, every year Rio Loco sets alight The Prairie des Filtres on the Garonne riverside with five days of music from all over the world. In a very different vein, the Saint Céré Opera Festival skilfully wows audiences every year with its demanding programme. Classical music is at its finest in the magnificent settings of the cathedrals in Saint Bertrand de Comminges, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées , and Saint Lizier, at events hailed for the quality of their repertoire and performers: the Festival du Comminges and the Festival de Saint Lizier . Religious music reaches new heights at the Festival de Sylvanès , and the city of Toulouse has its own classical festivals. Piano aux Jacobins is the first festival in France entirely dedicated to piano performances. The international Tou - louse Les Orgues festival alternates evening organ concerts in Toulouse with others around the region in a bold and festive programme. Other evening events contribute their own blends of images, costumes, characters and lights to illumi - nate the region's past in a wealth of spectacle. In Valence d'Agen, at the port on the Canal de Garonne, the show Au Fil de l'Eau, une Histoire features more than 300 actors backed up by some spectacular pyrotechnic effects and a quality sce - nario and script. Flagnac's verdant amphitheatre is the setting for Hier, un village , a show in which actors and special effects combine to tell the story of the highs and lows of this village in the Rouergue at the beginning of the last century. In Cordes-sur-Ciel, the Fêtes du Grand Fauconnier brings to life the historical feel of this bastide founded in 1222 through a combination of a big parade, street en - tertainment and artistic performances. The Middle Ages are also the inspiration behind the show The Legend of the Cathar Souls : at the foot of the castle where count Gaston Fébus once lived, the historical highlights of Ariège are recreated, from prehistory through the reign of the Counts of Foix to the .

Spotlight: Jazz in Marciac Marciac, a 13th century bastide officially recognised as a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées , situated in Gers in the heart of Gascony and the South West, is known as Europe's jazz capital thanks to its famous festival which has a re - putation for combining a quality line-up with a relaxed friendliness. Jazz in Mar - ciac features a host of concerts held at all hours of the day and night in a vast marquee and on the square in the centre of town. Featuring new perfor - mers, old favourites and never-before-seen concerts, Jazz in Marciac offers a varied programme with something to please everyone. COMITÉ RÉGIONAL DU TOURISME 15 RUE RIVALS - CS 78543 31685 TOULOUSE CEDEX 6

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Conducted by the Comité Régional du Tourisme Midi-Pyrénées www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk