Press kit WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES

New addresses, brand new attractions, innovations and great ideas: a roundup of the latest tourism developments in a region on the move. WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES

WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES Contents

IDENTITY P.3 AROUND TOWN P.4 HISTORY TIME P.5 ECO-TOURISM P.6 ASTRO-TOURISM P.7 OUT AND ABOUT / BY BIKE P.8 BON APPÉTIT! P.9 NEW ADDRESSES P.10

Press kit 2 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES Identity WHAT MAKES MIDI-PYRÉNÉES offers vast areas of countryside and an endless STAND OUT range of spectacular scenery such as the Tarn Situated in South West France, between the Gorge, the Aveyron Gorge, the Lot Valley, the Dor - Atlantic and Mediterranean, the Midi-Pyrénées re - dogne Valley, the high peaks of the Pyrenees, and gion draws its wealth of interest and incredibly di - more… With 28,000 km of waymarked footpaths, verse heritage and countryside from 8 départe- the Pyrenees National Park and 4 Regional Nature ments full of character. Together, Ariège, Aveyron, Parks, Midi-Pyrénées is the perfect destination Haute Garonne, Hautes Pyrénées, Gers, Lot, Tarn for hiking, cycling, horse riding, white water sports, and Tarn et Garonne form the largest region in river tourism on the Canal du Midi and other France. Famous for its enthusiastic combination waterways, plus skiing and snowsports in the of heritage and quality of life, Midi-Pyrénées is a Pyrenees. region full of vitality and bursting with ideas and innovations: Toulouse, France's second university Great figures through history city and Europe's aerospace capital, is home to Toulouse-Lautrec, Champollion, Pierre-Paul Riquet, the vast factories of Airbus, the world's leading Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, the aviation pio - aircraft manufacturer. neers: a host of great figures from history have given Midi-Pyrénées an outstanding heritage that The Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyrénées lives on today in what they have left behind. Midi-Pyrénées owes its fame to 25 Great Tourist Sites known all over the world, including Millau Via - Great features of the region duct, the Pic du Midi with its astronomical obser - The home of Roquefort, foie gras, the Quercy vatory, the Cirque de Gavarnie (a UNESCO World black truffle, saffron and some hundred other Heritage Site), the great Catholic pilgrimage site quality-certified products, Midi-Pyrénées is also a of Lourdes, Albi and the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, land of vineyards that boasts 8 AOCs and a tra - Cahors and the Pont Valentré, but also Conques, dition of quality craftsmanship. What's more, Midi- Rocamadour, Moissac, and a host of others… Pyrénées hosts around a hundred festivals, some of which are world-famous, such as the Jazz in The Great Outdoors Marciac festival, the Country Music Festival in One of France's sunniest regions (with an average Mirande, the Sylvanès Festival of Religious Music, of 2,000 hours of sunshine every year), Midi-Pyrénées and Rio Loco in Toulouse.

KEY FACTS AND FIGURES

Population: Surface area: Capital: Toulouse, population

nearly 2.9 million. 45,348 km2, 439,000 . making it France's biggest region.

8 départements: Ariège, The third most important France's sixth most Aveyron, Gers, Haute Garonne, non-coastal tourist region on important tourist region on the Hautes Pyrénées, Lot, Tarn and the national market, after international market, with 4.3% Tarn et Garonne. Rhône-Alpes and Ile de France. of the market share.

15.7 million 85.9 million 33,500 salaried visitors. bed-nights. jobs generated by tourism.

THE GREAT TOURIST SITES IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES: Toulouse, Canal des Deux Mers, Luchon, Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges – Val - cabrère, The Ariège Collection: the Niaux and Mas d’Azil caves, Saint Lizier, Foix, Montségur, Mirepoix), Rodez, Millau Viaduct, Conques, Villefranche-de- Rouergue – N ajac, Auch, Marciac, Flaran-Baïse-Armagnac, Pic du Midi, Caute - rets-Pont d’Espagne, Cirque de Gavarnie, Lourdes, Cahors, Rocamadour, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – Pech Merle, Figeac, Dordogne Valley, Sorèze – Revel – Saint-Ferréol, the source of the Canal du Midi, Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Moissac.

Press kit 3 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES Around town

SO TOULOUSE 'PASS TOURISME' SIGHTSEEING PASS With the new Pass Tourisme valid for 1, 2 or 3 days, visitors sightseeing in La ville rose are entitled to free or reduced-rate admission to 34 major tou - rist attractions. The idea couldn't be simpler: by buying a Pass Tourisme for the duration of their choice, visitors can use the Tisséo public transport network (metro, buses and trams throughout the Toulouse conurbation) free of charge and have free or reduced-rate admission to a host of at - tractions (subject to availability). The Pass Tou - risme is on sale at Toulouse Tourist Office and Tisséo ticket outlets (Airport, Arènes, Jean-Jaurès, Marengo-SNCF, Basso-Cambo and Capitole). - 1 day: €18 - 2 days: €25 - 3 days: €32. Airport shuttle option + €2. http://www.toulouse-tourisme.com/Envie-de/Decouverte/Tous-les-evenements/Pass-tourisme

TOULOUSE GREETERS Toulouse Tourist Office has decided to develop an alternative form of tourism that is particularly suited to foreign visitors and young travellers: to complement the existing tourism offering, a network of Gree - ters was formed last autumn to get a new participatory form of hospitality off the ground, a free service based on cultural exchange and volunteer participation. From spring 2013, this new 'non-commercial' offe - ring will team up sightseeing tourists with Toulouse locals who have signed up for the scheme and are willing to show visitors their side of their home city. The Greeters are simply locals who volunteer to show guests around their city and introduce them to its cultural delights. www.toulouse-tourisme.com

OPENING OF 'TERRE DE PASTEL', THE FIRST MUSEUM-AND- Another woad innovation with a new anti-ageing treatment SPA COMPLEX Graine de Pastel has launched a brand new range of anti-ageing treatments. Fol - A spa of 700 m2 designed to provide lowing 10 years of research, the cosmetics brand and the Institut National Poly - facial and body treatments using technique de Toulouse have registered a patent for the use of a woad extract with products containing woad oil (cosme - anti-ageing properties in beauty care products. tics supplied by the Graine de Pastel www.grainedepastel.com brand) will soon be opening in Labège, just 10 minutes from Toulouse city centre. This unique spa, the first of its kind, will comprise a swimming pool, solarium, steam bath and sauna and a 400m2 museum about the history of the plant that brought great wealth to the Toulouse region, plus a gift shop and restaurant with 80 co - vers. The complex, called 'Terre de Pastel', is due to open in summer 2013.

Press kit 4 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES

CIRCUS ARTS IN AUCH CIRCa, the National Centre for Circus Arts in Auch, has just acquired a facility found nowhere else in France. The Centre d’Innovation et de Recherche Circassien (CIRC) which recently opened in Auch is a centre for experimentation dedicated entirely to the circus arts. This large facility on the site of the former Espagne Barracks (the military district first de - veloped back in 1826) is right in the centre of town and along the Gers riverside and comprises a rehearsal room, accom - modation for visiting circus performers and an area large enough to erect two temporary big tops. CIRC also boasts a permanent big top, the Dôme de Gascogne, where artists will work on and perform their routines. www.circa.auch.fr

Show «Coléomur» Cie 9.81 History time

MAY 2013: A NEW INSIGHT INTO THE MAS D’AZIL CAVE A Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées as part of the 'Ariège, 14,000 years of history' collection, the Mas-d’Azil Cave is undergoing a full enhancement and safety programme. Following several renovation phases, the 300m2 reception building containing a fun, scientific visitor exhibition now features new facilities enabling vi - sitors to embark on a virtual exploration of the inaccessible galleries containing cave paintings, find out about the geological formation of the cave, learn about cave bears and how prehistoric man lived and dis - cover the work of the archeologists who excavated the site and the vast project to build the road there. In addition, during the summer of 2013 the cave will be holding an exhibition by the American video artist Gary Hill, whose work has already been featured at Le Mas d’Azil in the Dreamtime contemporary art exhibitions. www.grotte-masdazil.com

THE PARC DE LA PRÉHISTOIRE FEATURES THE ANIMALS OF THE ICE AGE Located in the heart of some of the most beautiful scenery in the Pyrenees, the Parc de la Préhistoire is a must-see complement to anyone visiting the cave at Niaux. A fascinating interpretation centre dedicated to prehistory, the Parc has had a habit of making a splash with exhibitions about how Magdalenian man lived, taking a fun and sometimes off-beat but always extremely revealing look at the lifestyle and art of prehistoric man. The next exhibition, planned for summer 2013, will feature the giant animals of the Ice Age, with a life-size reconstruction of the steppe during the Magdalenian era. www.sesta.fr

DOMUS D’ELUSA: NEW INTERPRETATION CENTRE SET TO OPEN Eauze and Montréal du Gers are two important archeologi - cal sites around just fifteen kilometres apart that are soon to be brought together by a new archeology interpretation centre covering both sites. Séviac Villa at Montréal (a Histo - rical Monument) is a grand 4th century Roman villa, and Domus d’Elusa at Eauze is one of the France's biggest ar - cheological reserves (16 ha). The two are joining forces to open an archeology centre In June 2013. The former railway station in Eauze has been refurbished and transformed into a 400m2 visitor centre providing an instructive explanation of the work at the archeology cen - tre. All three attractions will be covered by a single admission ticket.

Press kit 5 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES Eco-tourism

AIRBUS: THE GREEN TOUR This green product on offer from Mana - tour is a coach tour with commentary that explains the practical sustainable development measures that have been introduced by Airbus. Visitors will see the design departments and development centres equipped with solar-powered air conditioning that enables a saving of 140 tonnes of CO2 per year, the assembly sites of the A320 and A330 families, the new A350XWB assembly site equipped with photovoltaic panels, and the test-flight centre. The tour also features the instal - lations at the SITA SOLVING internal sor - ting centre that processes 10,500 tonnes of waste per year, and the delivery cen - tres from which the ever more energy- efficient aircraft are delivered. Tour in French for groups and individuals, booking required. The second Wednesday of every month. www.manatour.fr

THE DORDOGNE VALLEY CLASSED AS A BIOSPHERE RESERVE The Dordogne Basin was recently designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in recognition of its re - markable natural heritage, but there is more to it than that. The purpose of these Reserves is to recon - cile conservation with natural and cultural diversity and economic and social development. They are used to try out and develop novel approaches to sustainable development from local level to international level. There are currently 610 Biosphere Reserves in 117 coun - tries. Running through the north of the Lot départe - ment for some sixty kilometres, the River Dordogne crosses an area remarkable for its unspoilt country - side, exceptional cultural heritage featuring some of the most beautiful villages in the département, and way of life influenced by the river. www.biosphere-bassin-dordogne.fr

IBEX TO BE REINTRODUCED TO THE PYRENEES IN 2013 The Pyrenees are set to regain one of or their iconic animals, which according to records were found there as early as the Middle Ages. Prized and hunted for its horns and meat, the last two surviving ibex were lost in 1910 in the French Pyrenees and in 2000 in the Spanish Pyrenees. The Pyrenees National Park has been working since 1987 to reintroduce the animal at the centre of a major scheme to enhance the biodiversity of the Pyrenees. The ibex will come from Spain, the species Capra pyrenaica, which today has a population estimated at between 60,000 and 100,000 individuals. www.parc-pyrenees.com

Press kit 6 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES Astro-tourism: Midi-Pyrénées reaches for the stars

THE LOT BLACK TRIANGLE Its reputation extends beyond the boundaries of the département, and star gazers from all over the world come to Lot to scan the night sky there. Recognised as the best Dark Sky area in metropolitan France, the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park often has incredibly clear skies at night. To preserve this nocturnal heritage, two more local councils (Reilhac and Carlucet) recently signed the charter for the protection of the sky and the nocturnal environment, bringing to 6 the number of councils who have committed to turning off their street lighting at a certain time in the night and/or installing more efficient lighting. www.parc-causses-du-quercy.org

RICE DARK SKY CERTIFICATION FOR THE PIC DU MIDI IN 2013 Because of its extremely clear air and very stable atmosphere, the Pic du Midi is the ideal night-sky ob - servation site and has signed up to a scheme to create an International Dark Sky Reserve (Réserve In - ternationale de Ciel Etoilé or RICE). This is a first in Europe, since to date the only site to be certified by the International Dark Sky Association is Mont Mé - gantic in Canada. In the last four years the project has made good progress, and certification is planned for 2013. A 600km2 central zone, which includes the Pic du Midi, the Néouvielle Nature Reserve and part of the Pyrenees National Park, has been designated. www.picdumidi.com

NEW EXHIBITIONS AT THE CITÉ DE L’ESPACE 2,000 m² of brand new exhibitions are now showing visitors the wonders of the universe at the Cité de l'Espace. These exhibitions are animated, lively and accessible to everyone as part of a new visitor offering tailored to what the pu - blic is now demanding. Featuring a completely new scenario and scenography, the exhibitions follow six major topics or stories presented in six sections. Visitors learn about the space industry through a wide variety of hands-on exhibits, simulations, games and experiments, with something for everyone: families, groups of friends, adults and children, groups of tourists and school parties. www.cite-espace.com

Explore Mars Curiosity, the latest Mars robot explorer, launched from Florida on 26 November 2011, landed on Mars on Monday 6 August 2012. This is the largest rover ever designed to explore a planet, and its task is to investigate whether Mars is or has ever been capable of supporting life. The Explore Mars exhibition at the Cité de l'Espace features a life-size working re - plica of Curiosity Rover provided by France's National Centre for Space Studies. - The Explore Mars exhibition runs at the Cité de l’Espace until the end of August 2013.

Press kit 7 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES Out and about

XPLORIA A brand new visitor attraction is opening in the heart of the Castagnès Forest in Ariège. Xploria, the forest of time exploration, promises to take visitors on an exciting journey through the living world from the dawn of time to the modern day. This new kind of attraction will feature outdoor exhibits including giant illustrations and panels with explanatory texts also in English and Spanish, hands-on models, life-size animals and a Neolithic farm. Xploria will also hold experiments, one-off events and lots of other recreational activities. www.xploria.com

THE FOIX-SAINT GIRONS 'VOIE VERTE' Accessible to pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists in complete safety, the Foix-Saint Girons traffic-free 'voie verte' is now fully open to the public. Running through beautiful green surroundings of farmland, mea - dows, hillsides, streams, forests and copses, the 42-kilometre-long 'voie verte' is open to everyone. Flanked by the meanders of the River Baup and the wooded ridges of the Arize Mountains, the route is practically flat all along its length and the perfect place for walking, cycling and horse riding with your family or friends.

THE PYRENEES BY MOTORBIKE Starting out from the Oueil Valley, also known as 'the Valley of the Does', Le Sapin Fleuri hotel-restaurant has put together several motorcycling circuits exploring the Pyrenees. Enjoy thrilling rides through little mountain villages, past amazing viewpoints, along the roads and over the cols of the Pyrenees. Participants are given a road book on arrival. http://www.logishotels-midipyrenees.com/sejour-midi-pyrenees/sejour/415/envies-de-haute-garonne-plai - sir-et-decouverte-de-la-chaine-pyreneenne-en-moto.html By bike

THE MIGUEL INDURAIN TRAIL The département of Hautes Pyrénées, fa - mous for its mountain cols that feature in the Tour de France every year, has chosen to pay tribute to Miguel Indurain, one of the great Tour de France champions. In 1991, 'King Miguel' won the tortuously long 13th stage of the race from Jaca to Val Louron. After 5 cols and 232 km, Indurain won his first yellow jersey and his first vic - tory in the Tour de France. The Miguel Indurain trail follows the route of this fa - mous stage through the Pyrenees, clim - bing over the Somport, Aubisque, Tourmalet Aspin and Peyresourde cols. The officially named and signposted route, prepared in partnership with Miguel Indurain, will be for - mally opened by the champion in person some time in summer 2013.

Press kit 8 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES Bon appétit!

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE TOULOUSE MÉTROPOLE MIN Since September 2012, the Manatour group and the Toulouse Métropole Marché d’Intérêt National (MIN) have been taking groups of tourists behind the scenes of France's leading state-supported regional who - lesale food market in terms of the number of producers, which is on a par with the Parisian MIN at Rungis. It's a fascinating look at the workings of this other world within the city, covering 18 hectares, 8 of which are occupied by buildings. The tour shows how the 150 businesses, 400 producers and more than 6,000 re - gistered buyers all work together throughout the year. www.manatour.fr

MICHEL BRAS COMES TO TOULOUSE During 2013, the Aveyron-based three-Michelin-star chef Michel Bras and his family will be ope - ning a new gastronomic 'fast food' establishment in Place de La Trinité in Toulouse. Foodies will be able to choose from a selection of around twenty gourmet 'capucins' featuring the finest ingredients and local produce (specialities that users of the autoroute rest area at Millau Viaduct have been enjoying since 2008). The capucin is an innovative pro - duct based on a local tradition. The original capucin, a metal cone with holes in used in rural areas for melting lard, was the inspiration behind the edible version found in Midi-Pyrénées, a cone made of a buckwheat pancake containing a delicious sweet or savoury filling.

Press kit 9 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES New addresses

TOULOUSE (HAUTE-GARONNE) : BIG NEWS: Hôtel Le Père Léon*** re-opens NEW IN LES CARMES after refurbishment In the district of Les Carmes, the historical centre of Tou louse, A family-run establishment in Place Esquirol that is three new chambres d'hôtes establishments have recently very much a part of Toulouse, Le Père Léon is one of opened in a completely refurbished 13th century grand town the city's oldest wine bars, opened in 1905. It has house. The brick architecture typical of La Ville Rose, as recently undergone a 2-year major refurbishment. In Toulouse is known, combines elegantly with the cosy interiors addition to free WiFi in the 41 soundproofed, air- of this boutique accommodation. conditioned and tastefully decorated bedrooms, the www.cote-carmes.com hotel serves up quality cuisine in the brasserie, www.lestoitsdeladalbade.com where the menu has been compiled in close collabo - http://atout-carmes.fr ration with Jean-Marc Boyer, the Michelin-starred chef at Le Puits du Trésor in Lastours. www.pere-leon.com VILLEFRANCHE-DE-ROUERGUE (AVEYRON) : LA MAISON PAGO This former canning workshop has been transformed into a mai - son d'hôtes in the centre of the bastide of Villefranche, on the St James's Way pilgrimage trail. It boasts three comfortable be - drooms and two terraces, one of which has a panoramic view of the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame and over the rooftops of Villefranche de Rouergue, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées. www.maisonpago.fr

MALEVILLE (AVEYRON): DOMAINE LA BROUTIE This estate right in the heart of Aveyron has an amazing view of the Aveyron Gorge countryside. Offering peace and quiet and relaxation, the 2 gîtes and 4 chambres d'hôtes blend in with their beautiful surroundings and are complemented by a riding centre and a heated swimming pool open from May to September. www.domainebroutie.com

TOULOUSE (HAUTE-GARONNE): VILLA AUGUSTA Perched on a hillside overlooking Toulouse, this beautiful mo - dern villa has opened a chambre d’hôtes in stylish, upmarket surroundings. The villa boasts facilities of absolutely exceptio - nal quality, including a swimming pool, wooded grounds of 8,000 m2, a lounge area, gym and infra-red sauna. By arrangement, guests can also enjoy well-being and relaxation treatments given by a qualified professional. http://www.villaaugusta.onlc.fr/

Press kit 10 WHAT'S NEW IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES

CUZANCE (LOT): NEW LOFT AT THE Something different: stay in a tree house MANOIR DE MALAGORSE An amazing view of the valley, ancient oaks A new living space of 110 m2 has recently been crea - and two cabins perched up in the trees… ted at the Manoir de Malagorse, a 19th century re - Brassac in the département of Tarn et sidence in a little Quercy village. The Loft, comprising Garonne is where you'll find this unusual two bedrooms in the former barn, faces onto the accommodation, complete with jacuzzi. main courtyard at Malagorse. www.lacabanedanslarbre.net www.manoir-de-malagorse.fr

POMMEVIC (TARN ET GARONNE): A COUNTRY HOLIDAY WITH TRAFFIC- FREE CYCLING At the Vignes Blanches gîte you have a 500-kilome - tre-long playground on your doorstep! The former canal tow path has been converted into a 'voie verte' traffic-free cycle path that connects the Atlantic with the Mediterranean. The cosy Vignes Blanches gîte, a restored former pigeon house on the Canal de Garonne, offers a comfortable place in which to recover from your exertions. www.tourisme82.com

YURTS AT LES HAUTS D'ALBAS (LOT): Original top-of-the-range accommodation in uns - Something different: an Indian tepee camp poilt surroundings: that's what's on offer from the Taïga & Co has opened the Camp des Mille ten modern yurts scattered around the 12-hec - Collines in the heart of the Lauragais where tare grounds of Les Hauts d'Albas. These very well- you can sleep in a Native American tepee or appointed yurts offer privacy, peace and quiet tent and have a complete and original immer - and lots of space, with a touch of adventure to sive dog-sledding experience. boot! www.taiga-and-co.com www.les-hautsdalbas.com

ROCAMADOUR (LOT): LE RYOKAN A fully restored former stone barn 2 km from the Rocamadour tourist attraction, Le Ryokan com - bines tradition and modernity with its Quercy-style façade and interior conceived and decorated by a designer. This family-run establishment puts the emphasis on hospitality, offering among other things art workshops run by a visual artist. www.leryokan.com

ALVIGNAC-LES-EAUX (LOT): THE CHÂTEAU DE CANTECOR Just 5 km from Rocamadour and the Gouffre de Padirac swallow hole, the Château de Cantecor in Alvignac-les-Eaux has a charming gîte and cabin where guests can stay in authentic surroundings. www.chateau-cantecor.com

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Tel. : +33 (0)5 61 13 55 29 - +33 (0)6 82 82 62 30 t e i V [email protected] . D

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s e é n é Comité Régional du Tourisme r y P - i d 15 rue Rivals - CS 78543 i M

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31685 Toulouse cedex 6 R C www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk