Midi-Pyrenees

In the Midi-Pyrenees region the historic sites go back far into the past with thousands of Palaeolithic cave paintings. Among the best sites are Lascaux and Niaux. The caves at Rocamadour are known as the Grotte des Merveilles and it is marvellous indeed to see the 20,000-year-old paintings.

If you’re at Rocamadour, you will of course be ascending the ancient stone steps of the Grand Escalier to the top of the cliff-side town. This has been a major pilgrimage route since the 12th century, when the Cité Religieuse (religious city) was first founded at the top of the cliffs. Anyone interested in pilgrimage will also want to go to Lourdes, where miraculous cures have been claimed by pilgrims since the site was founded in the mid nineteenth century.

The midi-Pyrenees is also Cathar country - the ancient civilisation with its Occitan language, which was all but destroyed in the 12th century crusades. Cathar monuments include the fortress at Montségur.

Specialities of the region include foie gras, Roquefort and Bleu des Causses cheeses as well as the remarkable gâteau à la broche - or spit-roasted cake!