Occitanie

A diverse and captivating region

Occitanie, located in the south of France, is a vast and diverse region offering breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and a thriving property market. Bordered by Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine to the west, Occitanie is an attractive destination for those seeking a property in France.

Occitanie is known worldwide for its diverse attractions, from the aerospace industry (Airbus) to the famous Roquefort cheese and the renowned pilgrimage site of Lourdes — a unique blend of history, industry, and nature. With a population of approximately 5.8 million and covering an area of 73,000 km², it is one of France’s largest regions, consisting of 13 departments:

Outdoor adventures

The varied landscapes of Occitanie make it an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise:

Summer activities — canyoning, rafting, hydro speed, climbing, paragliding, gliding, hiking, horse riding, and mountain biking.
Winter sports — the Pyrenean ski resorts, including St-Lary-Soulan (famous for international snowboard competitions), Barèges, and La Mongie, offer some of the best slopes in the region.

Occitanie is also home to several protected natural areas — the Cauterets National Nature Reserve (Hautes-Pyrénées), the Labastide-Murat Regional Natural Park (Lot), the Saint-Pons-de-Thomières Regional Natural Park (Hérault), and the Millau Regional Natural Park (Aveyron) — preserving the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity.

Cultural heritage and craftsmanship

Many famous artists and intellectuals have left their mark on Occitanie, including Champollion in Figeac, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres in Montauban, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in Albi — their legacies live on in the region’s museums.

Charming markets — some of the most famous are in Figeac, Cahors, Revel, and Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
Laguiole knives — famous for their precision and elegance.
Hats of Caussade — a historic hat-making centre since 1857.
Furniture and marquetry from Revel — known for fine woodworking and Louis XIV-style furniture.

Occitanie also boasts 17 thermal institutes welcoming nearly 75,000 visitors annually, including Balnéa in Génos-Loudenvielle, the Eugénie Thermal Baths in Luz-Saint-Sauveur, and Aquensis in Bagnères-de-Bigorre.

Gastronomy and wine

The region is famous for its culinary excellence:

Foie gras from Gers.
Cassoulet from Castelnaudary.
Aligot from Aveyron.
Roquefort cheese, made since the 11th century.
Chasselas de Moissac grapes, AOC certified.

The wine culture is equally rich, with renowned vineyards producing Cahors, Gaillac, Pacherenc, and Armagnac, one of France’s oldest brandies.

Getting there and buying in Occitanie

Direct flights connect the UK to the region: EasyJet flies London Gatwick to Toulouse, and Ryanair connects Dublin, Liverpool, and East Midlands to Carcassonne, and London Stansted to Rodez.

Our team at Sextant Properties can help you find the perfect property in Occitanie. With an extensive network of registered French real estate agents fluent in French and English, we specialise in a wide range of properties, including:

Farmhouses, longères, and barns
Gîtes and B&Bs
Country houses and mills
Villas and châteaux

We offer properties in key locations such as Albi, Toulouse, Najac, Rodez, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Mazamet, Castres, Foix, Mirepoix, Gaillac, Figeac, Espalion, and Montauban. Contact us to explore our latest property listings in Occitanie.