Occitanie

Discover Occitanie: a land of wealth and diversity

L’Occitanie, une région aux multiples visages, saura vous charmer par sa diversité et sa beauté. Que vous soyez passionné de mountainsof beaches, de campagnes verdoyantes ou de vie urbaine, l’Occitanie vous promet des découvertes surprenantes. Découvrons ensemble les facettes de sa géographie, de son heritage et des activités qu’elle propose.

The geography of Occitanie: from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean

With its 72,725 km2, Occitanie is the second largest region in France just after Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It comprises 13 départements, 5 of which share borders with Spain or Andorra.

The Mediterranean Sea borders the south of the region, giving it a pleasantly mild, sunny climate. The Garonne River flows through Occitanie, joining the Atlantic at Bordeaux, and by the Canal du Midi, which connects Toulouse à la Méditerranée. Les Pyrénées dominent le paysage au sud, avec le pic d’Aneto s’élevant à 3 404 mètres d’altitude.

The region also includes part of the Massif Central, offering landscapes a variety of plateaus, gorges, and volcanoes. C’est une région riche en biodiversité, abritant plus de 2 000 espèces végétales et 400 espèces animales, ainsi que des parcs naturels régionaux et nationaux, dont les Grands Causses et celui des Pyrénées.

A cultural and historical heritage not to be missed

L’Occitanie, forte d’une histoire et d’une culture distinctes, doit son nom à la langue occitane, parlée par environ 500 000 personnes. Cette langue romane, cousin du catalan, a engendré une riche littérature médiévale avec les troubadours et leurs chansons de geste. La région a traversé des époques de prospérité et de conflits, notamment lors de la croisade contre les Cathares. L’influence romaine est également notable avec des monuments such as the Pont du Gard and the city of Nîmes.

The architectural heritage of Occitanie is remarkable, with emblematic cities such as Toulouse, Montpellier and Carcassonne, the latter famous for its medieval city. The region boasts 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Canal du Midi and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse.

Must-sees: what to see and do in Occitanie?

L’Occitanie offre une vaste palette d’activités pour tous les goûts : sport, culture, gastronomy or celebrations. Here are a few must-sees:

• skiSkiing in the Pyrenees, with resorts suitable for all skill levels and budgets.
• Enjoy the beaches of the Mediterranean, with their fine sand, secret coves and seaside resorts.
• Explore the museums and monuments that bear witness to the region's rich history and culture, such as the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum in Albi, the Fabre Museum in Montpellier, and the Soulages Museum in Rodez.
• Taste the culinary specialties of Occitanie, a true gastronomic voyage with cassoulet, foie gras, Roquefort and many others.
• Participate in regional festivals and events, reflecting the diversity and cultural richness of Occitanie, such as the Marciac jazz festival or the Tour de France cycling race.

Study in Occitanie: choose excellence in an idyllic setting

Occitanie attracts a large number of students thanks to its varied range of high-quality training courses, affordable cost of living and unrivalled quality of life. Whether you're aiming for a university, a grande école or any other type of establishment, Occitanie has the training you need. Discover the advantages of studying in Occitanie.

Universities and grandes écoles: a wide choice of courses

With 8 universities, a Communauté d'universités et d'établissements (COMUE) and a Institut national universitaire, Occitanie boasts a wide range of training courses covering all disciplines: health, engineering, literature, languages, human sciences, law and economics. These institutions are home to numerous research laboratories and maintain close partnerships with the professional sector, offering opportunities for international mobility and continuing education.

The region is also home to some excellent grandes écoles, preparing students for careers as engineers, managers, artists or specialists in various fields. Among the most renowned are AgroParisTech Montpellier, Toulouse Business School, Polytech Montpellier, ENAC Toulouse, ISAE-Supaéro Toulouse, as well as Mines d'Albi and d'Alès. These schools, which are accessible via competitive entrance examinations, award prestigious diplomas and open the door to a wide range of careers.

Student life in Occitanie: accommodation, cost of living and quality of life

Choosing Occitanie for your studies also means benefiting from a pleasant living environment and a reasonable cost of living. According to L'Etudiant's 2020 rankings, Toulouse and Montpellier rank 2nd and 3rd respectively among France's student cities. These cities offer a wide choice of student accommodation, from halls of residence to shared flats, from studio flats to rooms in private homes, with average rents of 450 euros in Toulouse and 500 euros in Montpellier.

The region offers financial aid to students, including social grants, regional emergency aid funds, Pass Mutuelle schemes and international mobility vouchers. Living in Occitanie means enjoying a sunny climate, rich gastronomy, dynamic cultural life and unspoilt nature. Students have access to numerous events, festivals, concerts, museums, theaters, cinemas and libraries, as well as a wide range of cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

There's no shortage of sporting and leisure activities, with options including skiing, hiking, cycling, surfing, sailing, canoeing and climbing.

Transport networks: getting around the region with ease

Occitanie boasts an efficient transport network, making it easy for students to get around. The main cities are connected by TER trains, regional buses and car-sharing services, with reduced fares thanks to the Jeune Occitanie card. Toulouse and Montpellier have metro, streetcar and city bus systems, not to mention self-service bicycles and electric scooters, for optimum urban mobility.

The region is also well connected to the rest of France and Europe via TGV lines, freeways and the Toulouse-Blagnac and Montpellier-Méditerranée airports.

Living in Occitanie: a dynamic and welcoming region

Whether you're looking to work, live, play or make new friends, the Occitanie region has a lot to offer. The region offers a friendly environment full of opportunities.

Discover what makes Occitanie so charming.

Working in Occitanie: growth sectors and job quality

With its impressive economic dynamism, Occitanie ranks third among French regions in terms of business start-ups, with over 100,000 new businesses expected by 2023. The region shines in the diversity of its business sectors: agriculture, industry, tourism, commerce, services, innovation, research, aeronautics, space, digital and health. Thanks to its competitiveness clusters, technopoles and business incubators, Occitanie stimulates economic development and collaboration between market players. It is also recognized for the quality of its jobs, with an average salary above the national average, low unemployment and high employment rates among women and seniors.

The living environment: between city, sea and mountains

L’Occitanie charme par son cadre de vie unique, offrant une variété de paysages, de climats et de cultures. Que vous soyez urbain, amateur de la mer ou de la montagne, vous trouverez votre bonheur ici. Les villes occitanes, comme Montpellier, Toulouse, Nîmes, Perpignan, Carcassonne, Albi, Cahors, and Narbonne are famous for their charm, heritage, vibrancy, and quality of life. The region is also blessed by the Mediterranean Sea, with its fine sandy beaches, seaside resorts, marinas, water sports, and seafood cuisine. Mountain lovers will appreciate its mountain ranges, ski resorts, nature parks, hiking trails, and mountain cuisine.

Integration and social life: activities, events and local communities

Warm and welcoming, Occitanie is ideal for newcomers. Its dense network of associations offers a multitude of sporting, cultural, social and environmental activities. The region is alive with festive, cultural, artistic and sporting events, making it easy to meet and integrate. It's also home to a wide variety of local communities, bringing people together around their interests, origins or projects, such as expatriate associations, entrepreneurial networks, leisure groups and language clubs. Occitanie is the perfect place to make friends and integrate easily.

Conclusion

Occitania, with its undeniable charmWhether you want to travel, study or live. This region is a crossroads of excellence, diversity, beauty and conviviality, offering a wide range of possibilities and advantages for everyone.

It promises memorable experiences and inspires the desire to rediscover it again and again. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in Occitanie. To find out more about this magnificent region, its activities, offerings and services, visit our website.

If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone, e-mail or via our online chat. We look forward to helping you plan your adventure in Occitanie.

Occitanie is waiting for you with open arms, so don't miss your chance!

FAQ

What are the best times to visit Occitanie?

To get the most out of Occitanie, choose your period according to your interests. To explore its rich cultural and natural heritage, choose April to October. Ski and mountain enthusiasts will be delighted from late November to March.

What are the must-see sites in Occitanie?

Occitanie is full of treasures to explore, including :

• Visit cité de Carcassonnea UNESCO-listed medieval jewel.
• The Pic du Midi, with its breathtaking views of the Pyrenees and astronomical observatory.
• Visit Pont du GardAn impressive Roman aqueduct, a testament to the ingenuity of the ancients.
• Visit Canal du Midia wonderful waterway linking the Garonne to the Mediterranean.
• The Cirque de Gavarnie, a natural amphitheater with Europe's highest waterfall.
• The Causses and Cévennesillustrating the symbiosis between man and nature.
• The fortifications of Vaubana defense network designed by the famous military engineer.
• Visit routes to Santiago de Compostelaspiritual itineraries dotted with historic monuments.

How can you get around Occitanie easily and cheaply?

There are several ways to travel without breaking the bank:

• The +=0 scheme, offering free travel on the liO regional network to young people aged 12 to 26 after 11 journeys.
• Carpooling, with advantageous rates for both passengers and drivers thanks to support from the Region.
• The LibertiO 'Jeunes Tariff, offering 50% discount on train journeys for under-26s.

What are the opportunities for study and employment in Occitanie?

Occitanie stands out for its dynamism in education and employment, with :

• 11,913 training organizations offering a wide range of programs in a variety of sectors.
• Job opportunities in cooking, home help, care, service, maintenance and more.
• The professions most in demand in 2023 include kitchen helpers, home helps, care assistants, etc.
• A regional digital tool facilitating the search for training, jobs and professional contacts.