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Midi Pyrénées Tourist Information Midi-Pyrénées
Things to do & see French Pyrenees
Department 31: Haute-Garonne
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French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Auterive  
Auterive is on the River Ariège, and has 8500 inhabitants. A dynamic town with some medieval walls and an old quarter with quaint narrow streets. The medieval bridge over the river Ariège connects the old town to the more modern part of the town, La Madeleine which has a large shady square. There are good fishing spots along the river bank. St Paul's Church has an impressive organ, and the town is well supplied with a good variety of shops and restaurants. The Musée des Vieux Outils is open on Saturday afternoons from 2.30 - 6.00 and has exhibitions of craftsmen's tools, and surgical and vetinary instruments. There are three weekly markets: Sunday for organic and traditional produce, a Tuesday market in the old town and a Friday morning market on Esplanade de la Madeleine, which is also home to the Tourist Office. Tel 05 61 50 28 71.  
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French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Cadours
 
Cadours is the town where the renowned violet garlic is grown. Although garlicis grown in many parts of the world, the unique micro climate of Cadours is particularly favourable for the production of this unusual bulb. Cadours hosts a Garlic Festival in the last weekend in August. There are evening markets (one in July, two in August) and a weekly market on Wednesdays. The town is situated at an altitude of 250 metres and on clear days there are spectacular views of the Pyrenees. Visits include the Brignemont Windmill, first constructed in 1740, and now restored and producing flour in the traditional way. There are three lakes in the area - Lac Garc, Lac Grès and Lac Brignemont, all offering fishing. Tennis and golf are also catered for. In or nearby the town are the Châteaux of Larra and Merville, and the Fortress of Launac dating from 1210.  
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French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Luchon
At 630m altitude, Luchon offers a wide range of sporting activities. The nearby ski station of Superbagnères reaches an altitude of 2260m, with cross-country skiing, and skiing lessons for all abilities (French). There is a hydrotherapy centre with treatments and swimming pool. Outdoor pursuits include golf, mini golf, mountain biking and climbing. The town has cinemas, bars, restaurants and a casino.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Mauressac
A small village of 250 inhabitants, 35km south of Toulouse, with 'Ville Fleurie' status and noted for its Christmas lights and decorations. A craft fair takes place in May.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Montréjeau
Montéjeau is one of the most beautiful ski areas of the Pyrenees, with several ski stations including Les Agudes, Le Mourtis, Saint-Lary, Cap-Nesté and La Mongie. It is situated at the confluent of the rivers Nesté and La Garonne, and close to the GR86 route. The town has a lake with pedaloes to hire, and a 9 hole golf course and public swimming pool nearby. The Château de Valmirande has excellent gardens and parks. There is a selection of restaurants, and a Monday market.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Muret
In the middle ages Muret was a flourishing town with fortifications to rival those of Toulouse. Vestiges of the town's past still remain in the form of the 12th century Saint Marcet Chapel and the Eglise Saint Jacques dating from 1159. A 15th century house, classified as a historic monument, can be seen at 30 Rue Clement Alder. A large park, the Parc Jean Jaurés provides shady walks, and the town has the Musée Clement Ader dedicated to aviation and local archaeology. Other churches to visit include Saint Martin d'Ox and Saint Cassian d'Estantens. There is a flea market every Sunday.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Revel-St-Ferreol
Revel, at the foot of the Montagne Noire is best known for being the home of fine crafted furniture. There is an exhibition Revel Art et Meuble with workshops and displays. The town is an excellent example of a bastide town (a fortified town constructed during the 100 Years War) with streets in neatly patterned grids, with a fine market square at the heart of the town, surrounded by medieval houses . The market is held on Saturday mornings. The town has an open air swimming pool. Visit the 80 hectare Lake Ferreol site offering sailing, swimming, hiking, windsurfing and rock climbing. The area around the town is of outstanding natural beauty.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Rieux-Volvestre
Rieux-Volvestre, 45 km south of Toulouse, dates from the middle ages and has the Cathedral Sainte Marie which overlooks the River Arize. On the first Sunday in May is the Tir au Papogay, an archery competition where local men can shoot at a wooden bird at the top of a 45m high mast. The first to shoot the bird down becomes the 'King' of Rieux for a year. During the summer there is street theatre entertainment. Around the town there are more than 40km of walking paths. Visit the Garonne Lake for sailing, and at nearby Latrape, visit the Observatory Les Pléiades. Parapenting is available at the village of Gensac, and there is riding at the Volvestre Centre d'Equitation. There is a library, two cinemas and three restaurants. A choice of 3 guided tours is available at the Tourist Office which is located 9 Rue de léEvêché. Tel 05 61 87 63 33.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Saint Gaudens
Saint Gaudens is situated between Toulouse and Tarbes and is within easy reach of the Spanish border. Its tourist sites include the gothic Cathedral Sainte-Marie de Saint-Bertrans de Comminges, the 12th century Basilique Saint-Just de Valcabrère, and the ruins of a roman villa which has traces of numerous rooms, courtyards and a temple. Visit the Grottes de Gargas where there are prehistoric drawings and handprints, and the Museum with its collection of Bleu de Valentine porcelain made in Saint Girons in the 15th century. The town has a swimming pool, and a market on Thursday and Saturday mornings. Local artists and craftsmen sell their work at La Vitrine Décoverte. The Tourist Office is at 2 Rue Thiers. Tel 05 61 94 77 61.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: St-Elix-le-Château
A small town which opened the Expo Plantes Rares, one of the best botanical gardens in France in 2007. Housing several collections including cactii, mediterranean and tropical plants, miniatures, bonsai and an English garden. Take exit 25 on the A64/E80. The Château is impressive and worth a visit.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: St-Félix-Lauragais
A small town with a 14th century church and the ruins of a fortified castle. From the terrace of the castle there are panoramic views over the Montange Noir and the Pyrenees. During Easter weekend there is the Fete de la Cocagne, featuring local produce, traditions and crafts.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Toulouse
Toulouse is a splendid cosmopolitan univeristy city with a wealth of historical sites, prestigious monuments, entertainment and nightlife. Among the many places of interest in the city are The Capitole Building, now the Town Hall and Théâtre National du Capiltol, the 13th - 17th Cathedral of St Etienne, the Jacobins Monastery, the Roman Amphitheatre dating from the 1st century AD and the Carmelite Chapel. Churches to visit include Notre Dame de la Dalbade, Notre Dame de la Daurade, Notre Dame du Taur, Saint Pierre des Cuisines Church and the 11th century Saint-Sernin Basilica, an important stage on the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage route. The town has 14 museums including the History of Medicine Museum, the Natural History Museum and The Old Toulouse Museum. Visit the Cité de l'Espace with its two auditoriums with state of the art technology, dedicated to space travel. The Planetarium is the second auditorium, and outside are life size models of spacecraft. Another exciting trip is to Airbus, from where the first Concorde and the first Airbus took off. Three different tours aournd Airbus are available. Go cruising on the River Garonne or on the Canal du Midi, or visit the Africal Safari Park and Zoo, or the Aquarium de la Garonne et des Pyrénées. A city pass is available from the Tourist Office and selected hotels, valid for one person for one year. Eleven different guided tours are available from the Tourist Office.
 
French Pyrenees Tourist Information: Haute-Garonne: Verfeil
An ancient bastide town which has conserved much of its history in the form of old buildings. Two of the town's original gates survive: La Porte Tholozenque and La Porte Vaueze. Visit the 8th century Château de Verveil, and the 16th century church. The church was commissioned by two brothers and the payment for its construction was 150 crowns, 12 pipes of red wine and 12 cartons of wheat. There are two lakes, Lac Balerne, which has a 6 km perimeter walking trail and fishing, and Lac Laragou for sailing and fishing. Other sites of interest are the towns's bread oven and the ancient Maison des Frères.
   
     
   
   
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