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The Midi-Pyrénées is the largest region in France, and is actually bigger than some European countries. The region shares with Aquitaine the ancient province of Gascony, whose inhabitants are famous for their bravery and tall stories as well as for producing Armagnac.

Toulouse is the chef-lieu of the region, on the River Garonne, 679km south of Paris. Capital of the Visigoth empire, then of Aquitaine, it suffered during the crusades against the Cathars and became part of France in 1271. Now it is known for its beauty—it is referred to as la Ville rose—and as the home of Aerospace Industries, the European consortium which produces the Airbus.

The cities in the region were amongst the most civilised medieval Europe: they saw the flourishing of the troubadours, who took their odes and ballads the length and breadth of the south, making the langue d'oc the language of poetry, and of love. In Toulouse, Foix and elsewhere, proud lords built proud castles; and now, though these fiefdoms have long been governed by Paris, the fiercely independent spirit of the south lives on. Les Chevaliers cathares, by folk singer Francis Cabrel, is a poignant reminder of the Cathar heresy, which was crushed by the Inquisition in the 13th century. More poignant still is a visit to Montségur, in Ariège: it is the very symbol of Cathar resistance, and was the site of a bitter siege; the defenders opted to die in the flames of a giant pyre rather than recant.

More strife came during the Hundred Years' War, when English and French forces collided in the area. Both sides built bastides, or fortified villages, to establish strongholds in the area. There are several hundred examples of bastide in the area; most, if not all, are focused on a central square with the village church at one corner.

The 241-kilometre canal du Midi, used principally for tourism these days, is popular with everyone that travels it. Its 17th-century engineer, Pierre-Paul Riquet, pioneered a method of keeping it filled with water from la montagne Noire, even though it travelled cross-country from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and therefore sloped upwards on both sides. The cutting of the canal led to vast improvements in the speed at which goods could be transported across the south of France, and contributed greatly to the economy of the area.

One of the staples of the area's cuisine is poultry—specifically, duck and goose. Perhaps the most essential example of Gascon cooking is foie gras, although these days its preparation is the object of a certain amount of criticism. Unfortunately for ducks and geese, however, it is perhaps the most delicious foodstuff on the planet. Unfortunately for us, it is practically all fat. Another vital part of the cuisine of the area is cassoulet, made with poultry of one sort or another, sausages and beans. The dish may sound simple, but its many, many subtle ingredients and the complicated manner of preparing it mean that it is a major undertaking; local cooks, however, are all dab hands at it.

The most famous cheese of the region is Roquefort, which is made from ewe-milk and matured in cool, deep rock clefts. The local spirit is Armagnac, which was in fact produced before Cognac, and has a fatter, richer flavour—the product of a single distillation and dark oak casks for ageing.

The Midi-Pyrénées is situated in the middle of South West France. The region is vast and therefore extremely varied. To the west, the landscape is undulating with fields of yellow sunflowers in spring and early summer. Further to the east lie deep gorges carved out millions of years ago, hilltop castles and picturesque walled villages known locally as bastide villages.

The region has something for everyone – peace, adventure sport, nature, culture and good food and drink. Beautiful walks, mountain biking and pony trekking can all be enjoyed in this region and skiing in the Pyrénées is only a drive away. Summers are hot and winters are short with cold crisp days.