MidiPyrénées

Midi-Pyrénées was a former administrative region of France located in the southwest, with Toulouse as its regional capital. The region existed until 2016, when it was merged with Languedoc-Roussillon to form the new Occitanie region.

Geographically, Midi-Pyrénées stretched from the plains of the Garonne valley to the foothills of the Pyrenees, offering a diversity of landscapes including river basins, rolling farmland, and mountainous terrain. The Garonne and its tributaries flow through the area, and parts of the Pyrenees provided opportunities for winter tourism and mountaineering.

The region contained several major urban centers, with Toulouse as the largest city and economic hub. Other significant towns included Montauban, Albi, Tarbes, Cahors, and Auch. The population of Midi-Pyrénées was distributed across both dense urban areas and extensive rural communities.

Economically, the region was notable for aerospace and aviation, anchored by Toulouse and the presence of Airbus facilities. Beyond industry, Midi-Pyrénées had a strong agricultural sector, producing cereals, wine (notably in Gaillac and surrounding areas), and other farm products. Tourism flourished as well, driven by historic towns, religious architecture, and the Pyrenean and countryside landscapes.

Culturally, Midi-Pyrénées reflected Occitan heritage and a rich architectural legacy. The episcopal city of Albi, with its historic cathedral, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, illustrating the region’s long-standing artistic and religious significance. The area was known for its medieval towns, regional gastronomy, and festival traditions.

Administrative history notes that Midi-Pyrénées was formed as a regional entity in the late 20th century and functioned within the French system of decentralization until the 2016 territorial reform, after which its territory became part of Occitanie.