Live like God in France? Where, if not in the south-east between alpine lakes, the Massive-Central and the Catalan Pyrenees? The Okzitanien region is characterized by numerous nature reserves and cultural highlights. The regional administration operates its own regional, electrically powered rail network, which serves classic excursion destinations such as the Regional Nature Parks and historically significant cities such as Albi, Perpignon or Carcasson and others in an environmentally friendly way.
Live like God in France? Where, if not in the south-east between alpine lakes, the Massive-Central and the Catalan Pyrenees? The Okzitanien region is characterized by numerous nature reserves and cultural highlights. The regional administration operates its own regional, electrically powered rail network, which serves classic excursion destinations such as the Regional Nature Parks and historically significant cities such as Albi, Perpignon or Carcasson and others in an environmentally friendly way.
Topography
Okzitanien, also often referred to as the "little France in France", offers a wide range of climates. Both high and mountain climates, as well as Atlantic, cooler influences and a strongly Mediterranean climate, create an interesting and species-rich mixture. High plateaus (Causses), extinct volcanoes such as the famous Puy de Dôme for Tour de France cyclists, rugged mountain ranges such as the Cevennes and the towering peaks of the northeastern Pyrenees, characterise the landscape and with it the flora and fauna.
The protection of nature and the preservation of biodiversity are of great importance in Okzitanien. Eight regional nature parks, two national parks and a marine park testify to the commitment of the population and the public administration. The nature reserves cover more than a third of the entire region.
History
Okzitanien has a rich history, of which numerous buildings and other cultural traces still testify today. The region was settled long before the Romans, and Julius Caesar gave it enormous military strategic importance. After the Romans came the West Goths, then the Franks. The most significant period was probably that of the wars for the Catholic faith. The Cathars, closely associated with the Albigenses (Albi), whose dualistic belief system and rejection of wealth and luxury were a thorn in the side of both the French royal family and, above all, the papacy, had their roots and retreats in the cities and fortresses of Okzitanien. The Albigensian Crusade (1209 – 1229) led by Simon de Montfort against the "heretics" ended in the most brutal way the reform movement oriented towards the original Christianity.
Cultural treasures
Whether it's the two attractive metropolises of Toulouse and Montpellier, cultural sites such as the city of Albi with the world's largest brick cathedral and Carcassonne with its world-famous fortress – both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites – and are rewarding excursion destinations. Or the ruins of the Montsegur monastery, the last refuge of the Albigenses, the vibrant art hub of Montauban with the Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres Museum, prehistoric cave dwellings in the Pyrenees, astronomical observation stations – all can be easily reached by a circular tour with the liO train.
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Albi, die Kulturmetropole aus Backstein und Heimat der Albigenser -
Montauban beherbergt das berühmte Museum Ingres-Bourdelle -
Toulouse, die Hauptstadt Okzitaniens am Fluss Garonne
Attractive rail travel offer
In 2016, the Occitanie region, in response to the regional administrative reforms, placed great emphasis on replacing private car travel and continues to pursue this approach in the future. To achieve this, the authorities have created a well-suited rail infrastructure.
The liO train operates on a total of thirty lines with 281 stations and a daily ticket with the corresponding name "Occitanie Rail Tour Pass" for journeys between two and six days for a mere 10 euros per day. This includes bicycles or e-bikes, provided there is sufficient space. In addition, the possibility of combining train travel with bus transfers for two euros is available. Each destination, whether it's a metropolis, a historic old town or a nature or national park, can thus be easily reached without a private car, in an environmentally friendly and economical way for the respective travel budget. There are also a great number of thematic packages that bundle the offers for culture, nature, science, art and gastronomy at particularly favourable conditions. The offers to combine train travel with excursions such as e-bikes or boats are also well structured.
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Der liO-Zug ist bereit zur Abfahrt -
Schöne, ständig wechselnde Impressionen lassen keine Langeweile aufkommen
In this way, all the highlights of this wonderful region can be explored stress-free and in a completely relaxed way. The costs of fuel, traffic jams and the frustration of searching for parking spaces disappear, allowing you to feel like a "God in France".
