The region

The Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée region is home to 13 departments and over 4,500 local districts. The region boasts a rich variety of landscapes and microclimates, including two mountain ranges and 220km of Mediterranean coastline.

To travel through our region is to breathe in the atmosphere of our ancient castles, stroll under a patchwork of colourful market stalls, or travel through time in the caves of Ariège or the amphitheatre at Nîmes. The region is the perfect destination for both nature lovers and history buffs. The variety of landscapes on offer is rivalled only by the incredible diversity of cultures.
Whether you’re a history lover, a hiker, photographer or a Sunday stroller, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée.

Between the Garonne and Rhône rivers there lies a vast space, bordered in the north by the foothills of the Massif Central and in the south by the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean sea. For twenty-seven centuries, this area of southern Europe, with its multitude of subtly-interconnected spaces and communities, has seen peoples of different cultures and spiritualities interact and intermingle. The regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées have always forged close links and created opportunities for exchange. For proof, look no further than our history…

Economic Development is one of the primary strengths of the Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée region. In 2017, the Region set its sights on the economy of the future, strengthening its commitments to economic development and innovation.
Industry, agriculture, coastal and mountain regions, digital resources: the assets with which our region is equipped provide myriad opportunities for job creation.

A combination of myriad landscapes, exceptional heritage, year-round cultural events and culinary prestige combine to create the unique setting that tempts 30 million tourists from France and abroad to visit our region every year.

With almost 5.830 million inhabitants, Occitanie is now the 5th-most populous region in France. Two of our 13 departments have more than a million inhabitants: Haute-Garonne (1.356 million) and Hérault (1.137 million). Conversely, Lozère is the least populated department in the region, with 75,784 inhabitants. With its vast size, the population density in Occitanie is lower than the national average: 79 inhabitants per km2, as opposed to 116 for mainland France.