A chance to win a trip to South of France Occitanie, a rugby heartland

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Occitanie Sporting ActivitiesCities

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Reading time: 0 minPublished on 1 January 2023

Discover a Rugby Hearland in the Southern French region of Occitanie and have a chance to win one of 5 trips to the beautiful region during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup! Discover how rugby made its way from the fields of England to Place du Capitole, Toulouse.

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Discover the beautiful destination of L'Occitanie Sud de France

Places you must see in the flagship rugby cities of Occitanie

- TOULOUSE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

Dubbed the "Pink City" because of the orangepinkish bricks used for many of its buildings, Toulouse is the capital of the Occitanie region and the birthplace of the European aeronautical and space industries (home to Airbus and Arianespace). Revel in its rich and fully-pedestrianised historic centre, most notably featuring the famous Place du Capitole, the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the Jacobin Monastery, prepare to be amazed by the performance machines at Halle de la Machine, and relive the history of the aeronautical industry by visiting the Aeroscopia Museum; "l’Envol des pionniers," the birthplace of airmail services; or even, Airbus' assembly lines. www.toulouse-visit.com www.halledelamachine.fr/en

- Less than an hour's drive from Toulouse

The Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an unmissable sight to behold. Its Bastille Day fireworks display on the 14 July is one of the most spectacular in the world. Dubbed the "Versailles of Languedoc," the nearby Pennautier Châteauis also worth a visit, where you can taste the wines of the Maison Lorgeril estate, a multi-award-winning establishment in the French wine tourism industry. https://www.lorgeril.wine/en/history-andarchitecture/

The red city of Albi is renowned for its cathedral, Sainte-Cécile, the largest brick-built monument in the world, as well as the Toulouse Lautrec Museum, which pays tribute to the famous Belle Époque (Beautiful Age) painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who was born in the city in 1864. www.albi-tourisme.fr/en

Castres, another rugby town, is known for its Goya Museum and the delightful old houses along the river, which give the place a Florence-like feel. www.tourisme-castresmazamet.com

Montauban, houses a museum dedicated to two famous artists: the painter Jean- Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. You must also see the stunning cloister of the nearby Moissac Abbey, a site awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its position along the Route of Santiago de Compostela.

- MONTPELLIER AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

Montpellier stuns its visitors with its daring architecture and its fully pedestrianised historic centre. Stroll through the Peyrou Gardens in Place de la Comédie, traversing the rich old town brimming with unique 17th and 18th century hotels. You may also wish to visit the incredible Fabre Museum, the Montpellier Fine Arts Museum and the brand-new contemporary art museum, MoCo,before basking in the delight of l'Arbre blanc (The White Tree), a futuristic tower block designed by the Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. https://www.montpellier-france.com/

By France.fr

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