The Occitan way of life means enjoying the regional specialities that simmer in the kitchens of the great Michelin-starred dining establishments, or in the ovens of welcoming family restaurants. It means finding sanctuary in characterful homes and hotels full of discreet charm, surrounded by unspoilt countryside. It means tasting a fine wine with a vineyard as the only backdrop.
Your introduction to Occitan gastronomy will begin in Toulouse, with its famous cassoulet.
Then you will carry on to Castelnaudary to discover the various steps involved in making this essential speciality of our region. The first stop is a visit to a farmer who grows beans, a basic ingredient in the recipe. Then you will go and see the famous cassoles being made at the Not pottery. These are the dishes used to cook the cassoulet.
Last but not least, you will join a chef to watch a cassoulet being prepared, before tucking in!
The afternoon will be devoted to exploring the Aude vineyard in a 2 CV car. You will set off for an unusual outing through the Narbonne vineyard: roads of the listed La Clape massif, panoramic views of the Mediterranean, lagoons, salt marshes...
Next, you will travel along the Canal du Midi to Bize-Minervois, the capital of the Lucques olive and home to the only oil producers' cooperative in Aude. There you can see the oil mill and discover the various steps involved in preparing olive oil (from picking to bottling), as well as the famous Lucques preparation.
Lunch will be a colourful affair as we invite you to join us at the Halles de Narbonne covered market.
This market with a difference has managed to keep its distinctive character for over a century by fostering a friendly and authentic atmosphere. This is an essential destination for epicureans, teeming with life. It is designed to promote contact and interaction, but above all it offers its clientele a vast selection of fresh products that are known all over the region for their quality.
The next day, you will carry on towards Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert for a day on the theme of truffles, with a look at woodland truffle farming: cutting and pruning techniques, learning how old truffle woods are brought back into use, locating and spotting truffle-related plants, quick analysis of the various truffle soils and more...
The evening will be spent enjoying truffle specialities served with local wines. The next day, you have the option to attend one of the many truffle festivals depending on the time of year.
Practical information
The Regional Tourist Board's press team is here to help you tailor this programme to suit your requirements and organise your trip to Occitania.
Comité Régional du Tourisme et des Loisirs Occitanie
Other websites
Getting here