Located in southwest France, from the plateau of Aubrac to the peaks of the Pyrenees, from the infinite space of the great 'Causses' up the slopes of Gascony, 'Midi-Pyrenees' is one of the most beautiful that can recorrer.Comprendida in eight departments ( Arriège Pyrénées, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Lot, Hautes Pyrénées, Tarn, Tarn and Garonne ), the 'Midi-Pyrenees' surprised both by the beauty of its natural environments, such as diversity of populations, since prehistoric times (as witnessed the numerous rock paintings discovered in caves in the region ) have populated the region. This diversity is the result of centuries of crosses between different heavy migration and wars of conquest and the religion that for centuries have been beaten, bequeathing a very strong cultural heritage.
Hundreds of fortified villages, castles and abbeys. Some of the greatest testimonies of medieval architecture ( as the fabulous Cathedral of Santa Cecilia at Albi and the castles of Perigord Noir ) and the omnipresent figure of the ' Cathars' or ' albigenenses' , a religious sect that, among XI and XIII centuries, dominated the religious life in the region, constituting a real threat to the central power of the Catholic Church of Rome and the then kingdom of France. In the region of the 'Midi-Pyrenees' highest can visit sites from the dawn of humanity (as the caves of Lascaux and Niaux, among other ) to the space city of Toulouse , through some of the most beautiful cities in southwestern France as Albi, Toulouse , Rocamadour, Cahors, Moisac or Sarlat. Not counting the countless peoples of the region, registered in the list of the organization 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France' : Pyere, Conques, Belcastel, Saint Come d'Olt, Cardaillac, Brousse-le-Château , Sainte Eulate d'Olt, Najac, Estaing, La Couvertouirade, Lauzerte, among others. Cities and towns dyed pink and ocher, where the 'clay' centuries has shaped the environment of a particular culture, unique and warlike. Yes, Gore has been for centuries the joint pain that has united these peoples. But today, a whole range of cultural heritage is what prevails on the regions, forming in Midi-Pyrenees , one of the most beautiful scenery in southwest France. Something that has caught wide attention, much of this vast region, is somewhat similar to the famous and so beautiful Tuscan. Something in those valleys in those mountains and the local architecture reminded me at every step. And then I actually commented that the department Aveyron is known as 'French Tuscany' , both for the scenery, for the obvious Italian influence in architecture and local culture.
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-From "Regional Committee of Tourism Midi-Pyrenees' we propose different circuits for better organization of our stay in the area and make better use of time spent visiting. Personally I think all of these paths are valuable to go, the car being the best means of transport, due to the diversity of landscapes and the distance between people and people. Without the freedom to move around the back roads that connect these legendary people. I was fortunate to visit the region several times and each time returned with the feeling of discovering more and more districts that were unaware of their existence. The last time I was there, I fortunate to have the invaluable help of my local hosts, Michelle and Jacques, who led me through some of these wonderful landscapes, landscapes. Some of those people that we propose from the 'Regional Tourism Committee' are
- Route of the Cathars and Templars : a circuit of villages and ancient fortresses and legends Abbeys (mostly in ruins) which allows us to see up close, their hsitoria 'religious warriors' that spanned much of the local hsitoria. The 'Knights Templar' , founded around 1118, and at first mission was to train 'cavaliers' to the protection of pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land after the First Crusade. Its political and economic power was growing at over two centuries, determining that Philip IV of France, deeply in debt and distrust of power achieved by the Knights Templar, pressured Pope Clement V to disband the Order. Fact that it finally happens in 1312. The sudden disappearance of their social structure gave rise to many speculations and legends that have kept alive the name of the Knights Templar to our days. As for the ' Cathars' or ' Albigenenses ', was a religious doctrine of gnostic character, which spread through much of Western Europe to mid tenth century Being around the thirteenth century that the Cathars had great influence in the region known today as 'Midi-Pyrenees' , especially in the so-called 'Languedoc' ( or 'language of Occitan' ) due to the support they received from the feudal vassals of the Crown of Aragon. They also had the disapproval of Pope Innocent III, due to the constant threat posed to the power of the Catholic Church in all this, since then, rich region. Finally, once again, the church allied with the king of France organized 'Crusade albigenense' ( started in 1209), which took several years and bloody battles to break the power of this order. Today we can visit many of those battlefields and ruins of fortified castles where the events took place that for centuries marked the pulse of the region. A trail of legends absolutely fabulous!
- Wine Trail and culinary wonders: How could it be otherwise, Gusplanet enjoyed in this way with a particular emotion. Touring the vineyards of the Midi-Pyrenees is feeling the 'Chianti Trail' local . From Toulouse can take routes that lead us to the vineyards of character, such as Gaillac around Albi, the Fronton south of Cahors Montauban or who, accompanied by tasty treats like truffles and red meat are taste in the restaurants of the capital of the Lot. The vineyards of 'Appellation d'origine contrôlée' those found in Cahors, Gaillac, Fronton, Madiran, Marcillac, all date back to antiquity. delimiters 'Superior Quality' find them in Côtes de St Mont, Côtes de Brulhois, Entraygues wines and Fel, Estaing wines and "Côtes de Millau 'to complete the called' Vins de Pays' 'Côtes du Tarn' wines 'Comté Tolosan', 'Côtes de Gascogne', etc.
- Route Bastidas and charming villages : over a thousand years of religious architecture and urban, represented by some of the most beautiful abbeys in southwestern France. As evidenced by the Abbey of Saint-Pierre ( founded in the seventh century ) in the beautiful village of Moissac. In 'Midi-Pyrenees' find a vast list of 'most beautiful villages of France' , as testimony in paragraphs above.
- Circuit 'Road to Santiago' : As everyone knows, these fantastic roads, registered in the list of Heritage Site by Unesco , crossing some of the most beautiful regions of Western Europe witnessing to the life of these peoples through a thousand years of pilgrims. The three roads that pass through Midi-Pyrenees are the 'Camino du Puy' (Via Podendis ), The 'Way of Arles (Via Tolosana ), and the' Pyrenean Piedmont Road. "
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Finally, a route that I particularly recommend is the one that leads to the fabulous 'Castles of the Dordogne and the Perigord Noir' : dozens of great towns and castles, surrounding the river Dordogne and have been raised during the 'War Hundred Years' rivaling the kingdoms of France and England at the time (XIV and XV). The "valley of the Dordogne ' is one of the circuits necessary to perform, with some of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Europe, with the possibility of crossing centuries of history through the calm waters of the river Dordogne passing through the region.
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Quelques Notes: Dear friends, I am making several changes to the 'gusplanet'. Basically we have left to call 'gusplanet.blogspot.com', with the new generic 'gusplanet.net' . In addition to I've been with my PC repair (yes, yes, like everyone else!), the undertaking on these changes gradually. Like all 'amateur' in this Internet, I learn 'on the road' and reading from the experience of other friends. Thanks a lot, as always, for your eternal patience and understanding!
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