Haute-Garonne, France travel guide
The Haute-Garonne department is in the Midi-Pyrenees region of southern France.
The region covers a diverse landscape, from the hilly regions to the north, bordering Gascony, to the mountainous Pyrenees and the Spanish border to the south of the department, with the UNESCO listed Canal du Midi passing through. Much of the department is also covered in forests.
It is this natural landscape that is the main attraction, with ample opportunities to enjoy exploring the environment, from hiking in the summer to skiing in the pyreneean mountains in winter.
North and central Haute-Garonne
The capital of the region, the very attractive and interesting red-brick town of Toulouse, is found to the north of the Haute-Garonne.
On the edge of Toulouse the Cite de l'Espace is a popular attraction based around the theme of space travel, including a 'real' rocket - a fitting tribute to the importance of Toulouse in france's space industry.
Two bastide towns deserving a mention in the Haute-Garonne department south of Toulouse are Carbonne and Cazeres, and also visit the listed villages at Rieux-Volvestre and Saint-Sulpice-sur-Lèze.
South Haute-Garonne
The southern part of the Haute-Garonne, in the mountains around Bagneres-de-Luchon, includes many high peaks: Cagire; Crabioules; Gar; Literole; Lézat; Maupas; Perdiguère; Royo; Spijeoles; Quayrat; Sauvegarde; Pic de la Mine.
There are several ski stations and well known spa towns here. The better known ski-stations are at Le Mourtis, Luchon-Superbagneres and Peyragudes, while thermal baths are found at Bagneres-de-Luchon, Barbazan and Salies-du-Salat.
(We have a related article about Pyrenees ski resorts.)
Rieux / Hospice de France above Bagneres-de-Luchon
Visit also St Bertrand de Comminges, a classified most beautiful village in this southern section. The important remains of the Roman villa at Montmaurin are also in the Comminges region of haute-Garonne and are now a listed National Monument open to the public - see Gallo-Roman villa of Montmaurin for details.
A sidetrip to Revel near the border with the Aude department is also a pleasant excursion.
Hikers will find that Hospice de France is a good starting point for many hikes in the Pyrenees near Bagneres.
Toulouse airport is a popular international arrival point in Haute-Garonne.
Visit Haute-Garonne - tourist information
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See a list of all Haute-Garonne communes
See also Haute-Garonne (version Francais)
