In the Pays de Cocagne, 55km east of Toulouse, Manoir Des Prairies is set in a 32-hectare estate surrounded by meadows and woodland.
The nearest village, around 6km by car, has a small supermarket, boulangerie and weekly market whilst medieval Graulhet and Lavaur, both around a 15 to 20-minute drive away, have larger supermarkets and a wider range of amenities.
The Pays de Cocagne features landscapes of rolling hills dotted with medieval villages and historic houses and dovecotes. It’s most famous for its production of “pastel blue” dye, often referred to as ‘blue gold’ as it brought so much wealth to this region in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Beautiful places to visit include Lavaur (15km), in a pretty riverside setting with its fascinating Cathar heritage and atmospheric Saturday morning market. Take time to explore its picturesque centre and admire the Monastère Sainte Claire. A little further afield, Lautrec (19km) is known for its pink garlic (look out for the garlic festival in early August) and is also home to one of France’s oldest working windmills, dating back to the late 17th century.
The much-loved towns of the Golden Triangle of Tarn are also within easy reach. Start off in Albi, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the banks of the Tarn river, with its historic quarter, magnificent cathedral and charming shops and restaurants. Gaillac is well-known for its historic wine production dating back to Roman times – visit its vineyards or soak up the ambience of the bustling Friday morning market. Furthest away is idyllic Cordes-sur-Ciel, around an hour by car, a 12th century village which enjoys a stunning perched setting.
Castelnaudary (51km) is another attractive town to visit, especially if you are keen to see the Canal du Midi – there are some wonderful walks, cycle rides and boat excursions. If staying for lunch, try cassoulet, a regional speciality that originates from here.
A little closer to home is 14th century Revel (25km) with its fantastic Saturday morning market and close to the scenic Bassin de Saint-Ferréol where you will find summer swimming and watersports. Further afield, Bassin de Lampy is another superb spot in the foothills of the Black Mountains, an alluring region of lakes, forests, vineyards, historic castles and little villages.
Captivating Carcassonne is around a 90-minute drive away whilst the city of Toulouse, also called ‘La Ville Rose’, is yet another fascinating place to spend the day with its shops, restaurants, bars and beautiful architecture.
The Region
A relatively new addition to France, the Midi-Pyrénées was created to surround the cultural capital of Toulouse in the late 1970s. You might think that its relative youth would mean the Midi-Pyrénées is short on character or identity, but remember, this is France we’re talking about – the whole country is steeped in history and tradition.
Encompassing parts of Gascony, Languedoc, the Gers and several others, you’ll get a varied slice of the whole French experience here, not least if you stay at one of our beautiful chateaux in the Midi-Pyrénées!
