Journey Through Occitanie (France) : 25 Fascinating landmarks and archaeological sites to Discover
Welcome to Occitanie (France) . Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we have a list of 25 top landmarks and archaeological sites you must see. Discover 25 hidden landmarks and archaeological sites gems to experience Occitanie (France) like a local. Get ready to be amazed by 25 incredible landmarks and archaeological sites that will leave a lasting impression.
Information about Occitanie (France)
Surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Pyrenees Mountains to the south and the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean Sea to the east, Occitani is filled with stunning natural bounties. While most of the region is dominated by vineyards, farmland and rural villages, the wild beauty of both Cevennes and the Pyrenees National Park is simply stunning. Hiking and climbing trails are available for visitors. History is also not far off in Occitanie; While the main cities of Toulouse and Montpellier are fun to explore, the real attractions are the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, the Roman ruins of Nîmes, the pilgrimage site of Lourdes and the charming ancient city of Albi.
A list of the best Landmarks and archaeological sites in Occitanie
Get ready to explore the ultimate landmarks and archaeological sites destinations in Occitanie (France) with our carefully crafted list of top-rated spots. We’ve done the research for you, scouring the reviews of countless visitors to bring you the most unforgettable experiences. Let us be your guide.
1- Hotel du Vieux-Raisin
Hotel du Vieux-Raisin – The Palace of Vieux Rizan, also known as the Palace of Meynier, dates back to 1518 and is considered one of the finest palaces of the era, as it was originally built for Maynier Berenger; Professor of Law and Lord of Canac and Galicia, and its architectural style was strongly influenced by the Italian Renaissance. Its construction was completed in 1547 by the civil writer Jean Brunet, and its architectural plans were decorated by the famous architect Nicolas Bachelier.
Place address: 36 Rue du Languedoc, 31000 Toulouse, France
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2- Cite de Carcassonne
Cite de Carcassonne – One of the most beautiful ancient castles located in the French city of Carcassonne. It is a fortified castle surrounded by double walls with a length of 3 km and includes about 52 towers. It was founded in Roman times. It has a unique architectural style, with prominent domes and colorful and ornate windows, in addition to the wonderful and strange lighting effects in it. This castle enjoys With a rich history of about 2500 years, where at the beginning of its history it was a Moroccan settlement, then in the third century AD the Romans decided to convert it into a fortified city.
Place address: Cité de Carcassonne, 1 Rue Viollet le Duc, 11000 Carcassonne, France
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3- Campo Santo
Campo Santo – The cemetery of the Monastery of “Saint Jean” or “Campo Santo” is located in the shadow of St. John’s Cathedral, and its construction dates back to the beginning of the fourteenth century, and it consisted of four corridors covered with a ceiling made of wood and attached to columns with carved capitals, and today you can enjoy the view of the long rows of Gothic arcades of white marble adorn the perimeter, and at the bottom of the cloister you can find the contemporary window-lit funeral chapel that matches medieval architecture.
Place address: 6 Rue Amiral Ribeil, 66000 Perpignan, France
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4- Salses Fortress
Salses Fortress – Sales Castle was built between 1497 and 1504 by the Spaniards to protect the northern province of Roussillon, which was finally occupied by France in 1642. Behind its defensive walls, the castle is characterized by a maze of corridors and corridors. Walk around to discover its rich history and admire its unique red brick building.
Place address: 66600 Salses-le-Château, France
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5- Montpellier Cathedral
Montpellier Cathedral – Located in the heart of the city of Montpellier in southern France, Montpellier Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral that was commissioned by Pope Urban V in 1364, and converted into a cathedral in 1536 when the archbishop was moved from Maguilon to Montpellier. One of the wonderful tourist places in the city, if you are near, do not miss visiting it.
Place address: Rue Saint-Pierre, 34000 Montpellier, France
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6- Basilique Saint Nazaire
Basilique Saint Nazaire – One of the oldest churches in the French city of Carcassonne, which dates back to the twelfth century. It is a very beautiful church designed in the Gothic architectural style. It was characterized by distinctive structural forms and new expressionism in terms of prominent arches, fan contracts, flying buttresses, stained glass windows, sculptures distributed throughout the place, and more. What distinguishes the church’s architecture is the presence of a vibrant rose window adorning its facade.
Place address: Basilique Saint Nazaire, La Cité, Place Saint-Nazaire, 11000 Carcassonne, France
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7- Saint Roch Church
Saint Roch Church – Saint Roch Church is located in the heart of the French city of Montpellier. It was built in the nineteenth century in the neo-Gothic style. The people of Montpellier have been honoring Saint Roch since the end of the Middle Ages. Tourists visit this church to get to know it and contemplate its beautiful architecture and details, in addition to taking memorial photos. If you are near, do not miss visiting it.
Place address: 4 Rue Vallat, 34000 Montpellier, France
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8- Saint-Jacques Church
Saint-Jacques Church – The Church of St. Jacques was the first church built to keep pace with the urban expansion in the city of Perpignan in the thirteenth century, and it has a typical architecture of southern Gothic, and it has one nave surrounded by side chapels, and in 1699, the Church of La Sanche was built west of the Church of St. Jacques for Brotherhood of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ”, and during the Second Empire the wall separating the two buildings was destroyed and fused together, and the bell tower was rebuilt around 1850.
Place address: Carrer de la Miranda, 66000 Perpignan, France
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9- Carcassonne Cathedral
Carcassonne Cathedral – This cathedral is considered one of the most important and prominent archaeological and historical monuments in the city of Carcassonne in France, as it is considered the main Catholic cathedral of the city, which dates back to the thirteenth century, and the cathedral has a very beautiful architectural style that looks like a castle and is an example of the French style and distinct Gothic architecture in the Middle Ages, which is characterized by With pointed arches, steep roofs, and cross-ribbed vaults.
Place address: Carcassonne Cathedral, 52 Rue Voltaire, 11000 Carcassonne, France
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10- Basilica of Our Lady of the Daurade
Basilica of Our Lady of the Daurade – Located on the banks of the Garonne, the Basilica of Our Lady of Dorade, home to the Black Virgin adorned in her most beautiful dresses signed by Christian Lacroix, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and other great designers, was built in the 5th century on the ruins of an ancient temple It is characterized by its mosaic decorations filled with golden leaf shapes, and inside it includes a group of huge paintings that reflect the life cycle of the Virgin Mary.
Place address: 1 Place de la Daurade, 31000 Toulouse, France
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11- Hotel of Assezat
Hotel of Assezat – The Palace of Acizat is considered the most beautiful palace in Toulouse. It is a masterpiece of Renaissance art. It houses the Georges Bimberg Foundation, which takes visitors on a real journey into the past. It is an art museum. Its tour includes a visit to the Venetian Hall, the Louis XVI room, the Fauve room, and the Impressionists room. and others. Set up by Argentine philanthropist Georges Bemberg, the foundation offers a glimpse into Western art from the end of the Middle Ages to the 20th century through collections displayed in old-fashioned rooms filled with period furniture.
Place address: Place d’Assezat, 31000 Toulouse, France
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12- Maison Carrée
Maison Carrée – The Maison Carré, or the square house, is an ancient Roman temple located in Nîmes, in southern France. This temple is one of the best preserved temples in the world! It was built mainly for the descendants of Emperor Augustus, and with the passage of time it went through many changes, so it was a church, a museum, and a house. Nowadays, there is a short video clip explaining and illustrating the history of the city of Nimes.
Place address: Pl. de la Maison Carrée, 30000 Nîmes, France
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13- Temple of Diana
Temple of Diana – The Temple of Diana is a Roman site and the reason for its construction remains a mystery. Some believe it was originally built sometime in the reign of Augustus, others say in the second century, and it has been suggested that it may have been a library. Whatever its original function, this stunning site boasts well-preserved vaulted ceilings, grand archways, and attractive passages; When you are in the city, you must visit it.
Place address: Quai Georges Clemenceau, 30000 Nîmes, France
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14- Perpignan Cathedral
Perpignan Cathedral – The construction of Perpignan Cathedral began in 1324 by King Sancho of Majorca, and ended later in the fifteenth century. It was designed in the Catalan Gothic style due to its association with the Kingdom of Majorca, and it has a wide nave measuring 80 meters in length, 18 meters in width, and 26 meters in height. Made of seven intersecting vaults, the façade also features a portico and a clock tower dating back to the 18th century.
Place address: 1 Rue de l’Horloge, 66000 Perpignan, France
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15- La Funeraria Chapel
La Funeraria Chapel – The Funerary Chapel or Chapel of Funeraria, dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, was built at the end of the fourteenth century and decorated with contemporary glass by the American artist Shirley Jaffé. It is listed as a historical monument in the city of Perpignan.
Place address: Rue Amiral Ribeil, 66000 Perpignan, France
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16- Le Castillet
Le Castillet – Le Castelier is considered the emblem of Perpignan, as it forms the ancient city gate, and is characterized by its structure built of red brick and marble from Bexas, which belongs to the Aragonese period, and it was built in 1368, then Louis XI (Louis XI) provided it with a porch and a tower of bricks The red one is topped with a dome. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the building became a prison and currently houses the Joseph Deloncel Museum of the History of Northern Catalonia.
Place address: Place de Verdun, 66000 Perpignan, France
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17- Chapel of Saint-Joseph de la Grave
Chapel of Saint-Joseph de la Grave – The Church of Saint-Joseph de la Grave is the most photographed building in the city of Toulouse, as it is characterized by a huge dome that acts as a beacon for the residents of the city, and attracts attention both day and night. It was built during the eighteenth century on the bank of the Garonne River, and it was originally part of a hospital La Grave, built in 1197 to house plague victims, and later dedicated to Saint Joseph; The patron saint of carpenters, which highlighted the role it played during the seventeenth century in the time of imprisonment of the poor.
Place address: 31300 Toulouse, France
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18- Our Lady of Taur
Our Lady of Taur – Instantly recognizable thanks to its stunning bell tower wall overlooking the bustling rue des Tours, this majestic church is closely associated with the martyrdom of Saint Sernin; The first bishop of the city, at the hands of the Romans in the third century, when he was tied to a bull that was dragging him through the old city, and it is said that the church was built in the same place where the body of the saint was separated from the bull, hence the name.
Place address: 12 Rue du Taur, 31000 Toulouse, France
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19- Minimes Convent
Minimes Convent – Built in 1575 on part of the old Jewish quarter of Perpignan on the orders of St. François de Paule, the Monastery of Menem is a large two-storey brick monastery, in which military communion was established in the nineteenth century, and since its acquisition At the end of the twentieth century, both the monastery and its old church choir were restored, and today they can be visited and learn about their history.
Place address: 12 Rue Louis Bausil, 66000 Perpignan, France
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20- Hotel de Bernuy
Hotel de Bernuy – The luxurious Bernoy Palace is distinguished by its high tower, which is 26.5 meters high. It was built at the beginning of the sixteenth century by the architect and sculptor Louis Privat, and represents the entry of the city of Toulouse into Renaissance architecture, where businessman Jean de Bernoy invited (Jean de Bernuy) Hispanics famous craftsmen in the city to build this stunning palace around two inner courtyards, which since 1567 has housed the College and Lyceum of Pierre Fermat.
Place address: 1 Rue Léon Gambetta, 31000 Toulouse, France
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21- Castle of Flaugergues
Castle of Flaugergues – Vloggers Castle, a wonderful and unique place, combining history and picturesque nature, we advise you to visit the Vloggers Castle and enjoy the unique beautiful vineyards in the south of France. This castle from the eighteenth century will make you travel through time and space. A tour guide is available for each of the castle, vineyards, or garden throughout the week. It also owns a restaurant where you can eat delicious and varied meals in the middle of charming nature.
Place address: Castle of Flaugergues, 1744 Avenue Albert Einstein, 34000 Montpellier, France
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22- Palace of the Kings of Majorca
Palace of the Kings of Majorca – The Palace of the Kings of Majorca is a royal palace dating back to the Middle Ages and located in the heart of Perpignan, and for almost a century it was the center of the temporary Kingdom of Majorca, and its construction was completed after 1300 in the Gothic style, and its construction indicates Perpignan’s status as an economic, political and cultural center of the White Sea region The Mediterranean was in the Middle Ages, and since the sixteenth century, French and Spanish engineers surrounded it with walls to turn it into a castle.
Place address: Rue des Archers, 66000 Perpignan, France
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23- Corts Palace
Corts Palace – Built at the beginning of the 14th century during the reign of Sanç de Mallorca in the heart of the goldsmiths and silversmiths of Perpignan, the Palace of Corte housed the various courts of justice in Roussillon, then the Commercial Court occupied this beautiful Gothic monument from 1792 to 1925, and it has been restored since the seventies of the last century, and only the inn remains from it; It is an elegant Gothic gallery created by Rauli Valter; Architect of the Court of Guillem Sagrera.
Place address: 26 Rue de l’Argenterie, 66000 Perpignan, France
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24- House of Catalanity
House of Catalanity – The House of Catalans is a space dedicated to Catalan culture, consisting of a large building in the heart of Perpignan, a stone’s throw from Saint-Jacques, and is considered a model of Catalan life and Mediterranean architecture. Its current appearance dates back to the establishment of the parish school in the nineteenth century, and since 2003, This restored historical monument hosts a range of contemporary art exhibitions.
Place address: Place Joseph-Sébastien Pons, 66000 Perpignan, France
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25- Serrat d’en Vaquer Fort
Serrat d’en Vaquer Fort – Fort Sirat d’en Facquet is located southwest of Perpignan on the highest hill in the Roussillon plain. It was built in 1885 to protect Perpignan from any Spanish attack. It is the place where the union camp was organized during the conflicts between Spain and France in 1793, and was later converted. to a powder storehouse, the building has forty rooms, and today it is surrounded by a milking garden that offers exceptional panoramic views of the Roussillon plain from Albris to Corberis and from Canigou to the sea.
Place address: Avenue Charles Deperet, 66000 Perpignan, France
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Conclusion
We hope our guide has inspired you to explore the wonders of Occitanie (France) . Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in this amazing region. From stunning natural landscapes to rich cultural heritage, Occitanie (France) has it all. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Don’t forget to share your experiences with us and tag us on social media using #ExploreOccitanie (France) . We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!