This is one of the most sprawling regions, bringing together eight departments (Lot, Aveyron, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Gers, the Hautes Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne and Ariège) and including one of the biggest French cities, Toulouse (which has 650,000 habitants). Sometimes called "the pink city", Toulouse is a regional metropolis, with its large university and science park (for electronics and biotechnology), as well as being the capital of aircraft construction.

Saint-Sernin Cathedral, Toulouse (Midi-Pyrénées)

Apart from Toulouse and the surrounding area, most of this region is largely rural and has few inhabitants. Agricultural output is, however, relatively modest (mainly meat and dairy products).

Banks of the Garonne, in Toulouse (Midi-Pyrénées region)

Textiles (this region is the second biggest wool producer in France), retailing and services are the principal economic activities.

Much of the scenery is superb, with high mountains, deep valleys, châteaux (some ruined and some in a pristine state of preservation) perched on rocky summits and abbeys nestling in the crannies of lush green valleys.