Lauragais

Lauragais is a region in Occitania that spans several departments and features rolling hills, agricultural plains, and the Canal du Midi. The territory includes forests, waterways, and towns like Castelnaudary and Villefranche connected by walking paths.

The territory became an important administrative area in the 11th century and was reorganized following the French Revolution in 1789. This shift shaped the current structure and borders of the different departments.

Local farmers grow dried beans known as lingots de Lauragais, a key ingredient in the traditional preparation of cassoulet. This crop remains central to how people here connect food to their land and heritage.

The region is best explored on foot or by bike, with many well-marked paths through forests and along the canal. Visitors should allow time to explore the scattered villages and smaller settlements connected by these routes.

The territory earned the name 'Pays de Cocagne' from extensive woad cultivation, a plant used to produce blue dye in medieval times. This historical trade brought prosperity to the region and left marks on its development for centuries.