Occitania, Historical region in southern France.
Occitania is a historical region in southern France that stretches from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees, encompassing vineyards, river plains, coastal beaches, and mountain villages. The landscape shifts from the sandy shores near Sète through the green hills of the Tarn to the rocky high ground close to the Spanish border.
This region developed as its own center during the Middle Ages with a language distinct from northern French. During the 13th century, the Albigensian Crusade led to the incorporation of the area into the Kingdom of France and brought deep changes to its political structure.
Local tradition refers to this area as *país d'òc*, a name based on the word *òc* used during medieval times to say yes in everyday speech. This linguistic root shaped place names, folk songs, and regional festivals that travelers encounter throughout the territory today.
Travelers often move between larger cities and smaller towns, with regional trains and buses helping reach rural areas. The summer months draw more visitors to the coast, while inland areas remain quieter throughout the year.
Many inland villages still have old stone washhouses that were once used by residents for daily laundry. These small buildings often feature roofs of terracotta tiles and show how life was organized before modern water supply.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
