Midi-Pyrénées, France
In the southwest of France is theregionthe Midi-Pyrénées. As the name suggests, it is a region in the Pyrenees and borders with Spain and Andorra. The west of the Midi-Pyrénées lies on the border with Aquitaine, the east is in direct proximity to Languedoc-Roussillon. The north of the region is bordered by Auvergne and Limousin.
Today’s Midi-Pyrenees region is made up of the departments of Ariege, Avevron, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Lot, Hautes-Pyrenees, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne. The total area of the area is 45,348 square kilometers on which around 2.8 million people live and work. The capital and the seat of the regional council of the region is Toulouse . Naming of the Midi-Pyrénées The Midi-Pyrénées got their name due to a new creation. It is made up of the word midi for midday or south, or as a commonly used term for southern France and the French word for Pyrenees, i.e. Pyrenees. So the name of the region is simply a designation of the location and landscape of the region. History of the Midi-Pyrénées Region The Midi-Pyrénées region did not exist in its present form until a few years ago. In principle, it is a completely redesigned area composition from different historical territories. In 1960, the region was created as a result of the establishment of the new program regions. The limits set back then are still valid today. Like the other regions, the Midi-Pyrénées is now allowed to appoint its own regional representatives by direct election. The powers and responsibilities vis-à-vis the self-government and the central government of France were gradually expanded.
Until 1789, the north of the region was part of the historic province of Aquitaine. The south-west of Midi-Pyrénées was part of Gascony, the south-east, including the city Touluse included in large part to the Languedoc. The southeast was formed from the county of Foix. The powerful rulers of southern France in the 12th century were all Counts of Toulouse. They ruled until the end of the Albigensian Wars, in which they suffered a crushing defeat and their epoch of power came to an end. The winners immediately set up their headquarters here.
Sights of the Midi-Pyrénées Region
In addition to the magnificent landscape of the region, there are also many monuments and historical buildings worth a visit. If you are planning a stay in the Midi-Pyrénées, you should not take the time for long walks through the green and lush landscapes, but also plan a few hours or maybe even days for the numerous objects worth seeing.
Among other things, the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world is a popular tourist destination. The bridge is a real crowd puller, especially in summer. No wonder, as the view is very impressive. The Musee de Augustins is an art museum in Toulouse and offers many impressive exhibits for all art lovers.
The Place du Capitole is the square of the town hall in Toulouse. The historic building with its spacious square is also a popular meeting place in summer.
The Gothic monastery church Church of Les Jacobins is known beyond the national borders of France for its magnificent facades and beautiful interior. Another Gothic cathedral is the Cathedrale Ste-Cecile in Albi.
The Pic du Midi is ideal for young and old. This is a mountain with an observatory on the top. The Grotte de Niaux is also well worth seeing. There are cave paintings from prehistory here in this cave. The Pyrenees National Park is the perfect way to end a visit to this region.
Toulouse in France
The airplane city of Toulouse is one cityin the south of France. It is located on the Garonne River and is about 590 kilometers from the French Capital city Paris. The side canals connect the city with the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Toulouse is the fourth largest city in the country and a popular international metropolis. It is located in theregion Midi-Pyrenees and is their capital.
The history of Toulouse
Tolose was the first name of the present-day city of Toulouse. Tolose was already an important city in the times of the Gauls. At that time, however, it was still 8 km south of Vieille-Toulouse. The Romans conquered in 106 BC. Christ some French regions and Toulouse was taken. The Roman occupiers named the city Tolosa. The Romans resettled the people and thus re-founded Tolosa in what is now the city center. Since the 4th century Toulouse was also a bishopric. The handwriting of the Romans can still be recognized in Toulouse today, as many of today’s streets still follow the layout of the Roman settlement at that time.
The Visigoths made Toulouse their capital. This she stayed from 419 to 507. Then the Frankish King Clovis I came and conquered Toulouse. The Arabs wanted to bend by more month siege of the city in 721, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The royal house of Aquitaine relocated its seat to Toulouse from 781 to 843.
Even in the Middle Ages Toulouse was one of the most important cities in France. It is believed that at the time, Toulouse was one of the richest cities in the country. In the Toulouse region, the plant grew on calcareous soil woad. This was used to dye textiles blue. The townspeople traded in the plant and many other goods. However, this market-determining position came to an abrupt end when the Portuguese arrived. These imported the much cheaper indigo and thus took the power of Toulouse. The city was sacked by the Crusades and then under the leadership of the French crown posed. Despite the fact that a predominantly Protestant population lived here, the city sided with the Roman Catholic Church during the wars of religion. Around 4,000 Huguenots were violently killed in 1562.
The proximity to the Garonne River has always posed a certain threat to the population. In June 1875 the river was flooded so severely that it overflowed its banks and claimed over 200 deaths. Thousands of Toulouse residents were made homeless overnight. After the First World War, the city benefited from the economic boom.
The city’s population today is very mixed. This is also due to the fact that around 25,000 Spaniards emigrated to Toulouse during the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. Towards the end of the Algerian War in 1962, about as many Algerians and Algerian-French came to the city. Economy in Toulouse Since 1980, Toulouse has received massive support as an aviation center. Today the city is one of the most important aviation locations in the world. Over 34,000 employees work in this area. As early as 1890, Clement laid Ader in Muret laid the foundation for today’s long tradition of aviation in Toulouse. At that time he was already building several motorized aircraft.
