One of France’s southernmost regions has breathtaking landscapes, traditional quaint towns and stretches of Mediterranean beaches with way less tourists than the capital city Paris.
Occitanie is the second largest region by land in France making it one of few parts of the country to have it all – it’s no wonder that Telegraph Travel crowned it the number one best place to visit.
Those seeking a relaxing seaside break can explore the shores of the Mediterranean coast, while keen explorers can hike around the mountains with the Pyrenees offering a stunning backdrop.
The region is also home to two big metropolises – Toulouse and Montpellier. Despite the cities being a bustling hub for many bars, restaurants and activities, the historic buildings and French markets retain its local feel.
Between the beaches and the towns, Occitanie has vast countryside, endlessly rolling out picturesque scenery, pretty villages and protected natural landscapes.
Spanning 72,724km² in size, Occitanie holds a population of 5,933,185 residents. Due to its sheer amount of space, visitors will never feel overcrowded in the region with a population density of 81.58 people per square kilometre.
Unsurprisingly Île-de-France has the largest population of 12,262,544 with a density of 1,020.94 people per square kilometre. Being home to Paris, the country’s capital, it is not only a key hub for residents to both live and work in, it attracts a staggering 50 million tourists annually too.
Occitanie, however, is six times larger than its northern counterpart, yet attracts less tourists with just 30 million holidaymakers travelling to the region each year.
The second best region to visit, goes to Normandy. Nestled in northern France, its varied coastline includes vast white cliffs and WWII beachheads, including Omaha Beach, the site of the famous D-Day landing. Brimming with cultural and historic significance, it offers a range of activities.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alps follows closely in third place for its thrilling outdoor excursions and exceptional gastronomy.
While Hauts-de-France and Centre-Val de Loire have made the top five spots for best French regions too, Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur and Île-de-France, home to France’s capital, are placed further down the list in 8th and 12th place.
