If you could use some quiet vacations but you don’t want to travel somewhere that’s completely secluded and remote, the Midi Pyrenees might be the perfect choice. This vast region in southern France is known for its superb natural scenes, as well as its fascinating urban locales. For anyone who wants a full-featured taste of France, this is one of the most sought after destinations.

Renting a car in the Midi Pyrenees

The best way to explore the Midi Pyrenees back to back is by renting a car and going on a self-drive tour. By doing so, you’ll get a chance to experience everything this region has to offer, without having to worry about how to move around between locations. This article will show you the best self-drive tours in the Midi Pyrenees, but first here’s a little information about France car hire.
Renting a car in France is by no means a complicated affair; but still, you might want to plan ahead to make sure your journey is enjoyable and uncomplicated. You are advised to book a car in advance, since it will likely be cheaper… not to mention it will be much more convenient. We recommend Any Car Hire to all our visitors, since it’s one of the friendliest and most reliable car rental services available in the Midi Pyrenees region.

Self-Drive routes in the Midi Pyrenees

1. Cultural Route through the Midi-Pyrenees

Travelers who are most interested in exploring the cultural offerings of France will find several points of interest, while visiting the Midi Pyrenees. There are several departments and cities in this region which are known for their unique cultural and artistic heritage; if you follow this self-drive route, you will get a chance to explore the most interesting landmarks in southwestern France in terms of architecture, culture and arts.
This tour begins and ends in Toulouse, since that’s by far the most interesting cultural hub, as well as one of the bigger cities in the region. You should set aside at least 2-3 days to explore the “Pink City”, since you’ll come across several museums, historical sites and monuments that are very much worthy of being visited.
When you’re ready to start the tour, find the road towards Rieux-Volvestre (35 miles) – this is a charming medieval town nestled on the edge of river Arize.  From there, drive another 35 miles until you find the lovely town of Foix: yet another medieval fortress, this one is perched in a rocky outcrop. This is just an appetizer though, because next you will head towards Carcassone (45 miles), which is only the largest medieval town in Europe.
From Carcassone, we recommend heading towards Albi (55 miles), where you’ll find some exquisite examples of the Southern Gothic architectonic style, including a very impressive cathedral. You might want to spend a whole day in either (or both) of these cities, in order to see as much as possible. While driving from Carcassone to Albi, you may want to stop half-way through to visit a picturesque little town called Castres. Having reached Albi, you’ll just have to drive about 50 miles to find your way back to Toulouse.

2. Wine Tasting Route through the Midi-Pyrenees

Since the Midi Pyrenees is a wine producing region by excellence, you will find a vast offering of wines and spirits of all kinds. By following this wine tasting route, you’ll taste some of the most prestigious wines of all France, while simultaneously getting to know the wonderful vineyards from which those unique drinks originate.
The leading departments in terms of wine production in this region are Gers, Lot and Tarn-et-Garonne.   You will start this self-drive in Gers, which is located in the heart of Gascony; in this area, you will get to taste such legendary wines as the Saint-Mont, Madiran, or the Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne.
From Gers, it’s 60 miles to Tarn-et-Garonne, where you should focus on the Gaillac area where you’ll find some of the most impressive wines in this tour.
The next stretch in this tour will take you from Tarn-et-Garonne to Lot; this is a 130 mile drive, which you may want to take leisurely to enjoy the unique sights offered by the expansive vineyards scattered throughout this area.

3. Natural Landscapes Route

If you’re visiting the Midi-Pyrenees because you’re most interested in its unique natural scenes and breathtaking countryside roads, this is the most recommendable route for you. A good place to start this journey is Albi; from there you should head towards Ambialet and the Tarn Valley, Sidobre, The Black Mountain, Pastel, The Saint-Ferréol Lake, Ariège Pyrenees Regional Natural Park, and Mas d'Azil cave.
You can drive between all these locations in a single day, but we recommend taking your time so you can leisurely enjoy all the scenic wonders in Southern France: from immense valleys to rugged mountains; beautiful lakes and expansive vineyards, there is much beauty in the Midi-Pyrenees waiting around every corner. From Mas d’Azil cave it’s a short drive to Toulouse, which is a good place to book the returning flight.

Final thoughts on self-drive routes through the Midi-Pyrenees

One of the worst things you could possibly do as a visitor to this unique region is rushing through from one place to the next. To get the most enjoyment of the Midi Pyrenees, you should find a well priced car hire, pace yourself and spend as much time as you want exploring each new site. To this effect, we recommend taking a tent with you… that way, you won’t have to run around every afternoon looking for the next hotel holiday rental to spend the night; quite often, you’ll come across wonderful camping sites that will seem quite appealing and inviting, so it’s better keep your options open and take your camping gear along for the ride.