Occitanie is a vast region in southern France stretching from the Atlantic Pyrenees to the Mediterranean coast, encompassing the historic cities of Toulouse, Montpellier, Carcassonne, and Nîmes. It blends medieval heritage, Roman ruins, UNESCO World Heritage sites, sandy beaches, and the soaring Pyrenees mountains into one of France's most diverse travel destinations. The region is also France's leading wine producer and home to world-famous culinary traditions including cassoulet and Roquefort cheese.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Occitanie through its food.
Toulouse Market and Duck Country Tour
Explore the magnificent Marché Victor Hugo covered market with a local food guide, tasting exceptional Gascon produce — foie gras, saucisse de Toulouse, farm cheeses, and Armagnac — before visiting two neighbourhood restaurants for a full cassoulet lunch experience.
Includes: Victor Hugo Market with local guide · Foie gras and Gascon charcuterie tasting · Cassoulet lunch with Côtes du Frontonnais wine · Violet confection tasting
Cassoulet Trail — Castelnaudary
A guided tour to Castelnaudary — World Capital of Cassoulet — visiting the town's market, the famous Grande Maîtrise de Cassoulet association, a traditional charcuterie producer, and a landmark restaurant for the definitive cassoulet de Castelnaudary lunch.
Includes: Castelnaudary market · Maison Escudier cassoulet producer · Lunch at Le Puits Saint-Jacques (Michelin starred)
Corbières and Minervois Wine Exploration
A guided wine tasting tour through the dramatic Corbières hills and Minervois wine country of the Aude, visiting three estate domaines for cellar tours and tastings, with a lunch featuring local charcuterie and cheese paired with regional AOC wines. Passing through Lagrasse abbey and Minerve village.
Includes: Château de Lastours domaine · Minervois wine country tasting · Corbières estate cellar tour · Village of Minerve lunch stop
Montpellier Gourmet Old Town Walk
A curated walk through Montpellier's historic Écusson quarter stopping at an artisan bakery, a cave à manger (wine-bar), a Languedoc olive oil specialist, and finishing at the Halles Laissac market — tasting Languedoc wines, artisan cheeses, local honey, and seasonal produce throughout.
Includes: Artisan bakery and pastry tasting · Natural Languedoc wine tasting · Cave à fromages cheese selection · Les Halles market visit
Étang de Thau Oyster and Mussel Boat Tour
Board a traditional boat from Mèze or Bouzigues on the Étang de Thau lagoon for a tour among the oyster and mussel racks, with a producer-led tasting of oysters, mussels, and clams harvested that morning, accompanied by local Picpoul de Pinet white wine.
Includes: Boat among the shellfish racks · Fresh shellfish straight from the water · Picpoul de Pinet wine pairing · Views of the lagoon and Mont Saint-Clair
Nîmes Roman City Food Tour
A food and history walking tour of Nîmes combining the Roman monuments with the city's culinary heritage — tasting brandade de morue (salt cod cream), local olive oils, Costières de Nîmes wines, and regional cheeses alongside stops at the market and historic brasseries.
Includes: Brandade de morue tasting (Nîmes specialty) · Costières de Nîmes wine tasting · Les Halles market tour · History of Roman food culture
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Occitanie's food scene.
Street food tours
Market food tours in Toulouse (Victor Hugo), Narbonne (Les Halles), and Montpellier offering tastings of regional charcuterie, cheese, foie gras, and local wines
Market tours
Guided market tours available at major covered markets in Toulouse, Narbonne, Albi, and Montpellier — typically 2 hours with a local guide and several tastings included
Restaurant tours
Multi-course Languedoc gastronomic dinners at top restaurants including Auberge du Vieux Puits (3 Michelin stars) and Le Jardin des Sens in Montpellier
Specialty tours
Wine tours through Corbières, Minervois, Pic Saint-Loup, and Roussillon; Roquefort cheese cave tours; Canal du Midi cycling food tours; Pyrenean mountain food culture walks
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Occitanie home with you.
Cassoulet Masterclass, Toulouse
Learn to make authentic cassoulet de Toulouse from scratch — selecting the right beans, confit de canard, and Toulouse sausage at the Victor Hugo market before cooking under the guidance of a Toulousain chef. Includes lunch of your creation with wine.
Languedoc Cooking Class, Montpellier
A hands-on class in a professional kitchen in Montpellier's Écusson teaching 3 Mediterranean-Languedoc dishes — brandade de morue, tian de légumes, and a Languedoc wine-braised recipe — with a focus on local seasonal produce and Hérault wines.
Catalan Cuisine Workshop, Perpignan
Explore Catalan cooking traditions with a local chef in Perpignan — learning to make pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), escudella, and a Catalan crème brûlée (crema catalana), finishing with a tasting of Banyuls and Rivesaltes wines.
Roquefort Tasting Masterclass
A guided comparative tasting of Roquefort cheeses from multiple producers (Société, Papillon, Carles) in the village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, with cave tours included and a lesson in the AOC production process. Paired with Sauternes and local Aveyron wines.
DIY self-guided food tour
Create your own Toulouse food tour following this self-guided route through the city's best food addresses — allow 4–5 hours for the full circuit
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1
Stop 1 (9AM): Boulangerie Arnaud (Rue de la Pomme) — fresh croissant and violet macaron for breakfast
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Stop 2 (9:30AM): Marché Victor Hugo — explore the covered market stalls; buy foie gras, saucisse de Toulouse, and local cheese
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Stop 3 (10:30AM): Les Caves de la Maréchale (Rue Jules Chalande) — sample Gaillac and Cahors wines by the glass
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Stop 4 (12PM): Le Genty Magre (Rue Genty Magre) — sit-down lunch of cassoulet with a glass of Côtes du Frontonnais
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Stop 5 (2:30PM): Maison de la Violette (Canal du Midi embankment) — tour the floating barge shop dedicated to Toulouse's violet confections
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Stop 6 (4PM): Un Singe en Hiver natural wine bar (Rue des Tourneurs) — afternoon glass of natural Languedoc wine and local cheese
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
The best cassoulet in Castelnaudary is at Le Puits Saint-Jacques — book at least 2 weeks ahead
Les Halles de Narbonne is the finest covered market in the region — visit on a Saturday morning for the widest selection and most atmosphere
Picpoul de Pinet is Occitanie's most underrated wine — a crisp, mineral white from vineyards beside the Étang de Thau, ideally paired with local oysters
Buy Roquefort directly from the producer caves in Roquefort-sur-Soulzon — the selection and freshness cannot be matched in supermarkets
Local cooperatives (cave coopérative) throughout Corbières, Minervois, and Fitou offer excellent wines at farm-gate prices — often the best value wine buying in France
The Marché Victor Hugo in Toulouse closes at 1:30PM sharp — arrive before 11AM for the best selection and atmosphere