Contemporary art, music, theater but also farmers’ markets and large convivial tables in the vineyards, Occitania is revealed to those who like to mix gastronomy, heritage and culture. Here are the highlights not to be missed this summer in Gers, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne and Haute-Garonne.
The VineArt festival in the Gers
From June 25 to August 27, 2022, Côtes de Gascogne winegrowers open the doors of their estates for the VineArt festival. The event invites the public to discover the domains of Gascony winegrowers for art and wine encounters. On the program, cellar visits and tastings of course. But not only. The winegrowers also offer walks in the vineyards, exhibitions (photos, sculptures, paintings, etc.) and shows. Thus, the Le Verger association and the Tarabiscote company will perform at the winegrowers’: acrobatics, aerial performances, fire-eaters and colorful characters will be there. Another novelty, high-flying equestrian shows will be staged by the Equivolt company. Dance will also be in the spotlight this year thanks to the choreographer Michèle Dhallu who will offer a show mixing hip-hop and jazz and contemporary dance. It is also possible to discover the vineyard in a fun way all year round, by bike or electric scooter, with Escape Games, gourmet workshops.
Gourmet getaways in the Tarn
In the Tarn, it is around the pleasures of the mouth that tourists will find themselves. And the gastronomic events are numerous. The Gaillac Wine Festival will take place from August 4 to 7, 2022. On the program, aperitif concerts, entertainment for children and meetings with winegrowers. Also not to be missed are the aperitif concerts at a winegrower’s. Indeed, every summer, the Gaillacois winegrowers organize aperitif concerts on their estates with tastings of the producers’ wines, and large convivial tables in an idyllic setting, often in the middle of the vineyards. The department is also full of guinguettes and gourmet markets to discover. Other unmissable events: the Tarnivores Festival, July 1 and 2, in Albi and the Lautrec Rose Garlic Festival, which takes place in Lautrec, a remarkable city of taste, the first weekend of August.
A great hike in Haute-Garonne
With 6 GR and 600 kilometers of marked trails, the Haute-Garonne has great moments in store for those who wish to combine discovery of the department with walking. For all levels, with family or friends, our territories are full of marked trails to take a deep breath of fresh air, both in the countryside near Toulouse and a little further on the hillsides of Lauragais or Volvestre, without forgetting of course the Pyrenees with its large preserved spaces. A new free topo guide presents a selection of 20 secret hikes classified by theme (heritage, Santiago de Compostela, mountain, nature, etc.) to get off the beaten track. For lovers of fauna and flora, some circuits are specialized such as the entomological route of Gratens. And as a nature outing must always be well prepared, the Haute-Garonne hiker’s charter is there to help you! Find all the hikes on the dedicated site.
