The Location of the Region of Midi-Pyrénées
The region of Midi-Pyrénées is composed of 8 départements:  Ariège, Aveyron, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Lot, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne.  It is located in the south of France with its capital at Toulouse.  The Pyrénées are distributed along its southern part, which is adjacent to Spain, and cover much of the départements of Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne and Ariège.  Forests abound in the mountains, and considerable agriculture is found elsewhere.  The regions of Auvergne and Limousin are to its north.  Aquitaine is to the west and Languedoc-Roussillon is to the east.   
 

Today, Midi-Pyrénées is sparsely populated.  During the hundred years, prior to the 1950s, the region’s population declined more than 30 percent.  Since the 1950s, its growth has been on a par with the part of rural France that is outside the region of Ile-de-France.  Following the Algerian war, the area has witnessed in influx of émigrés from northern Africa. 

 

Part of the Basque lands are found in Midi-Pyrénées’ départements of Gers, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Tarn-et-Garonne and Ariège.  The region of Midi-Pyrénées also encompasses part of the historical province of Gascony.

The History of Midi-Pyrénées
At one time, under the Romans, the area called Midi-Pyrénées was included in the governmental unit of Aquitania.  Partly because its population was more Iberian than Celtic, it was subsequently separated from Aquitania to form the Roman province of Novempopulana. 

Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area, which covers the modern day region of Midi-Pyrénées, was taken by the Visigoths.  The Franks subsequently conquered this area in 507, following the battle of Vouillé.  In 561, the Basques seized the area, but in 602 it was again taken by the Franks and was made into the Duchy of Gascony.

The Geography of Midi-Pyrénées
 

The Languages of Midi-Pyrénées
 

The Gastronomy of Midi-Pyrénées

• The Cheese

• The Cuisine

• The Wine
   

The Economic Activity of Midi-Pyrénées

• The Agriculture

• The Industry

The Duchy of Gascony

During the last half of the 7th century, the duke of Gascony extended his power over neighboring lands.  By the latter half of the 10th century, his successors dominated all of Gascony as well as Agenais [Agen], Bazadais and Bordeaux. 

The so-called ‘War of Succession’ broke out in 1032.  By 1052, Gascony had become the sphere of Guy-Geoffrey who, in 1058, became William VIII, duke of Aquitaine.  Concurrently, the duchy’s real power had been insidiously taken by the greater counts and viscounts.  These nobles, and their successors, dominated Gascony for centuries. 

Guyenne-et-Gascogne

During the 12th century, the ducal title to Aquitaine passed to the kings of England.  Aquitaine, together with Gascony, remained in their power throughout the period known as the ‘Hundred Years' War’.  The war ended in the reconquest of the province of Aquitaine by the French king Charles VII.  Gascony was then merged, by the French crown, with Guyenne into the gouvernement of Guyenne-et-Gascogne.