From Toulouse to Limoges: the nature and wonders of the great Southwest

Nestled in the striking Berbie palace, the Toulouse-Lautrec museum has the largest collection in the world of the eponymous artist's masterpieces. A native of Albi, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is associated with the world of Montmartre, from the Moulin de la Galette to the Moulin Rouge. Yet the majority of his paintings, lithographs, drawings, and preparatory studies are located in Albi, including a remarkable set of 31 posters.

Some claim that the red bricks of the Sainte-Cécile cathedral can be seen from Rome! Built in the thirteenth century to restore Catholic authority in the region, the cathedral remains a mixture of finesse and power. Adorned in the same manner, the entire city dons its red hues above the emerald waters of the Tarn. Albi is a two-color rainbow city.

As the emblem of the city, the Valentré bridge is a real masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Its three fortified towers still dominate the Lot River, old alleys and tall houses. The medieval city was patiently restored, offering a visit back in time. At night, it's easy to imagine knights emerging from secret passages. Unless it's the excellent wine being served in the taverns of the old city.

Georges Vigouroux has restored the prestige of Château de Mercuès' vineyards. Today, the superb Malbec is one of the jewels among Cahors wines, honoured in many competitions. His son, Bertrand Gabriel, a trained wine grower and oenologist, presents the latest vintages in the cellar located under the estate's gardens.

The department of Lot offers exceptional opportunities for fishing enthusiasts! Nearly 2,000 km of preserved streams, rivers, lakes and ponds, offering infinite possibilities. In the Dordogne, fly fishing is practiced while wearing boots in the water. Various methods are offered to teach or improve on all fishing techniques.

Rocamadour is known to many primarily as a goat cheese, and not the village from which it comes. Served with a bit of walnut or hazelnut oil and a few truffle slivers, this raw milk cabécou is without compare. As well, for over 25 years, the eponymous village has been holding a festival for its cheese on the Pentecost weekend.

Going to Sarlat is really making two trips: the first to the Middle Ages, the second to the heart of the truffle world. In December, two markets, one reserved for professionals, and the other for the general public, line up stalls in which the 'black diamonds' compete. It is followed by the Truffle Festival in January. You'll appreciate the capital of the Périgord noir for its atmosphere, history, heritage and revival, marked by the creations of architect Jean Nouvel.

In Auriac, an authentic Corrézien village, recharge your batteries and relax in contemporary gardens. Since 2007, Bernard Mas and landscape architects have been designing the gardens with various species, delicate and rare, with respect for nature. A set of intimate enclosures with varied atmospheres invites you to a sensory escape combining beauty and culture. Stroll along escapades inspired by the world of cosmetics and aesthetics.

Masters in porcelain for more than 150 years, the Bernardaud factory offers real interactive tours of its workshops. Here, you will discover the different stages of the manufacturing process, from the raw material to the finished product. Visitors are encouraged by the guide to touch the material in order to better appreciate the complexity and luxuriousness of the porcelain. At the end of the tour, beautiful collections are exhibited that allow visitors to discover the company's emblematic and contemporary creations.

Cutting the leather, stitching the upper, shaping the sole, assembling all the parts... it's difficult to imagine all the steps necessary to make a pair of exceptional shoes. By walking around the workshops of J.M. Weston, a company founded in 1891, visitors will discover all the facets of the art of leather crafting and boot making. As excellence is synonymous with patience, it takes about two months to make a pair of Westons.

After significant renovation and expansion works, the Adrien Dubouché National Museum reopened its doors in 2012. Created in 1845, it remains the largest public collection of porcelain from Limoges, with 12,000 porcelain and earthenware pieces! As such, the route will take you on a real journey through the history of ceramics. From the artisans of antiquity to contemporary artists, it provides an absolutely incredible overview of the world of ceramics.