Things to see and do Midi-Pyrénées

Established under the Terror in the former Jacobin convent, the Auch museum is one of the oldest in France. Spread over three levels, it holds more than 20,000 objects. The Museum of the Americas is the second largest collection of pre-Columbian art after the Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac Museum in Paris. This collection started thanks to the interest of a certain Guillaume Pujols, an Auscitain exiled in South America with a passion for archaeology. He brought back about a hundred pieces from his travels. When he became curator of the Auch museum in 1911, he decided to exhibit them to the public. He bequeathed to the museum his magnificent pre-Hispanic collections from Peru and Mexico and Latin American sacred art. Don't miss the Mass of Saint Gregory, a painting made with feathers in Mexico City in 1539. The museum's second collection features works that span the period from antiquity to the Middle Ages. The works from Ancient Egypt come from a bequest by Charles Palanque. Also of note is a monumental statue of the Emperor Trajan and a superb 11th century carved ivory oliphant. The museum does not forget local history with the arts and popular traditions of Gascony, nor the fine arts. The museum's collection comes from the collection of works of art found in State buildings and the homes of emigrants in the Gers. But perhaps the most attractive paintings are those of the Italian painter Mario Cavaglieri, who captured the soul and light of the region.

If La Roque-sur-Cèze, half an hour by car from Bagnols, is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the region, it is not for nothing. Perched at the top of a hill, this small medieval village with steep alleys and breathtaking views will delight the lovers of old stones and authenticity with its typical houses of seemingly bisdious stone and glued to one another in a somewhat anarchic but highly atypical way. Walking around is a real pleasure, especially since even during the high season the hamlet is relatively calm and little frequented. Below, the Cèze runs its meanders between huge flat and white rocks where it makes it good to take the sun, relax or even picnic. Here, the river is also known for its famous "marmites", portions of the Cèze surrounded by the rocks. However, there are marmites where it is strictly forbidden to bathe because water makes it a siphon effect and may lead to bathers in the bottom. However, be reassured: The marmites do not cover the entire length of the river, and it persists in many places where swimming is possible, or canoeing. In any case, between typical alleys of flowered geraniums and refreshing river, La Roque -sur-Cèze is a real jewel combining charm and history, and it would be a shame to miss it if you walk around!

The Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt is a tourist attraction located in the commune of Ille-sur-Têt, in the Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They are fairy chimneys formed by the erosion of four-million-year-old sedimentary rock. The site is managed by the Ille-sur-Têt town council and is considered an exceptional heritage site. The sand and clay cliffs have been sculpted by weathering, giving the rock a rugged, almost lunar appearance. Access to the site is subject to regulations and an entrance fee is charged. The Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt have been listed since 1981 and are protected as a natural monument and picturesque site.