Toulouse is cut into two halves by the Garonne, which meanders into the famous Canal du Midi. The city dates back to the Iron Age, when it was a key trading post between settlements in the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Now the bustling capital of southern France’s Occitanie region, its narrow, historic streets and the University of Toulouse’s prestigious grounds provide hours of rewarding wanderings through the city.

Pale pink churches, charming townhouses and peach-tinted shop fronts are scattered across La Ville Rose, while the elegant Basilica of Saint-Sernin sits at its heart. This is the biggest Romanesque structure in Europe and is more than worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage status. Pilgrims used to stop off here on their way to Spain’s holy Santiago de Compostela.

It wouldn’t be a visit to one of France’s main foodie centres without enjoying some hearty French cuisine. Cassoulet (bean and pork stew), foie gras, saucisse de Toulouse (pork sausages) and garbure (cabbage and chicken soup) are the key players in Toulouse’s traditional menus. Chase dinner with some culture. Seek out Toulouse’s buzzing live music scene, or for something more high-brow, enjoy the Orchestre National du Capitole at the celebrated Théâtre du Capitole.

Toulouse is a portal to the snow-capped Pyrenees mountains. Leave the city behind and drive up into the peaks, which stretch for more than 430km along the Spanish border. Hikers can unearth dramatic walking routes that circumnavigate glassy lakes and tumbling waterfalls. For something more energetic, sweep down the slopes of the popular Superbagnères, Peyragudes or Mourtis ski resorts, all within two hours’ drive from Toulouse.

While Toulouse certainly has its fair share of culture, budding historians will enjoy the stone-clad citadel of Carcassonne, a 90-minute drive from Toulouse. At the heart of the Languedoc region, it’s a spectacular medieval fairy-tale town that’s steeped in old-world charm.

Car rental in Toulouse provides easy access to the beautiful bays that skim the south east coast. The sleepy enclaves of Argelès-sur-Mer and harbourside Sète are both approximately two hours drive from Toulouse, with endless private beaches and coves awaiting discovery further afield.

From soaring peaks to sparkling Mediterranean shores, traverse the South of France’s most arresting landscapes when you rent a car with Avis in Toulouse.