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    10 gift ideas featuring Occitania produce

    When you visit a country or region it’s nice to take home a souvenir with you to remind you of the wonderful time you had exploring while you were there. Here are some suggestions of fine goods, pampering products and foodie treats that you can take home from Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean. They are all original and unique products with their very own history and heritage, and you won’t find them anywhere else! They also make perfect Christmas presents or Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day gifts, or perhaps something for a special birthday.


    Accessories

    1- A pair of gloves from Millau
    Millau, in the south of the Aveyron département, is France’s leather glove capital. Smart or sporty, Millau gloves have featured in many designer haute-couture collections and they are the gloves of choice of the stars, including the likes of Pierce Brosnan and Nicole Kidman.
    > Maison Causse Gantier - 5 boulevard des Gantières - Millau (Aveyron) - Tél. +33 (0)5 65 60 03 05 - www.causse-gantier.fr
    > Maison Fabre - 20 avenue Gambetta - Millau - Tél. +33 (0)5 65 60 58 24 - www.maisonfabre.com
    > Boutique T Corner - 20 rue St-Antoine-du-T - Toulouse - Tél. +33 (0)5 62 27 05 67.


    2- A natural horn comb from Ariège
    This traditional product of Ariège dates back to the 13th century! Each comb involves 17 manual operations and has its own unique finish, colour and lustre. The horn used to make the combs is rich in keratin, which protects the hair and helps to keep it looking beautiful.
    > Maison Azéma-Bigou - Campredon (Ariège) - Tél. +33 (0)5 61 01 11 09 - www.peigne-corne-azema-bigou.com
    > Droguerie Marty Roubichou - 41 rue du Languedoc - Toulouse - Tél. +33 (0)5 61 52 75 67.
     

    3- A Laguiole knife
    Steak knife, butter knife, bread knife, wine waiter’s knife, but also little spoons, a salt cellar and more besides… designed by Philippe Stark, Andrée Putman, Ora Ïto and Yannick Jauzion. Laguioles are highly sought-after!
    > Forge de Laguiole - Laguiole (Aveyron) - Tél. +33 (0)5 65 48 43 34 - www.forge-de-laguiole.com
    > For other knife-makers in Laguiole see www.laguiole.online.com
    > La galerie Laguiole  – 24 rue des Arts – Toulouse – Tél. +33 (0)5 61 23 51 37.

    Cosmetics and pamper products


    4- Woad body cream
    Woad is a plant whose history has been bound up with the history of Midi-Pyrénées since the 16th century. It has given rise to a whole range of products such as soaps, body milks, creams and oils with amazing properties that are today enjoying something of a revival, particularly in the cosmetics market.
    > Terre de pastel (museum, spa, restaurant, gift shop) - 629 rue Max Planck - Toulouse Labège (Haute-Garonne) - Tél. +33(0)5 62 88 36 79 - www.terredepastel.com
    > Graine de Pastel (boutique, institut) - 4 place Saint-Etienne - Toulouse - Tél. +33 (0)5 62 11 70 84 - http://grainedepastel.com
    > La Fleurée de Pastel (shop) - 20 rue de la Bourse - Toulouse - Tél. +33 (0)5 61 12 05 94 - www.bleu-de-lectoure.com
    > Bleu de pastel (workshop, gift shop) - Lectoure (Gers) - Tél +33 (0)5 62 68 78 30 -  www.bleu-de-lectoure.com
    > Violettes et Pastel (shop) - 10 rue Saint-Pantaléon - Toulouse - Tél. +33 (0)5 61 22 14 22 - www.violettesetpastels.fr
    > Also available from pharmacies in Toulouse and around the region.

    5- Donkey-milk soap from the Pyrenees
    Rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and oligo-elements, Pyrenean donkey milk is extremely good for you. In Midi-Pyrénées this quality raw material is turned into soaps, hand creams, facial milks and more, ...
    > Asinerie d'Embazac - L'Isle-Jourdain (Gers) - Tél. +33 (0)5 62 07 02 10 - www.embazac.com
    > Asinerie de la Gentilhommière - Ozon (Hautes-Pyrénées) - Tél. +33 (0)5 62 35 22 26 - www.ozoane.net
    > Asinerie de Feillet - Saint-Girons (Ariège) - Tél. +33 (0)5 61 04 65 91 - www.asinus.fr
    > Ferme de Randeyne - Le Monastère (Aveyron) - Tél. +33 (0)5 65 78 56 30 - www.aness.fr
    > Also available from pharmacies in Toulouse and around the region.

    Delicacies

    6- Violet tea from Toulouse
    The emblematic flower of Toulouse, the delicately and subtly fragranced viola tolosa is used to make a whole raft of delicious foods: sugar-candy flowers, tea, cordial, vinegar, honey and more… and not forgetting soaps and eaux de toilette.
    > Maison de la violette - Boulevard Bonrepos - Toulouse - Tél. +33 (0)5 61 99 01 30 - www.lamaisondelaviolette.com
    > Violettes et Pastel  - 10 rue Saint-Pantaléon - Toulouse - Tél. +33 (0)5 61 22 14 22 - www.violettesetpastels.fr


    7- Cauterets berlingots
    Since the 19th century these hard sugar sweets have been a speciality of the spa resort of Cauterets, and visitors can still watch berlingots being made at the various confectioners around the town. They are flavoured with natural fruit concentrates and essential oils.
    > Aux Délices - Place de la Mairie - Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées) - www.berlingots.com
    > A la Reine Margot - Avenue du Mamelon vert - Cauterets - Tél. +33 (0)5 62 92 58 67 - www.berlingots-cauterets.com











    Foodie treats


    • 8- Armagnac 
      Unique in France, prestigious and sophisticated: nothing sums up the region’s identity better than Armagnac, France’s .
      > Best purchased directly from the producer.
      > Also available from all good wine merchants and gourmet delicatessens in Toulouse and around the region.


    • 9- Wine
       Choose from the famous crus of the Cahors, Madiran and Gaillac AOPs, but also the fine wines grown in the sunny Gers and Quercy, and bring back a bit of the essence of Midi-Pyrénées with you - treat yourself or a friend.
      > Best purchased directly from the producer.
      > Also available from all good wine merchants and gourmet delicatessens in Toulouse and around the region.


    • 10- Foie gras
       Foie gras says it all about the Southwest’s reputation for not only fine food but fine living too. Goose or duck, en bloc or whole liver mi-cuit, in a glass jar or tin, foie gras is the symbol of a gastronomic excellence unique to Midi-Pyrénées.
      > Best purchased directly from the producer.
      > Also available at markets and specialist outlets and in gourmet delicatessens in Toulouse and around the region.
     
    Project co-financed by the European Union. Europe is partnering Midi-Pyrénées with the European Regional Development Fund.