Making tracks for the Cote d’Azur’s unspoilt neighbour

Flora Medford discovers the lesser-known Occitania region on a train journey costing less than the price of a cafe au lait

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On an early morning train, surrounded by locals clutching bags stuffed with towels, we hurtled towards the southern coast of France for a day at Narbonne Plage. Here, sprawling sandy shores fill with families from across the region, with enough space to settle in for the day.

Framed by the hazy outline of the Pyrenees, the train journey from Toulouse takes just an hour and a half and costs less than a cafe au lait.

In recent years, destinations along the neighbouring Cote d’Azur, such as Marseille, have enjoyed a resurgence among cosmopolitan crowds. Nonetheless, with this attention comes hiked prices, packed beaches and, inevitably, a watering down of authentic French culture.

Nestled between this famed coastline and the Spanish border is the lesser-known region of L’Occitanie, or Occitania.

Previously known as Languedoc-Roussillon, this swathe of France has so much to offer: ancient ruins, cultural centres, calm waterways, national parks and, more recently, affordable rail travel.

Regional train company liO launched its €1 (87p) deal several years ago and has since doubled the number of lines included.

It’s a real palate cleanser for anyone fed up with the rising cost of travel in the UK. With a growing appetite for sustainable, slow and affordable tourism, L’Occitanie makes the perfect location for a summer adventure. I first fell in love with the region after spending a summer in Montpellier brushing up on my French. This walkable city has an understated cosmopolitanism, balancing modern energy with deep historical roots.