The Occitanie excellent products picnic is back for an 8th edition 45 minutes from Toulouse! This year, the gourmet and friendly event will take place at the threshold of Naurouze on September 15, 2024. On the program: local gastronomy, moments of sharing and entertainment of all kinds!
A unique taste event
Organized by the Regional Institute of Agri-Food Quality of Occitanie (IRQUALIM) and the Qualivores, the event is part of what the club offers throughout the year: events around good eating during which producers share their know-how. Every year, good epicureans are invited to come and taste products under the Quality and Origin Identification Signs (Label Rouge, AOC, AOP, IGP and Organic) which highlight local gastronomy during a picnic.
For the 2024 edition, it takes place in a space that highlights the diversity of Occitania: the seuil de Naurouze, a key site of the Canal du Midi, on the border of Haute-Garonne and Aude. The tree-filled place promises an countryside setting that is ideal for the gourmet break that takes place from 11:30 a.m.
A basket 1 00% Occitanie
In the shade of a tree or on a gingham tablecloth, participants are invited to enjoy a picnic made up of tasty local products, responsible and of quality! On the menu, you will find:
- A welcome aperitif or an organic fruit juice accompanied by Lucques du Languedoc AOP and walnut kernels from Périgord AOP.
- Salted meats: Noir de Bigorre AOP petals, IGP Lacaune sausage.
- Meats (Label Rouge, IGP): a plate composed of Aubrac farm beef, farm lamb from Pays d’Oc, veal from Aveyron and Ségala, veal raised under the mother, farm chicken from Gers. It will be accompanied by an aligot made with fresh tome from Aubrac.
- Cheeses (PDO, PGI): a plate of Bleu des Causses, Laguiole, Pélardon, Rocamadour, Roquefort and Tomme des Pyrénées.
- Fruits and vegetables (PDO, PGI, Label Rouge): Quercy melons, Chasselas from Moissac, Lomagne white garlic confit and Lautrec pink garlic soup.
- Sweets: Périgord AOP walnut tartlet.
All accompanied by wines from Pays d’Oc, the South-West and Languedoc.
The basket reservation is mandatory and is done online from August 20. On D-Day, participants will receive a complete picnic kit with a tote bag, headgear, plates, biodegradable cutlery, two eco-cups and tickets to collect the products from the producers who are on site.
Many activities to share
In addition to enjoying a generous and tasty meal, consumers engage in various activities. Young and old alike enjoy musical entertainment as well as a guided tour of the Seuil de Naurouze with explanations about the Canal du Midi and the work of Pierre Paul Riquet. Les Voies Navigables de France, the Castelnaudary Tourist Office, the Montferrand town hall and the Montferrand Heritage and Culture Association, partners of this event, are helping to highlight this site full of history. The youngest ones let off steam in wooden games, get their faces painted or even start a game of Snakes and Ladders!
A solidarity event
The picnic, in addition to being eco-responsible, supports an important cause: that of the Canal du Midi replanting project. For each basket sold, 2 euros are donated to VNF Patronage Mission. Threatened by an incurable disease, colored canker, donations aim to help with the preservation and reconstruction of the river heritage landscape.
Partners of this event
- Voies Navigables de France
- Castelnaudary Tourist Office
- Montferrand Town Hall and Heritage and Culture Association
- Occitanie Region
- Occitanie Quality Labeled Sectors