The A68 highway, christened the Route du Pastel, pays homage to the pastel plant, known as "l'or bleu" (the blue gold) of the region. Native to Central Asia, the pastel has been prized since ancient times not only for its medicinal properties, but also for the distinctive blue color obtained from its leaves. This unique color became a symbol of French royalty, dressing kings in its noble hue. At the time of the Renaissance, Occitania became the epicenter of pastel production, particularly in the area known as the Pays de Cocagne, which led the European trade in this prized dye.
Pastel cultivation flourished in the Lauragais since the 15th century. This hardy plant, able to withstand both drought and cold, showed a distinctive sign when it was ready for harvest: its leaves were tinged with a violet edge, indicating a high pigment content. Fields of pastel adorn the region with their yellow color, symbolizing the historic prosperity they brought to cities such as Toulouse and Albi, visible today in the majestic architecture and "hôtels particuliers" (mansions) of the area. Cocagne, the result of fermenting crushed cake leaves, was transformed into agranat, a paste that was then used to obtain the famous blue dye.
The route that bears its name, the Route du Pastel, passes through these landscapes, reminding travelers of the cultural and economic heritage that this plant brought to the region, from ancient times to the renaissance of the crop today, as celebrated in places such as the Musée de Magrin and the Château des Plantes. The presence of numerous pigeon lofts in the landscape is further testimony to the prosperous past, as guano was used to fertilize the land where the pastel grew. The Route du Pastel is therefore a living tribute to a plant that has colored the history of the region with its unique blue.