End of winter walk in Cordes-sur-Ciel

The medieval city of Cordes-sur-Ciel is a magnificent jewel of Occitania. A fortified town with a picturesque heritage that is pleasant to discover all year round! The beginning of spring is palpable: the trees are starting to bud and the beautiful days are getting longer. Take the opportunity to follow us on a walk in this very pretty village, which, even out of season, has some breathtaking discoveries in store for you.

Cordes-sur-Ciel, an open-air history book

Since its creation in 1222, Cordes-sur-Ciel has amazed and fascinated. Its steep relief, its dominant position on a rocky promontory, makes it proud and admirably erected facing the world!

Rue Raimond VII, a steep relief

It is a Grand Site Midi Pyrénées, which means that it is recognized for its exceptional heritage and protected as such. Since 2014, Cordes-sur-Ciel's reputation has grown even more thanks to its election as the " Favorite Village of the French ", in an eponymous television show.

Cordes-sur-Ciel is a village that is generally very popular with children, who love to get lost in the maze of steep and winding streets... A playground that is good to enjoy in the spring, because in the summer, it is a very lively and dynamic tourist area. There are many artists and art galleries, craftsmen who exhibit and present their works in this inspiring village. It is the leather trade and the know-how of local craftsmen, which gave its letters of nobility to the city in the Middle Ages. This results in sumptuous villas (see among others, the Maison du Grand Veneur), which reflect the importance of this economic hotbed at the time.

Here, it is as if time had stopped in the 13th century. At the Tourist Office, you will be well advised and they will even recommend a route that allows you to enjoy interpretation panels throughout the town. It is of course on foot that you will explore the village, with good shoes (avoid heels on the steep cobbled streets J). Go through the 3 beautiful gates: the Porte du Vainqueur (12th century and this is where you enter the upper part of the village), the Porte des Ormeaux, on the west side of the town and the Porte de l'Horloge which initially was not decorated (it was added and named after).

The Gate of the Elms

Cordes-sur-Ciel is a village with Cathar origins, many battles have taken place within its walls. How many hid in the corners of the half-timbered buildings during the Albigensian Crusade? How many fell into the “ Puits de la Halle ”, unfathomable and over 100 metres deep? Take a tour of the Gothic-style Saint-Michel church which houses beautiful frescoes . The Jardins du Paradis will also amaze you: each year, they feature a new theme.

The village of Cordes-sur-Ciel from the valley, summer

Walking and having fun in Cordes-sur-Ciel

The Cérou flows at the foot of the city, it is the river that once allowed tanners to work leather (a lot of water is needed for this activity, the skins have to be cleaned, scraped and immersed to relax them). While walking there, you can see the Moulin de Cajarc along the river. Hiking loops are available in the Cérou valley, to the delight of walkers.

What you absolutely must not miss in Cordes-sur-Ciel is the morning climb to the top of the village, to enjoy (at the place called Pied Haut), a superb view of the countryside and in autumn and spring, the sea of clouds which rises gently.

An original museum to visit, for lovers of old crafts and gourmands : the Museum of Sugar and Chocolate Arts. You will be surprised to discover all the original things that can be done with sugar! Pastillage, spinning, coating... There is also the possibility of tasting and buying products at the adjacent shop.

Art lovers will visit the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which is accessible at a very nice price. It is housed in a beautiful mansion, a Historic Monument that is worth the detour in itself. Different collections are installed in 5 spaces, distributed around a staircase. Around 150 works from several artistic movements are offered, with artists of great renown like Picasso and Christo, others more confidential that you will enjoy discovering. There are also temporary exhibitions and a shop.

There is also the Charles Portal Museum of Art and History, located in the Maison des Ormeaux. It is a place that showcases life in Cordes-sur-Ciel and the culture of Occitania. You will learn more about the city's buildings, life in the Middle Ages, all arranged in 7 rooms. The Museum sometimes offers workshops, special guided tours. Note that it is an associative museum, which lives thanks to the work of volunteers from the association of the Society of Friends of Old Cordes.

See you soon for new escapades in Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne and Aveyron! Follow us on our Facebook page, to prepare your vacation.