What to do in Tarn this summer? The ultimate guide

The 10 unusual activities to do in the Tarn during the summer season

What if for the next summer vacation, you set off to discover our beautiful country, France and more particularly, the Tarn department and its incredible activities to do?

Whether you are passionate about nature, history or simply looking for relaxation with your family, Occitanie and mainly the Tarn valley have unsuspected treasures.

Get ready to explore a multitude of leisure activities that will make your summer unforgettable.

Follow us through this guide so you don't miss any of the 10 best things to do in Tarn this summer.

Cross the Mazamet footbridge

Take to the skies in the Arnette valley. This suspended pedestrian bridge connects the village of Hautpoul to the town of Mazamet. It is 140 meters long and 70 meters high.

How to get there ?

• From Hautpoul : walk for 1 kilometer (around 30 minutes to reach the footbridge. The path is well marked and easy to follow for the whole family.
• From Mazamet : the trail is a little longer (2.5 km — 1 hour on foot). Be careful, the path is steeper than the previous one, but it offers a spectacular view of the surrounding area.

Do you want to know his secret? It is the highest pedestrian bridge in Europe . A great opportunity to cross it, right?

Discover the Gaillac vineyard

Nestled in the heart of the Tarn, the Gaillac vineyard, one of the oldest in France . The land extends over more than 9,000 hectares on the banks of the Tarn.

The temperate climate, with mild winters and hot summers, is a valuable asset for producing a wide variety of wines : red, white, rosé, sparkling... Local wines are known for their quality and unique character. This is how they have obtained numerous awards over the years.

It is impossible to list all the activities within the vineyard, but here are a few:

• visit to a wine estate;
• wine tasting (in moderation of course!);
• bike ride or walk;
• discovery of one of the picturesque villages of the vineyard;
• participation in a wine workshop , a festival in the vineyard…

Visit the medieval town of Cordes-sur-Ciel

Another opportunity for you and your loved ones to gain some perspective: explore Corde-sur-Ciel during your vacation. The town is famous for its steep, cobbled streets , half-timbered houses and old-world atmosphere . This place has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.

What to do in Cordes-sur-Ciel?

• Explore the city on foot and get lost in the alleys.
• Visit the Gothic Saint-Michel church and its works of art.
• Go up to the Charles-Portal museum which traces the history of the city from the Middle Ages to the present day…

Admire the Arifat waterfall

Sports friends, the Tarn is waiting for you! Are you not a hiker? No problem ! To reach the waterfall, the path is accessible to all levels and takes place on a path of approximately 3 kilometers with a small difference in altitude (200 meters at most).

Leave from the village of Arifat , where you can park easily. The hike takes place in the heart of a lush forest of the Tarn Valley where the views are magnificent. After 2 to 3 hours of walking, the Arifat waterfalls fall before your eyes in three successive basins with a total height of 80 meters.

We really feel very small in the face of this monster of nature!

Swimming in summer in the Tarn

Visiting the Tarn is hot, especially in summer!

During the most beautiful days of the summer period, there is nothing better than finding swimming spots to cool off. Lake, river, leisure center, you will inevitably find what you are looking for in the region.

Our suggestions:

• Lake Laouzas with supervised beach, children's play area and green surroundings.
• Trébas leisure center with multiple leisure activities: swimming, fishing, mini-golf, karting...
• Lac de Montagnès surrounded by hiking trails.
• Tarn River where many beaches are developed along the river.
• Avalets leisure center on the banks of the Tarn

And there are still dozens of them for the pleasure of young and old alike.

Go hiking in the Tarn

If you have read the first part of the article carefully, you have indeed noticed that in Occitanie and in the Tarn mainly, hiking is an institution.

For what ? Easy ! The region is a paradise with its varied landscapes and its numerous marked trails for walks galore.

The Montagne Noire, in particular, is a mountain range that holds the most beautiful views.

Among other things, don't miss:

• The Cathar trail, a 220 km GR that connects Lastours to Cucugnan
• The peak of Nore, the highest point of the Montagne Noire at 1211 meters above sea level
• The Cirque de Navacelles, one of the most spectacular sites in Tarn
• The Tarn gorges which are among the highest in Occitania...

Discover the Rochers du Sidobre

This is a destination that leaves no stone unturned! Nestled in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park, unique and atypical rocks are hidden, all made of granite. Cross a legendary world by following the different paths that lead to the most famous rivers, waterfalls and rocks such as the “ Peyro Clabado ”, the “ Roc de l’Oie ” or the “ Statues-Menhirs ”. Remember to take your picnic, areas are set up for the lunch break.

Explore the markets of Tarn

Grab your baskets, it's time to go to the market to find the region's gastronomic gems. Between pink garlic, Lacaune charcuterie, Ségala free-range veal, wine and cheese, there is something to enjoy all summer long. Meet the producers and savor their specialties during your market tour in the Tarn .

Explore Albi Cathedral

Impossible to pass through the Tarn without visiting this incredible cathedral with its castle-like appearance and its ^13th century Gothic style. Overlooking the city with its 78-meter bell tower, it is the largest brick Cathedral in the world and the largest painted in Europe, a cultural gem to discover through a self-guided tour or a guided tour. Don't miss the organ festival in summer , the opportunity to listen to the music played on these magnificent instruments. Open 7 days a week, Sainte-Cécile d'Albi Cathedral can be visited all year round.

Explore the Ambialet Peninsula

Take a break and take the time to admire the breathtaking view of the Albigensian plateaus and the Ségala hills. Between walking, cycling, horseback riding, canoe trips or fishing trips, experience an immersion in the heart of nature. The village of Ambialet can also be visited between its 4 churches, its priory which is a former Benedictine monastery and its hydroelectric power station. Open your eyes wide and enjoy, the Ambialet Peninsula is a true haven of peace.

What to do in the Tarn this summer: you still have so much to discover

Ah lala... We could talk for hours and hours about all the activities to do in the Tarn this summer. It's normal, this territory of France has an ideal setting for unforgettable summer holidays.

Whether you like hiking, swimming, cycling or visiting cultural sites, this southern department has everything to please you.

In addition to the essentials mentioned above, we advise you to explore the medieval villages, local markets and culinary specialties of the Tarn.

Throughout the summer, the region promises you a stay rich in emotions.

Don't wait any longer and come and enjoy the sweetness of life in Tarn with us!

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