Albi Towns, Villages and Bastides in Albi

Located in the north-central part of the department, Albi is the largest and most populous town in the department. It is the prefecture of Tarn, a dynamic episcopal city, which will amaze you with its red brick architecture, its splendid monuments and its relaxed rhythm of life.

In the heart of the Occitanie region, Albi is only 45 minutes from Toulouse, about 3 hours by car from the Pyrenees and less than 2 hours from the Mediterranean, it's a good turn! The city is also ideally located as a base for a tourist stay in the Tarn, to shine in the different regions around.

On the tourism side, Albi, which welcomes more than a million and a half visitors each year, has more than one trick up its sleeve! No problem to stay there, since this beautiful city offers you a whole range of accommodation, from hotels to charming guest rooms ... Between the discovery of the cultural and architectural heritage, the practice of sports nature, leisure, participation in numerous events and festivities in season, Albi is a destination for everyone and for the whole family!

To visit in Albi, for lovers of beautiful bricks and heritage:

Impossible to miss the Sainte-Cécile Cathedral, with its astonishing glowing dungeon-bell tower, it is the emblem of the city. Its Gothic style, sumptuously adorned with decorative paintings and its monumental organ, the largest classical organ in France! Even today, it is a strong spiritual place. Its construction required 2 centuries of work, greatly congratulated by numerous visits each year, it is one of the most visited cathedrals in France!

The episcopal city of the city is located on the left bank of the Tarn, it is a very aesthetic and harmonious architectural ensemble, authentic, dominated by the Cathedral and which extends over 4 districts of the city. Since 2010, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also includes: The Palais de la Berbie which houses a museum with the largest collection of works by the painter Toulouse-Lautrec.

The Collegiate Church of Saint-Salvi, and its 12th century cloister, are also part of the classification, as well as the Pont Vieux, in brick, dating from the 11th century and the banks of the Tarn (where it is good to walk).

Lovers of beautiful homes will be happy in Albi, since many mansions, built in the great Romanesque era of the pastel trade (a dye plant) until the 18th century, can be admired: the Hôtel de Gorsse (place Henris Gorsse ) with its square central tower between its two wings. The Reynes hotel is listed as a historical monument and now belongs to the Tarn General Council. The Hôtel de Rivières, rue Saint-Clair, and its sumptuous gate, the Hôtel de Martin, rue de l'Hotel de Ville, which houses the Town Hall ... and many others!

Stroll through the Vieil Albi district, to discover magnificent corbelled houses, in brick and wood.

Then, cross the old bridge to reach the right bank of the Tarn and see the old Albigensian mills, which house the International Artistic Laboratory of Tarn (the LAIT).

When it comes to museums, don't miss the Lapérousse museum, to foster the vocation of explorers! How did you see the world at the time of Jean-François de Galaup?