TARN - The Albiegeois

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Map of the Tarn, L'Albigeois

Here we are in the heart of the Tarn, in the urban area and around the prefecture of the Tarn department: Albi. To the east of the Aquitaine basin, the Albigeois is watered by several rivers and it is this hydrographic attraction, the presence of pebbles (for construction) and food, which led the first men to settle on the banks . du Tarn and to colonize this attractive natural area. Come and discover the heart of the Tarn, where heritage, leisure, nature and good humor come together!

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Albi

Located in the north-central part of the department, Albi is the most populated and largest city in the department. It is the prefecture of the Tarn, a dynamic episcopal city, which will dazzle you with its red brick architecture, its superb monuments and its gentle way 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 is good to live there! The city is also ideally located as a base for a tourist stay in the Tarn, in order to radiate around.

The Beautiful Albi!

As for tourism, Albi, which welcomes more than one and a half million visitors each year, has more than one trick up its sleeve! No problem to stay there, since this beautiful city will offer you a whole range of accommodation, from hotels to charming bed and breakfasts... 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 breathtaking glowing donjon-bell tower , it is the emblem of the city. Its Gothic style , richly decorated 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, legitimately greeted by very many 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 old town. Since 2010, it has been classified 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 bricks, dating from the 11th century and the banks of the Tarn (where it is pleasant to walk).

Be impressed...

Lovers of beautiful residences will be happy in Albi, since many private mansions, built during the great Romanesque era of the Pastel trade (a dye plant) until the 18th century, can be admired: the Hôtel de Gorsse (place Henri Gorsse) with its square central tower between its two wings. The Reynes hotel is classified as a historical monument and now belongs to the General Council of the Tarn. The Hôtel de Rivières, rue Saint-Clair, and its sumptuous portal, the Hôtel de Martin, rue de l'hôtel de ville, which houses the Town Hall... And many more!

Stroll through the Vieil Alby district to discover magnificent corbelled, brick and wooden houses.

Then, cross the old bridge to reach the right bank of the Tarn and see the old Albigensian mills, which house the Laboratoire Artistique International du Tarn (MILK).

The old houses of Albi

Question museums , do not miss the Lapérousse museum, to give birth to vocations of explorers! How did we see the world at the time of Jean-François de Galaup?

The tips and good plans of the Guide Tarn Aveyron in Albi:

• Take a look (from March 2018) at the Fashion Museum and treat yourself to the associated vintage shop.
• Albi is a 4-flower city, which is therefore well endowed with green and flowery spaces: to the south of the city, go for a walk in Rochegude Park, there is also Square Lapérousse, the National Garden and the Garden of the Palais de la Bertie.
• A museum that will appeal to children and grown-ups: The Academy of Miniatures Museum, with a tea room and cultural events. Small, very small showcases of scenes of life in bourgeois houses await you!
• Stroll along the banks of the Tarn, for more than 4km, on the "Echappée Verte". The route begins at the European School of Art and Materials and continues for a family outing on foot or by bike.
• 1,2,3,4,5,6! There are 6 markets in Albi! Saturday morning: Place Fernand Pelloutier, Boulevard de Strasbourg, at the Covered Market and Place de la Pile. Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: place Fernand Pelloutier, it is an organic market and local products. Don't miss the covered market, open 6 days a week, under the magnificent hall with its metal beams.
• The Pratgraussal leisure center invites you to idleness or, on the contrary, to sport, with its 13 hectares of greenery. Fishing enthusiasts will go there with their equipment to taste the fish!
• Visit Albi by little train, segway or barge, it's original ;)
• To swim in Albi, you can go to the Espace Aquatique Atlantis, with its pools, bubble baths and giant slides!

The Episcopal City

The Receiver

Small town directly attached to Albi, part of the same community of agglomeration, Le Sequestre hosts the Albi racing circuit. You can do laps on the track, learn to drive and attend competitions. There is also an aerodrome, where you can do first flights or parachute jumps. The exhibition center offers congresses and other fairs very regularly, it is a place that is changing, do not hesitate to consult the agenda to be aware of the events during your stay. Be sure to take a walk along the ridge trail (fr), an easy 2-hour walk, for beautiful views.

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Castelnau-de-Levis

A few kilometers from Albi is the town of Castelnau-de-Lévis . Come and admire the remains of the 13th century castle, only one tower remains which stands proudly. You will enjoy in this place, a beautiful view of the Tarn valley and Albi below. You will also discover the Sainte-Cécile du Carla church, near the medieval village. Stroll through the beautiful arboretum.

Ruins of the Castle of Castelnau-de-Lévis

Lescure-d'Albigeois

Less than 9km from Albi is the medieval town of Lescure-d'Albigeois, where you can visit the Church of Saint-Michel , listed as a Historic Monument, its square tower and very beautiful Romanesque sculptures, in particular that of the portal. Sainte-Catherine Church, at the bottom of the village, has a niche above its portal, with a statue of Sainte-Catherine, patroness of the town. Admire the Clock Tower, a fortified gate and the beautiful Gothic-style church, Notre-Dame de la Drèche.

The Tarn flows near the town, as well as pretty little streams. Nearly 4,500 people live in Lescure, a modern and dynamic small town.

Lescure d'Albigeois, Clock Tower

Saint-Juery

In Saint-Juéry, 8km from Albi, you can see the Saut du Sabo site and its natural fall in a rocky chaos 18m high. Next to this natural site is the Saut du Tarn Museum, which traces the history of the steelworks established here in 1824. Metal is forged there in a mixture of noise, dust and the characteristic smell of this type of industry. The museum is in a former hydroelectric plant. It is through films, models and period documents that you will relive the journey of this industrial adventure, unique in this place.

In Saint-Juéry, you can swim and relax at the Avalats nautical base, there is a canoe base and also a supervised bathing point in season.

Le Saut du Sabo in Saint-Juéry

Severe

About fifteen kilometers west of Albi, Lagrave is a peaceful town in the middle of the vineyards of Gaillac wines. You can stay there, as a starting point for your journeys in the Tarn, there are hiking trails, several restaurants and lodges, small corners of greenery, on the banks of the Tarn nearby. Those interested in archeology will discover with great interest the site of Sainte-Sigolène, where a women's monastery was established in the 7th century. For more information, visit the Troclar archaeological work website (fr).

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Realmont

Halfway between Albi and Castres, Réalmont is a picturesque bastide full of charm. You will discover beautiful corbelled houses, a beautiful square of arcades, where the market takes place on Wednesdays. The bastide was created to establish the influence of Catholicism, in a country where the Cathar heresy was very developed. Visit Notre-Dame du Taur, the town church, take a walk towards the "Blima", the small stream that feeds the old washhouse. For a moment of freshness, meet at Lac de Bancalié, for pedal boating, canoeing and fishing.

The charms of Realmont

Lisle-sur-Tarn

This 13th century bastide is located between Toulouse and Albi, in the heart of the Gaillacois vineyard. We will discover the church of Notre-Dame de la Jonquière, the very large square of arcades in the center of the village and the castle of Gines. Also visit the Raymond Lafage Museum and the Chocolate Museum. Wine castles open their doors to you, on the outskirts of the town, for tastings of local wines.

Nature in Lisle-sur-Tarn