For a day or for a week, what there is to do and see
IN THE REGION
With
Special Edition Pyrenees Magazine
Let's go for the weekend - Occitanie
Pyrénées Magazine published a special issue in October 2022 devoted to 13ideal destinations to go en weekend inOccitanie, from St Girons to Uzès via Toulouse, Montauban, Figeac, Rodez, Mende, Sète, among others and of course Albi.
In this issue, in addition to seeing Franck dancing with Miss Grumpy, you will discover some ideas for discovering our city. Good places to eat and of course where to sleep: Au Rez de Jardin Albi!
Click on the photo of the magazine to discover the full article.
Go to your newsagent for the special issue
Albi
2023
The 2023 season will once again be rich in events and events.
A multitude of good reasons to stay in the Tarn!
In addition to the richness of the episcopal city of Albi, the museums and monuments detailed below, the many activities to do in Albi and the beauty of the Tarn landscapes and villages, many events will be on the program again this year, such as :
- The Pastel Night on June 1st at the Parc de Rochegude
- Sound and Light will return this summer to the facades of the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
- The Pause-Guitar festival from July 5 to 9
- The arrival and departure of a stage of the women's Tour de France on July 27 and 28.
- Place(s) Aux Artistes, free concerts in the city from July 18 to August 19.
- ...
Albi
Museums and monuments
The jewel of our city, it watches over the historic center of the city.
Visible from all sides when you arrive in Albi, it imposes by its height and its beauty.
Sainte-Cécile Cathedral.
5 Boulevard General Sibille,
81000 Albi
The Toulouse-Lautrec museum is presented in one of the most beautiful settings in Albi. The Berbie Palace is one of the two major monuments of the Episcopal City classified as World Heritage. The museum is a place of international reference for the work of the artist from Albi.
Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
Berbie Palace
Saint Cecilia Square
81000 Albi
05 63 49 48 70
Push the door of the museum dedicated to the fabulous voyage around the world of the Albigensian navigator, Lapérouse. When visiting Albi, take the Pont-Vieux which spans the Tarn to reach the Botany Bay square. It is from the terrace that you will enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Episcopal City: the river, the barges on the Tarn, the rooftops of Vieil Alby...
Laperouse Museum
41 Porta Street
Square Botany Bay
81000 Albi
05 63 49 15 55
The MILK - contemporary art center
The Center d'Art le LAIT has been promoting contemporary art for more than 35 years. It is a place dedicated to the most current creation: exhibitions, artistic practice workshops, conferences, editions, symposiums, artist residencies. It is a lively and welcoming place, whose entry is free, open and accessible to all.
Milk Art Center
28 rue Rochegude
81000 Albi
09 63 03 98 84
One of the strong identities of the Fashion Museum is to present a totally new exhibition every two years, always centered on a different theme. Each exhibited piece then returns to its reserve. This museum presents clothes and accessories all from Dominique Miraille's private collection, from the end of the 17th century to the 2000s.
Fashion Museum
17 rue de la Souque
81000 Albi
05 63 43 15 90
The Maison du Vieil Alby is the soul of the Episcopal City, one of the major symbols of the historic center of Albi. The "Albi Patrimoine" association oversees its future by preserving the memory of this emblematic place.
Old Alby House
1 rue de la Croix Blanche
81000 Albi
05 63 54 96 38
The museum for everyone Raphaël Cordoba...
The Albigensian painter Raphaël CORDOBA devoted 25 years of his life to paying homage to the greatest painters in history from the 14th century to the 20th century. 65 paintings are exhibited in the round tower of the Hôtel de Saunal, a Renaissance merchant hotel located a stone's throw from the Sainte-Cécile cathedral and the cloister of the Saint-Salvi collegiate church.
The Museum for All by Raphaël Cordoba
38 rue de l'Hotel de Ville
81000 Albi
07 81 07 67 53
The Reynes Hotel
Built by the family of Roger Reynès, a wealthy pastel merchant, the Reynes hotel symbolizes his success.
This beautiful residence is a magnificent combination of brick and stone.
The beautiful inner courtyard, open all year round, is dominated by a superb round tower.
You can also see the busts of François I and his wife Eléonore.
Since August 2017, the Reynes hotel has housed a space for promoting the Tarn destinations of the Department: dedicated to promoting the tourist, cultural and natural offer of the Tarn destinations via image screens, digital touch table.
You can also discover there, all year round, animations, exhibitions and other occasional events.
A shop allows you to buy topoguides and other hiking sheets offered by the Departmental Hiking Committee.
HOTEL REYNES
14 rue Timbal
81000 ALBI
L’église de la Madeleine est beaucoup plus récente que son illustre aimée Sainte Cécile.
Elle date seulement de XIXe siècle.
Sur la rive droite du Tarn, comme la maison, elle est assez proche du Rez de Jardin (5 minutes à pieds).
L’Eglise de la Madeleine est ouverte les après-midi d’été.
Eglise de la Madeleine
46 Rue de la Madeleine
81000 Albi
05 63 50 52 63
Saint-Juery
The Saut du Tarn museum is located in the former metallurgical factory of Saint-Juéry, a few kilometers upstream from Albi in a natural site. You will dive into industrial tourism, into the history of these men.
Saut du Tarn Museum
2 Steelworks impasse
81160 Saint Juery
05 63 45 91 01
Albi
Discovery
Discovery Guide, Albi /Tarn Valley
VShe Discovery Guide is the result of collaboration between the Departmental Tourism Committee and the Tarn Tourist Offices.
60 pages of tips, heritage, walks, hikes, a selection of good addresses...the perfect guide for a successful stay!
Scan the QR code for the versions:
EDITION 2023
French
Français
If you want to visit Albi and its surroundings in an original and friendly way, the Tacot Cathare is for you! Set off in a 2CV with a tour guide to discover our territory and its history for an unforgettable experience! Le Tacot Cathare was created in 2020 by Marc Fanals, a tour guide who loves his region and vintage. The idea being to mix these two passions by offering visitors an unforgettable moment to discover Albi and its surroundings aboard a unique vehicle: the 2CV.
Visits can be made from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., for nights from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
ALBI CRUISES
It is in the heart of this city that you will sail on the barge, from where you will have the most beautiful views of the city of Albi. The departure is under the cathedral, next to the remains of the old port where barges transporting goods used to be moored.
All cruises are commented.
Several choices are then available to you. One of the formulas is necessarily suitable for you.
Open from May to October. Departure minimum 10 people. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Departure point: Berges du Tarn, under the cathedral. Free up to 3 years old.
Albi cruises:
Port of Aiguelèze 81600 Rivers
05 63 43 59 63
Email: safaraid@wanadoo.fr
LITTLE TOURIST TRAIN
Runs from March to December and during school holidays. High season: open every day and on public holidays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mid-Feb, March, Oct: Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. April every day 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. May, June, Sept. daily 10.30am, 11.30am, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm (6pm in June). Nov. and Dec. Wednesday to Sunday 11am, 2pm, 3pm.
Departure subject to the number of passengers. animals accepted 3 €. Group reservations at the Albi tourist office:
05 63 49 48 76.
Place de la Pile
81000 Albi
The Gaillacois Vineyard
Wine has been produced in the Gaillac region for a very long time, we are here in one of the oldest vineyards in France, and certainly the oldest in the South-West.
The Southwest offers a great diversity of terroirs, the same goes for its grape varieties.
In fact, the grape varieties offered here in Gaillac, some of which are undoubtedly endemic to our region, are:
For the Reds :
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Braucol (Ou fer Servadou)
-
Prunelart
-
Duras
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Syrah
-
Gamay
-
Merlot
-
Cabernet Franc
-
Cabernet Sauvignon
For whites :
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Loin de L’Oeil (ou Les de l’El)
-
Mauzac
-
Ondenc
-
Muscadelle
-
Sauvignon
This diversity of terroirs and grape varieties gives us a choice of wines that will delight the greatest number of people for various occasions and dishes.
You will find much more information on the Gaillac wine website for example (www.vins-gaillac.com).
For our part at the Rez de Jardin, we have selected four addresses of organic producers and producers in conversion to organic, which we particularly appreciate (there are many others to discover):
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Château les Vignals SCEA - Les Vignals, 81150 Cestayrols - 05 63 55 41 53
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Domaine de Brin 81150 CASTANET - 056356906
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Domaine de Labarthe - Lieu-dit Labarthe 81150 CASTANET -05 63 56 80 14
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Famille Balaran Domaine d’Escausses & Chateau de l’enclos des Roses 32 Route de La Salamandrié 81150 Sainte Croix 0563568252
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Maison Labastide - Lieu dit, La Barthe, 81150 Labastide-de-Lévis - 05 63 53 73 63
On simple request, with your room, we will give you your:
PRIVILEGE CARD
of the Labastide house giving you the right to 2 free visits and a 15% discount on all wines (excluding promotions) from this house founded in 1949.
If you do not want to leave Albi, La Cave de Léa will be able to offer you a wide choice of organic wines from Gaillac (but not only, Léa has organic wines and beers from all regions.
La Cave de Léa - 2 rue François Arago 81000 Albi - 06 68 46 78 91
Bastides and villages
In addition to the visit of Albi, you will also be able to radiate around our beautiful city and discover the pretty picturesque villages and the Tarn bastides:
13th century fortified villages.
Borrow from the Departmental Committee of the Tarn the map below offers two circuits to discover the region:
- The Albigensian Bastides circuit
- The Gallaicois vineyard circuit
STRINGS ON SKY:
It will take you half an hour from the ground floor to reach this unmissable medieval city: Cordes-sur-Ciel .
Climb on foot to attack Cordes or through its cobbled streets. You will be in the medieval atmosphere of this perched city.
Cordes sur Ciel was voted France's favorite village in 2014.
CASTELNAU DE MONTMIRAL
Ranked among the "most beautiful villages in France", this Tarn bastide has a magnificent square with arcades.
You will undoubtedly appreciate the typical facades of this former lookout post which made the fortress of Castenau de Montmiral impregnable.
Around Castelnau de Montmiral, many hiking trails will allow you to enter the forest of Grésigne which is the largest oak grove in the south of France.
PUYCELSI
A few kilometers from Castelnau de Montmiral, Puycelsi is also one of the "most beautiful villages in France" built on a huge rock overlooking the Vère which flows below.
The two towers, in the ramparts of the city, opened their fortified gates on the village which housed the castle of the Governors, the chapel of St Roch, the residences of the 16th century, the Romanesque church...
The panorama from Puycelsi is magnificent. To discover !
BRUNIQUEL
14 kilometers from Puycelsi, we are already in the Tarn et Garonne and Bruniquel, one of the "most beautiful villages in France" welcomes you. Bruniquel is on the border of Quercy and Rouergue, at the end of the Gorges de l'Aveyron. This city watches from the top of its castles, the valleys of the Aveyron and the Vère.
PENNA
Return to the Tarn, you are now in Penne. Enter the village and climb towards the castle which overlooks the gorges of the Aveyron.
The Château de Penne is being restored using medieval techniques, the workers even going so far as to dress according to “the fashion” of the time.
MONESTIES
On the way back to Albi, we still suggest a stopover in one of the “most beautiful villages in France”, Monestiés.
The statuary ensemble of the Saint-Jacques chapel representing the passion of Christ is classified as a Historic Monument. The 20 statues will impress you with their life-size size and their innovative realism for the time (1490).
MONESTIÉS
En revenant à Albi nous vous proposons encore une halte dans un des « plus beaux villages de France », Monestiés.
L’ensemble statuaire de la chapelle Saint-Jacques représentant la passion du Christ est classé Monument Historique. Les 20 statues vous impressionneront par leur taille grandeur nature et leur réalisme novateur pour l’époque (1490).
LAUTREC
Full south, direction Lautrec.
How can you resist the charm of this “most beautiful village in France” (one more!); its half-timbered houses, its ramparts, its central square and its 15th century Halles…
Be sure to climb the windmill (still in working order) and admire the pastel fields, the Agoût valley and further south the Montagne Noire.
Lautrec specialty: pink garlic!
LAVAUR
We are here in the capital of the Pays de Cocagne!
Don't miss the Gothic Saint-Alain Cathedral and its famous Jacquemart, an automaton that tells the hours by striking the cathedral's big bell.
Cross the medieval quarter, the garden of the bishopric...
Many other towns and villages are to be discovered in the region, Gaillac, St Sulpice, Rabastens, Sorèze, Dourgnes, Hautpoul, Castres...
Around
The Tarn
Head East now!
The Tarn Valley ,
From St Juéry begins the upper valley of the Tarn.
Here, there will be something for everyone: water sports, hiking on the GR36 or other "PR", bike rides or simply for the pleasure of the eyes.
Ambialet
The Tarn draws here a magnificent meander which will serve as a setting for the village of Ambialet
A magnificent view of the isthmus and the valley awaits you as you climb the way of the cross to the priory.
The most pronounced isthmus in Europe is the particularity of this site!
Continue to criss-cross up the river, it will take you 90kms further east to Millau and from there to the dizzying Gorges de Tarn.
The Arifat Waterfalls
About thirty kilometers south-east of Albi, play adventurers in a site classified as a "Sensitive natural area".
The waterfalls trail is a little over 2kms long and will take you over a suspended footbridge. Even if the walk is short, it has a steep drop so hiking equipment is recommended.
These waterfalls are discreet and after crossing the footbridge they will impress you.
Distance: 2.1 km
Time: 2 hours
Max altitude: 429m
Min altitude: 316m
There are several roads to reach the start, by Réalmont we reach Arifat by the D86 then the D11 which we take on the left after Lafenasse.
Park in the small car park at Arifat Castle.
The PR® Marking is Yellow
The Viaur Viaduct
North of Albi straddling Tarn and Aveyron, the Viaur viaduct linked the Castelnaudary railway line to Rodez from 1902.
Its construction was directed by the Société de construction des Batignolles with Jean Compagnon who was also site manager of the Garabit viaduct and the Eiffel Tower where he previously worked.
The Viaur Viaduct has been listed as a historical monument since December 1984.
116 meters below flows the Viaur near which it is good to cool off.
The Sidober
We are in the Haut-Languedoc regional natural park, on the largest granite plateau in Europe.
It is the land of round rocks and other legendary rocks.
See, among other things, the Peyro Clabado, an 800-ton rock balanced on a smaller one whose surface is only one square meter!
Fill up on nature, on foot, by mountain bike, the Sidobre is magical!
The Black Mountain
We are now in the south of the department and close to Hérault, Aude and Haute-Garonne.
The landscapes are extremely varied in the Montagne Noire: deciduous forests on the northern slopes and Mediterranean landscapes as soon as we are on the southern slopes.
A few curiosities are to be seen: the Mazamet footbridge, the villages of Hautpoul, Dourgnes and Sorèze, the Pic de Nore which is the highest point of the Montagne Noire (1211m altitude) and its unique panorama over the Aude and the Pyrenees.
The land of white waters, it is on this mountain that Pierre-Paul Riquet found the water necessary to build the Canal du Midi.
To see: the channel of the mountain, the Vauban vault in Cammazes.
The Montagne Noire is a paradise for hikers!
The restaurants
Some evenings, it is safer to book your restaurant.
By scanning or clicking on the following QR code, a (non-exhaustive) list of some establishments that we have tested.
Many other magnificent places are to be discovered in our region so for an evening or a week, our guest house Le Rez de Jardin in Albi will be the center of these beautiful discoveries!
Goodbye
Anne & Frank