A trip further north from Cordes brings you to
the dramatically sited village of Najac
with its massive fortress dating back to 1253 - and the village houses
straggling precipitously
underneath on the hillside. In the 13C there was a population here
of 2000 people.
Left - 44 kms south-east from our village
is the town of Castres - which has a charming riverside
quarter and the former bishop's palace which houses the major Musée
Goya - which has the largest
collection of Spanish paintings outside the Louvre - including several
by Goya.
Right -The palace is also very famous for its gardens designed
by Andre Le Notre.
Although this is closer to our Pyrenees cottage -
many of our guests take the 90 minute trip
to see the
walled city of Carcassonne - one of the great sights of France.
Founded in the 3C BC, it later became a Cathar heretic stronghold during
12C AD
which was captured by Simon-de-Montford during the Albigensian Crusade.
Carcassonne a perfect mediaeval fortress layout of two concentric walls
with thirteen towers
spread along the outer rampart with twenty-six along the inner one.
Also south-east and only about 30 kms is the delightful
high village of Lautrec -
- famous for it's ail-rose ( pink garlic) and it's windmill.
Lautrec has a very reasonably priced restaurant
- Le Moulin Gourmand -
so think about setting off in time for lunch before exploring this
charming village
and then climbing up to the windmill with 360 degree views of the
countryside around.
Going to the west you can easily take in the town
of Montauban - the Rose city of the Midi -
which has the Ingrès Museum in the former 15C Episcopal Palace
with a very fine collection of works
by this famous artist - born here in 1780. It also has an excellent
program of temporary exhibitions.
Toulouse - our cottage is only a half
hour train trip from Lavaur station to the centre of this great historic
city
- certainly worth a full day to explore this vibrant town full of
restaurants, magnificent cathedrals,
museums and lively streets with up-market shops - as shown here just
near the Place-du-Capitole.
Toulouse contains two of
the most magnificent churches - firstly the Cathedral of St
Sernin
the largest and best preserved Romanesque cathedral in southern France
which dates back to the 11C - in warm red brick with its unique six
storied spire.
- and secondly the
Church of Les Jacobins - a masterpiece of 13C southern French gothic
architecture
shown here is the amazingly beautiful vaulted ceiling - recently restored
to its former splendour.
Tarn
region - Tarn cottage
- Tarn village
Tarn sightseeing - Tarn
house-plans - Tarn local region
Sightseeing in the Tarn region
The immediate area
Lavaur - the mediaeval town close
by with a stormy history from the Crusades.
Briatexte and Giroussens - famous for ceramics.
Gaillac - founded in Roman times and centre for the Gaillac wines.
Gaillac wineries - the vineyards of Gaillac are among the oldest in
the France.
Rabastens - formerly the summer residence of the old Toulouse
Parliament.
Lisle-sur-Tarn - a 13C bastide village with very beautiful authentic
architecture.
Within an hours drive
Albi - a most historic and beautiful town with a vivid
history from the Albigensian Crusade.
Albi - Palais-de-la-Berbie (former Arch-bishop's palace), with 600
works by Toulouse Lautrec
Cordes -sur-Ciel - founded in 1222 - a mediaeval refuge for heretics.
A circuit of hill-top bastides classified as Plus Beaux Villages de
France -Castelnau-de-Montmiral,
Puycelci, LaRoque, Bruniquel and Penne.
Lautrec and the Sidobre granite forest.
Castres - has an important museum of Goya and other Spanish painters.
The Canal du Midi and the bastide town of Revel.
Lake Saint Férréol - created to store the water for
the Canal du Midi.
Carcassonne - one of the most visited tourist sites in France.
Toulouse - certainly worth an entire day to explore all the Museums,
cathedrals and vibrant streets.
1.
Lot - 2.
Dordogne - 3 Tarn - 4
Gascony - 5 Provence -
6 Haute Provence - 7
Pyrenees
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