Around Albi

Culture and sightseeing

Villages

20 minutes away:

• Gaillac, the main village in the Gaillac AOC vineyards. See the fine houses of old Gaillac and the grounds of the Château de Foucaud (Gaillac's fine arts museum). See also the Abbey of Saint Michel which is home to Gaillac's Maison des Vins and Museum of Winemaking and Wine.
  www.tourisme-tarn.com

25 minutes away:

• Lisle sur Tarn, a beautiful 13th century 'bastide' town on the banks of the Tarn.

35 minutes away:

• Castelnau de Montmiral, a 13th century 'bastide' officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
  
  

Vineyards

20 minutes away:

• Gaillac Vineyards Circuit.. Total length: around 100 km. A description of this combined with the Bastides Albigeoises Circuit is available from Gaillac Tourist Office. Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 14 65 – www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com

Châteaux

20 minutes away:

• Château de Mauriac, Senouillac: 14th century fortress stunningly restored to its former glory by the contemporary artist Bernard Bistes. Tel. +33 (0)5 63 41 71 18 – www.chateaudemauriac.com

40 minutes away:

• Château du Bosc, Camjac :as a child, Toulouse-Lautrec spent his summers at this opulently furnished medieval château that still belongs to his family. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 69 20 83 – www.tourisme-aveyron.com

Museums

15 minutes away:

• Musée du Saut du Tarn : a rather unusual museum opened in 1995 by the former workers at this old hydroelectric power station built on the natural fall in the River Tarn upriver from Albi. Tel. +33 (0)5 63 45 91 01 – www.musee-saut-du-tarn.com

20 minutes away:

• Musée de la Mine de Carmaux :a contemporary museum telling the story of Carmaux's mining past; tour of the old mining tunnels with strikingly realistic recreations of scenes from working life. Tel. +33 (0)5 63 53 91 70.

Other Top Tourist Destinations in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

25 minutes away :

• Cordes sur Ciel, a walled 'bastide' town perched high on a hill, famous for its Gothic architecture.
  www.cordessurciel.fr

50 minutes away :

• Toulouse, the capital of Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean.  www.toulouse-visit.com

55 minutes away :

• Villefranche-de-Rouergue / Najac:, these two magnificent 'bastide' towns 22 km apart in the upper Aveyron Gorge are definitely worth a visit.  www.tourisme-villefranche-najac.com

Outdoor activities

Rambling

25 minutes away:

• Near the village of Gaillac, a botanical trail through the vineyards: 2 short circuits (2.5 and 1.5 km) through the vineyards of the Vayssette wine estate. Introduction to the different grape varieties. Wine tasting available on the estate. Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 31 95.

Golf

5 minutes away:

• Albi Golf Course: a beautiful course on the banks of the River Tarn, overlooked by Albi Cathedral. Tel. +33 (0)5 63 54 98 07 - www.golfalbi.com

Gardens

30 minutes away:

• Le Jardin des Martels in Giroussens, informal flower gardens. Tel. +33 (0)5 63 41 61 42 – www.jardinsdesmartels.com

Fairs and festivals

20 minutes away:

• Cinéfeuille Gaillac, an interesting festival of documentary films about gardens and landscapes. In May/June.

25 minutes away:

• Les Fêtes Médiévales du Grand Fauconnier, Cordes sur Ciel. Lively and colourful recreations of medieval life including falconry. In July.