We often wrongly underestimate the charms of the French countryside, but it does conceal a myriad of treasures of unsuspected beauty. The Tarn in particular, located in the Occitanie region, is the ideal place for a holiday "in the green", surrounded by vineyards, rivers, mountains, bastides and towns that make this department of southern France such a friendly and resourcing place, where art, culture and nature combine perfectly.
Start your discovery of the Tarn by visiting the "Red City", Albi. Recognizable among all the other cities of the department, this episcopal city which owes its nickname to its omnipresent red bricks is registered with the Cultural Heritage of the Humanity of UNESCO since 2010. Stroll through the medieval quarter, cradle of the city, to admire its half-timbered houses and picturesque districts such as Castelnau. Then head for the Place Sainte-Cécile to discover the cathedral of the same name : the largest brick cathedral in the world, it is undeniably worth a look. Imposing and majestic, it is visible from a little everywhere in Albi. You may have the opportunity to enter the building to attend an organ concert and discover the beauty of this place. Walk through the pretty Albigensian lanes, go to the Pont Vieux to admire the most beautiful panorama imaginable of Albi, then take the time to rest on a sunny terrace. From the cathedral, a staircase allows you to reach the banks of the Tarn : the place is ideal to enjoy a picnic with family or friends by the river for a refreshing getaway.
Put on your sneakers and then take the direction of Cordes-sur-Ciel : if the ascent to reach the city through the cobbled and steep streets is rather sporting, it is nevertheless worth it. Cordes-sur-Ciel, they are ramparts, fortified gates, gothic houses, a singular medieval atmosphere and wonderful corners to discover. You will fall under the charm of its artists' studios, where painters, ceramists, jewellers and sculptors like to meet. The ideal is to go there early in the morning, before daybreak : some mornings, while the city is still asleep, the mist seizes the valley and the perched village of Cordes-sur-Ciel is as if sitting above the clouds... We guarantee you that this moment is worth seeing, and deserves to be immortalized. From the sky, this medieval city is just as beautiful : climb aboard a hot-air balloon for a flight you won't soon forget ! The more intrepid can also try a memorable parachute jump over its green valleys. On land, young and old can visit the city, its forests and vineyards on donkeys, horses or pony rides, for a fun and original walk. A little further on, Puycelsi and Castelnau-de-Montmiral, both classified as "Most beautiful villages in France", also deserve attention, just like Rabastens and its church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Suspended above the gorges of the Aveyron, Penne, north-west of the Tarn, is one of the most beautiful villages in the department. The ruins of its castle, its winding alleys and its houses as if hung on a rocky spur seem frozen in time. After these peregrinations, heading for the Abbey-school of Sorèze : high cultural and tourist place of the Tarn, this Benedictine abbey nestled at the foot of the Montagne Noire was built in 754. Former royal military school under Louis XVI, it welcomed students from all over the world.
Heading south of the department, you will meet the mountains of the Tarn : The Montagnes Noires and the Monts de Laucaune will delight hikers and sportsmen, so many and varied are the activities in the area. Finally, take advantage of the rivers and lakes of the department to practice a wide variety of water activities : paddle, water skiing, canoeing, sailing and swimming will be there ! Castres, the vineyards of Gaillac, the Rochers du Sidobre, Ambialet, Brassac, Carmaux, Lautrec and Les Cammazes are also to be added to the list of destinations to visit during your stay in Tarn !
