Site en Francais

Prat Long
Labarthe Bleys
81170 Cordes
France
0033 (0)5 63 56 99 27
embleton@aliceadsl.fr

Useful Sites

Map of The Area
Tourism Tarn
Tourism Tarn / Aveyron
IHA.com : Location vacances, chambres d'hotes et gîtes de particulier à particulier

The area is one of outstanding natural beauty and has an interesting history. The Middle Ages were a time of great conflict between the Cathars and the Catholics. This period gave rise to the many fortified towns and villages in the region.

Cordes-sur-Ciel, founded in 1222, is famous for its highly perched fortified site and Gothic sculpted facades. On the 13th & 14th July a medieval fair is held every year with its torchlight processions, knights on horseback and people in costumes of the time.
In the 1880’s, embroidery became the main occupation of the town for about fifty years. Today there is a museum featuring one of the old looms and other artefacts. Since the 1940’s many artists and craftsmen have settled in and around the town providing a variety of handicraft shops and museums.
The town has garages, banks, small supermarkets, bakers, butchers, a post office and of course, cafes and restaurants. Every Saturday morning there is a market with lots of colourful characters and produce.

Other fortified towns in the area include Penne, Bruniquel, Puycelci and Castelnau-de-Montmiral. Najac, one of the most beautiful villages, is set upon a rocky peak overlooking the river Aveyron.
At Vaour, in the Gresigne forest, are the ruins of the Knights Templar headquarters. Also in the area are the towns of Albi, with it’s wonderful rose brick Cathedral, Bishops’ Palace and Toulouse-Lautrec museum; Gaillac, centre of the wine producing area and St Antonin Noble Val, with its narrow streets and very popular Sunday market. Canoe trips through the Aveyron Gorges can be taken from here.

Laguepie, a pretty village, is set at the confluence of the rivers Aveyron and Viaur. Here, during the summer months it is possible to swim in the river Viaur where the water is tested daily for quality.
A little further a field is Millau, now famous for the new viaduct which stands 270metres above the river Tarn. It is also famous for glove making. Roquefort, famous for the cheese caves, is worth a visit on the way home.
Toulouse is a colourful and vibrant city with street cafes, restaurants, markets, beautiful old buildings, shops, museums and theatres.

For more information on the area, see www.tourisme-tarn.com and www.tarn-aveyron-lot.com