Albi’s historic districts

Towering over the entire city, the Episcopal City of Albi with its unique brickwork is sure to impress. Spread across a 50-acre surface area, it’s impossible to miss as you enter the Red City. This essentially medieval architectural complex is made up of four districts that hold over twenty centuries of epic history. And since you’re about to explore them on foot, we’d like to give you a quick preview of what’s to come. First up, there’s the “Combes et berges du Tarn” district, aka the district of the Valleys and the Tarn River Banks, where you are right now. This riverside area was once the hub of commercial and port activities; and, of course, the Pont-Vieux, built in the 11th century, served both as a gateway and a key to its great fortune. Next up, there’s the Saint-Salvi village, laid out all around the famous collegiate church. Once an independent district, it grew significantly in the 10th century to accommodate a number of shops and craftsmen. To this day, the Occitan names of its streets still echo back to this bygone era, with “Carrieira sabataria” meaning “Cobbler Street” and “Carrieira galinaria” meaning “Chicken Seller Street”, etc. Bordering the Saint-Salvi village, there’s Castelnau with its wide, rectilinear streets. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, this district came to be thanks to an agreement between the city’s political and religious rulers with a view to Albi’s growth. Once home to the medieval elite, it still boasts a number of beautiful mansions from that period, as well as the remnants of the city’s ramparts. Last but not least, there’s the Castelviel district, right across from the cathedral’s bell tower. This was once the site of an ancient Celtic oppidum, the first Roman castra, and then the stronghold of the Counts of Toulouse, who helped build medieval Albi. With its charming squares and half-timbered houses, this district is but a real-life postcard! Alright, with all this knowledge in hand, I think you’re ready to hit the streets! The historic center of Albi awaits. Off to explore!