La Madeleine district

The La Madeleine neighborhood across the Tarn River might seem pretty big at first glance. Well, believe it or not, it’s actually the smallest one in Albi. It’s all but an optical illusion. Back in the day, this district wasn’t really part of the main city, but then things really took off thanks to the construction of the Pont-Vieux. Built in the 11th century, this bridge was a real game-changer for Albi. The city boomed and grew in size. At last, people could easily cross the Tarn river in both directions. The left bank was where all the political and religious leaders lived, while the right bank was home to the outcasts, the destitute and the first water-powered plants, such as tanneries, textile dyeing factories and mills. From 1770 to 1852, the La Madeleine district saw a dramatic upsurge in industrial and commercial activity. In addition to its coal mines, the area was home to a flour mill, a vermicelli factory, one of Europe’s first hat factories, a gas plant and more. It even welcomed Spanish immigrants for a while. By the 1990s and 2000s, La Madeleine finally got on people’s radar, thanks to a number of renovation projects. Don’t miss this neighbourhood while in the city! It will be like discovering a whole new side of Albi.