What to see and do around Albi in the Tarn?

There’s no shortage of ideas for outings around Albi in the Tarn, but the hardest thing is choosing.

So we’ve put together a short guide just for you, to help you discover the villages, monuments, walks and nature activities less than 1 hour from Albi. What to do around Albi

Touring the bastides of the Tarn

Let’s discover the little Tuscany of the Tarn!

1 – Cordes-sur-Ciel “the pearl of the bastides

This medieval town is 30 minutes from Albi, and over 800 years of history await you in its typical medieval streets. On either side of the street, you can admire the magnificent houses with their sculpted facades. Gothic art is very present in this town. Gothic palaces, the covered market and its well, the galleries and its many craftsmen. What to see

• Le Jardin des Paradis, a cool place to eat or have a drink, with exhibition rooms, a children’s play area and a shop.
• Musée Charles Portal, the history of the village from prehistory to the present day, free admission.
• Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in the house of the Grand Fauconnier.
• Musée de la Broderie (Embroidery Museum), the site of the first embroidery factory.
• Musée Les Arts du Sucre et du Chocolat: a permanent exhibition, unique in the world, of masterpieces in sugar and chocolate, on themes such as the Middle Ages, mythology, tales and legends.
• Hike to Puech Gaubel for a magnificent view of the town.

The Grand Fauconnier medieval festival: medieval costumes, falconry shows, costumed banquet, fire show, archery competition… Relive the medieval era at this incredible festival.

2 – Gaillac

This is where you’ll find the Maison des Vins, a place that traces the history of a thousand-year-old vineyard.

3 – Castelnau-de-Montmiral

Half-timbered houses and cobbled streets from the Middle Ages await you in this village that has withstood the ravages of many wars. The church of Notre-Dame and its treasure: the reliquary cross of the Counts of Armagnac, adorned with 310 precious stones, its magnificent altarpiece, the Christ in the Bindings, the Pieta and the sublime frescoes…

4 – Puycelsi

High above the Vère valley, on a rocky plateau, this fortress is protected by 800 m of ramparts, with a sentry walk offering a breathtaking view of the Grésigne forest below.

The 14th and 15th century houses are made of stone, wood and brick. The church of Saint-Corneille is worth a visit for its Baroque altarpiece and its well-preserved blue ceiling.

Tip: a number of aperitif concerts are organised by the winegrowers in the summer months, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of them – ask at the tourist offices!

The Tarn Valley

Plunge into the heart of fresh, green countryside, some 70km of walking, canoeing, with friends or family, up the river to discover the meandering course of the Tarn. Architectural breaks, water sports and swimming are all on the agenda.

1 – The Ambialet peninsula

4 churches, a priory, a hydroelectric power station and the narrowest isthmus in Europe. A walking map available from the tourist office for €0.50 will help you discover all the wonders of this timeless village.

2 – Hiking trails starting from Ambialet

• Le sentier des Cabannes 9 km, 2 h 45.
• Le sentier des deux Puechs 10.5 km, 3 h 45.

You’ll be walking through fields and woods, with a beautiful view over the Tarn Valley.

3 – Trébas plage

This green resort was awarded the “pavillon bleu” (blue flag) in 2010, as well as the eco-label for river bathing. The site is supervised in July and August from 2.30pm to 7pm.

The leisure centre offers a range of on-site activities: bookshop, hiking, tennis, handball, basketball, pétanque, football, fishing, nature trail, etc.

As well as paying activities: canoeing, kayaking, paddling, inflatable games with the Oasis de Trébas.

Water parks and aquatic centres around Albi

1. Aqua Parc – Aiguelèze

2,000 m² of inflatable games on the river Tarn, just 15 minutes from Albi, including a trampoline, giant slide, swing, water volleyball court…

Canoes and kayaks for hire and kids’ club.

2. Aquaval – Lautrec

This leisure centre offers a supervised swimming area, paddling pool, children’s pool, swimming pool, waterfalls and waterslides, mini-golf, children’s games, group play areas, boules pitch, fitness trail, shaded picnic areas, bar and fast food outlets.

For fishing enthusiasts, the lake has been awarded the “Parcours Pêche Famille FNPF” label.

3. Crok’Nature – Padiès

Water park, corn maze, mini-farm, straw swimming pool, electric mountain bike, pétanque, team sports, walking trails and horse riding. Enough to keep you busy for a whole day.

4. Lake Roucarié-Almayrac

A 35-hectare leisure park with wooded banks, endless greenery, fitness trail, children’s games, sailing, rowing, pedalos, etc. Picnic areas with barbecue. Swimming is supervised from 1.30pm to 7pm.

Walking routes around Albi

150 km of paths and tracks are available for visitors and walkers of all abilities, between countryside, woods, vineyards and green plains. There are 19 signposted routes in 14 communes. They are available on the Communauté d’agglomération portal: https://www.grand-albigeois.fr/329-balades.htm

Visits and museums around Albi

1 – The Château des plantes

This is where you’ll find Isatis Tinctoria’s unique production of woad (planted, extracted and dyed in the Pays de Cocagne). A site dedicated to plants, a rare know-how to be discovered.

2 – The Castelroc site

Discover medieval Occitania in the 13th century at this site, which combines culture, learning and entertainment on themed tours.

3 – The Art du Chocolat museum

Works of art and chocolate sculptures are on permanent display at this museum, which also features guided tastings of fine chocolates, a chocolate library and chocolate-related activities.

4 – Musée-mine départemental – Cagnac les mines

Opening at the end of 2022, this museum is the last remaining evidence of 700 years of coal mining in the Tarn. 350 m of galleries, machines and tools show the work of the underground miners and their living conditions.

5 – Cap’Découverte

Outdoor activities available on 680 ha: 80 km of cycle paths, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, ski lifts, paintball, paddle, sports fields, aerotrampoline, towed buoy, water park, tubing + wind slides, rail sledging, shows…

Other places of interest :

• Mauriac Castle
• Château du Bosc
• Musée Centre du Verre in Carmaux (glassblowers)
• The 3 Valleys zoo.

A visit to Albi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the surrounding area is a plunge into a destination where history, architecture, sports and sensory experiences all combine to delight the senses. From the Sainte-Cécile d’Albi cathedral to the Toulouse Lautrec Museum and the adjoining Palais de la Berbie Gardens, Albi’s historic centre is an open-air museum, and its surroundings are just as many gems to be discovered without moderation.