The Tarn
Oh, le château! is situated at the border of a little hamlet in the quiet French countryside. The rolling hills of the Tarn are in our backroom. Here you hike, bike or visit romantic, medieval villages. Towns are also close: within half an hour you are in historic Albi or Cordes sur Ciel.
ALBI
The majestic location on the Tarn, the largest brick cathedral in the world, the age-old street pattern, all make Albi a special experience. Foodies will love the market, the terraces and the good restaurants. Shopaholic? In the many boutiques you can satisfy your hunger for reasonable prices. If you're more into art, you'll love the Toulouse de Lautrec museum with a large collection of this world-famous artist. Did we mention that the Episcopal Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Yes, Albi, half an hour away, is really worth a visit.
LA ROUCARIE
Walk or drive from Oh, le château! down the hill and you come to a lake for swimming, surfing and sailing. It is wonderfully quiet here. Also nice to walk or cycle around (7 km) along the banks. It's also a great trail for running, according to some guests .
CORDES SUR CIEL
All of a sudden, the medieval town emerges between the slopes and turns towards the sky. Especially at sunset the view from the top on the surrounding landscape is spectacular. More French than Cordes sur Ciel is almost unthinkable. Narrow, winding streets, past centuries-old buildings, slowly lead you to the top up through various gates. It is a bit of a climb, but the countless shops and galleries along the way, as well as the beautiful views, invite you to take a pause. Don't forget to visit Le Jardin des Paradise. It is obvious that Cordes sur Ciel is one of the highlights of the Occitanie region and that at only 20 minutes away.
LA VALLEE DE VIAUR
A beautiful nature reserve for walking or cycling just 10 minutes by car from Oh, le château! Along the winding course of the river Viaur you will find alternating rough gorges, bushy areas and more open landscapes. There is a good chance that you will encounter cultural-historical treasures along the way, such as the abandoned chapel of Las Planques, the castle ruin of Thuriès or the Viaduc de Viaur, a unique piece of ironwork of 460 meters long, reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower. There are walks for everyone: longer trips over steep, narrow clamber paths or accessible detours, for example along the banks of the river. Adventurous mountain bikers can indulge in what is known as the 'hell of the Viaur'.
MUSEE SOULAGES
Do you like art and architecture? Then don't miss Musée Soulages in Rodez (40 minutes). The Corten steel building, designed by the world-famous Spanish agency RCR Arquitectes, makes a subtle yet a sturdy gesture in the old town. The dark interior, the sublime light and of course the painting of Pierre Soulages guarantee an aesthetic experience. Do you want to spoil your taste buds after your eyes? Then book a table at the adjacent Café Bras.
VINEYARDS GAILLAC
Relatively unknown, but certainly not unloved. One of the oldest wine regions in France and until the 19th century even the largest exporter of French wine, the wines from Gaillac are once again on the rise. Centuries-old grape varieties that are only grown here result in hearty red wines and crisp whites, sometimes with a light bubble. There are wonderful routes along the wineries where the producers are happy to let you taste or join one of the cozy apéro concerts in the vineyards. Gaillac (40 minutes) itself is a lovely village on the banks of the Tarn, with a lively market (Fridays) and Café des Sports, a casual café for all kinds of people.
MONESTIES
It is one of the most beautiful villages in France and yet it is not overrun by tourism: Monestiés (12 minutes). The narrow streets, picturesque buildings, the square with plane trees where pétanque is often played, they give the village such a typical French atmosphere. Flea markets are regularly organized and in the summer there is a Thursday night market with local products and delicacies, which you can enjoy on the spot at long tables to the musical enjoyment of a band. Holiday time!
TOULOUSE
Oh, how we love this pink city on the Garonne with its lively squares, student culture and cosmopolitan allure. The banks along the river were renovated not long ago, so that you can now enjoy a stroll. Toulouse is the fourth (soon perhaps the third) city in France, yet it has a manageable size and friendly atmosphere. It is also the capital of aerospace in France. Are you interested in more earthly things? Shops and restaurants come in all scents and colors. Rent a city bike and discover all the secrets of Tolosa. Easily accessible in an hour and fifteen minutes.
FOODIES
Garlic, cheese, charcuterie and wine are typical regional products of the Tarn. The pink garlic from Lautrec (charming village and nice Café Plum) is world famous for its thick, juicy and slightly sweet toes. The landscape is also suitable for the production of raw milk goat cheeses; the cheese makers are happy to show you how. The Laucaune is known for its smoked, dry hams with a deep dark red color. Of course, all those goodies include a good glass of wine: Gaillac. Be surprised by this unknown but certainly not unloved wine from the Tarn.
MUSEE DOM ROBERT
Poetic scenes, impressive formats, colorful details. You fall from one surprise to another when you stand in front of Dom Robert's tapestries. The Benedictine monk has devoted his oeuvre to nature. He captured flowers, meadows, horses and chickens on paper and carefully executed them in textiles. The modern interior of the museum, housed in an ancient monastery complex in Sorèze, let the works of Dom Robert shine. Art and architecture offer you a special experience. Combine the museum visit with a walk in the footsteps of Dom Robert in the beautiful surroundings or marvel at the market of Revel . Travel time approximately 1.20 hours.
SAINT ANTONIN NOBLE VALL
Yes, that's a mouthful for a village name and rightly so. The medieval village is really charming and still very much alive. Especially on Sunday mornings when one of the most beautiful markets in Occitanie takes place. Stroll along the stalls, taste the regional products and especially try to get a seat on the terrace of Café de la Halle. It is the place to feast your eyes. Saint Antonin Noble Val (45 minutes) is also a popular starting point for canoe trips through the Gorges d'Averyon.
TARN
Oh, le château! is located in the north of the Tarn, in the centre of the Occitan region. Here, you will find various landscapes, the woods of the Montagne Noire, the granite rocks of Sidobre, the vineyards of Gaillac, the gorges of the Aveyron and the Valley of the Viaur. Also bastide villages and historical towns are interesting hot spots. There is always a market or festival to visit. Hiking, biking, golfing, water sports, you can do it all in the Tarn.
LES BASTIDES
The Tarn has 48 bastide villages. They originated in the 13th and 14th centuries when the Cathar population was oppressed and sought shelter in safe strongholds. The villages make clever use of the existing relief and are often strategically located on a hill. Their location, narrow streets and beautiful facades make the villages interesting even today. If you don't want to miss anything, follow the route along the most beautiful villages: Puycelsi, Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Bruniquel, Penne, Najac ...
LA PASSERELLE
A suspension bridge like you encounter in the Himalayas in the Tarn. At a height of 70 meters and over a length of 140 metres, the passerelle balances above the void of the Arnette valley. The sturdy yet subtle construction leads to the small medieval village of Hautpoul. You have to take a short walk to get to the bridge, but once at the top the view and crossing are spectacular. For the ones without fear of heights. Combine the tour in Mazamet with a visit to Castres.
CASTRES
Of course they are on the postcards of Castres: the cheerful colors of the centuries-old houses above the water of the Agout appeal to the imagination. Once the workshops of tanners, parchment makers or weavers, they are now a tourist attraction. Rugby fan? Then you've come to the right place. Multiple national champion - Castres Olympiques - has its home base here. By the way, rugby is one of the most popular sports in our region. Castres is about 1 hour away.