|
Albi, UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Albi,
Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
Albi, Lapérouse Museum.
Albi, Cathedral Ste Cécile.
On the banks of the Tarn river in south-west
France, the old city of Albi reflects the culmination
of a medieval architectural and urban ensemble.
Cathedral of Albi
Today the Old Bridge (Pont-Vieux), the Saint-Salvi
quarter and its church are testimony to its
initial development (10th -11th centuries).
Following the Albigensian Crusade against
the Cathar heretics (13th century) it became
a powerful episcopal city.
Built in a unique
southern French Gothic style from local brick
in characteristic red and orange colors, the
lofty fortified Cathedral (late 13th century)
dominates the city, demonstrating the power
regained by the Roman Catholic clergy.
Alongside
the Cathedral is the vast bishop's Palais de
la Berbie, overlooking the river and surrounded
by residential quarters that date back to the
Middle Ages.
The Episcopal City of Albi
forms a coherent and homogeneous ensemble of
monuments and quarters that has remained largely
unchanged over the centuries.
This cycling
holiday in Tarn starts on the quiet roads of
the Gaillac vineyards.
Gaillac
West of Albi. You then head North through
rolling countryside, visiting wonderfully preserved
fortified villages (Bastides), the
most famous of which is hill-top Cordes-sur-Ciel.
These walled settlements, with grid-pattern
streets and handsome squares, are now beautiful
reminders of the great conflicts of the Middle
Ages. More to North you will head to Najac the
famous fortress in Aveyron where you can even
bike to Villefranche de Rouergue in the 10 days
trip.
Click
here for some pictures of this cycling tour
in Tarn, Albi & Bastides
Light tour : 28 - 48 km a day. (longer distances
up to 70 km a day are possible).
Tours of
6 - 9 days superior accommodations (*** and
one or two ** hotels) and 5 options for an extension
in any of the regular hotels of this tour.
In some of the superior hotels of a less
known department (Tarn) of France we propose
a high quality cycling holiday tour. Medieval
villages with famous names and beautiful castles,
Gaillac vineyards, and the Gorges de l'Aveyron:
a light cycling tour made up to discover this
historically interesting part of France.
Accommodations: *** hotels, one Chambre d'Hôtes
de Charme with equal standard one **** BnB hotel
in Albi. The hotels chosen for this tour are
small nicely restored mansions in medieval village
of which 4 are labeled l'un des plus beau villages
de France: one of the 100 nicest villages of
France.
Good accessibility (railway) from the airport
of Toulouse and (UK travellers Ryanair) the
Airport of Rodez.
Cathedral of Albi and Museum
Toulouse Lautrec
Winding river valleys, empty roads with just
the occasional tractor. Gorgeous Gaillac wines,
plus the culture and old city of Albi, with
its museums and art galleries, its markets and
medieval city centre.
Albi is the perfect start of a holiday. Rolling
countryside, with half-timbered houses and the
walled 'Bastides'(Najac and Villefranche de
Rouergue) that go back to the time of the Plantagenet
Kings.
You will stay in **** hotel Antoine
in Albi, a night in Puycelsi or Bruniquel with
two castles from where you will go to St. Antonin
Noble Val. Najac ("L'un des plus beau villages
de France").
Villefranche de Rouergue will
be your destination if you take an extra day
in Najac.
For booking you go to our
booking form .
Find a trip
with the Filter Query
Cordes-sur-Ciel
Some pictures
of this cycling tour in Tarn, Albi & Bastides
|
