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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.
Albi Cathedral
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.
Gaillac
Alongside Tarn River you go to Albi and aftre
you head North through rolling countryside,
visiting wonderfully preserved fortified villages
(em>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. On third day you bike on
the quiet roads of the Gaillac vineyards to
Puycelsi.
Click
here for some pictures of this cycling tour
in Tarn, Albi & Bastides
Albi Market
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'that
go back to the time of the Plantagenet Kings.
Easy to escape down meandering back roads and
not see a soul for hours.
You will stay in
**/*** hotel Les Pasteliers in Albi, a night
in Puycelsi or Bruniquel with its two castles
from where you will go to St. Antonin Noble
Val before the short stage to Cordes and a longer
stage of 62 km back to Plaisance.
For booking you go to our
booking form .
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