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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.
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
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