Albi

Albi has a history going back to the Bronze Age and was later a relatively unimportant Roman settlement.The 12th century saw the beginnings of the Cathar religion, combatted fiercely by the Pope and the King, and many Cathars met their end at the stake. After the Hundred Years' War and the Balck Death had taken their toll, the Middle Ages saw a revival of economic development and prosperity due to the cultivation and export of the plant Isatis Tinctoria which was used for dyeing of cloth. Today the town has one of the best preserved ancient town sectors in France and is the home of Le Palais de la Berbie which holds some of the most important works by Toulouse Lautrec. An exhibition of the artist's childhood can be visited at La Maison du Vieil Alby. Visit the Gothic cathedral of Saint-Cécile, and museums including the Musée d'Arts Sacré, and modern art at Art le Lait. There are two leisure lakes on the banks of the Tarn, and a large park in the heart of the town. Guided visits are offered by the Tourist Office.

Castres

Castres is a large town associated in the past with tanning, weaving and paper making. The old craftmens's houses can still be seen on the banks of the River Agout. There is a Saturday morning market. Visits include the 17th century Saint-Benoit Cathedral and the Baroque Eglise La Platé. Museums include The Goya Musuem and the Jean-Jaures Museum. The town has been awarded two stars for Villes Fleuries. Nearby is the 53 hectare Gourjade Park with 9 hole golf course, mini golf and a little train. There is also a municipal swimming pool in the town, an ice rink and a riding centre.

Cordes-sur-Ciel

A large town with plenty to offer the visitor. Therei s the Fête du Printemps in spring and in June, a gastronomic festival and music festival. The Museum of Modern & Comtemporary Art has a reception area with exhibitions of glass blowing, painting, mosaics, ceramics and photography. Other attractions include the Historama Museum with exhibits dating from the middle ages, and L'Art du Sucre museum. Outdoor pursuits include canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and fishing. The Jardin des Paradis has a wide variety of plant species and is open from May to early October.

Dourgne
In early spring Dourgne celebrates its annual Rosemary Festival, one of the oldest tradtional festivals in Languedoc which dates back 700 years. The town is in the foothills of the Montagne Noire and in or nearby there are walking trails, canyoning, mountain biking, climbing and acrobranch.

Graulhet

Graulhet is known for being a centre for tanning, both past and present. Visit the Maison des Métiers du Cuir for its leather workshops, and the Cité du Cuir where there are some outstanding examples of the leather workers' craft. The town also offers some medieval houses and streets in the Panessac area, and the church Notre Dame du Val d'Armour. Town amenities include a covered swimming pool, tennis courts, a skateboard park and a leisure centre. There are two marked walking routes, and the leisure lake Lac de Miqélour.

Labastide-Rouairoux
Situated in the Haut Languedoc National Park, at the foot of the Montagne Noire, Labastide-Rouairoux is a small town of approximately 1800 inhabitants. There are interesting "trompe d'oeil' shopfronts, a textile museum and a weekly market.

Labruguière
A town of approximately 5500 inhabitants, with an old part and a more modern centre. There is a twice weekly market, a photograph museum and a leisure park with fishing. The preserved natural site of Le Causse is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Lacaune-les-Bains

In the heart of the Haut Languedoc Regional National Park, Lacaune-les-Bains is about an hour from the coast. A paradise for nature lovers with walking routes, horse riding, mountain biking and in the winter, cross-country skiing. There are numerous lakes and streams for fishing. As the name suggests, the town is a spa and produces a very pure mineral water. It is also known for its local cured ham, and visitors can take a meat salting tour. There is a working textile mill open from 1st June - end of September, and the Calmels Arboretum offer a wide variety of trees. The town is surrounded by forests of mainly beech and oak. Local amenities include a skateboard park, boules pitch, public gardens and children's playground.

Lacaze
A small village of approximately 350 inhabitants, notable for its 16th century château. It is situated in the Gijou Valley which has plentiful steams with wild trout. The weekend following 15th August is the village fête, with concerts, meals and music.

Lautrec
Famous as the home of the artist Toulouse Lautrec, this is a charming village with a main square with a central well and surrounded by half timbered houses. Pink garlic is grown locally and the town hosts a garlic festival each year in August. Nearby is a working windmill, and the countryside around is a picturesque mix of fields and vienyards.

Les Cammazes

Les Cammazes is a small village of approximately 200 inhabitants, and there is a range of basic facilities. It is situated 45 minutes from the coast, and 25 minutes from medieval Carcassonne. An ideal spot for nature lovers, as it lies within the L'Aiguille Forest. For cyclists, 24 km of road is reserved for bikes and for walkers. There is a nearby equestrian centre, and a little further afield, Lac de Saint-Férreol provides water sports. The rivers and lakes around the town offer fishing for trout, pike and perch.

Lisle-sur-Tarn

A fortified town midway between Albi & Toulouse with a good range of amenities. There are fêtes most months of the year, and a wine fair in mid July. the municipal museum has artefacts dating from the Paleolithic era to the sixteenth century. There is a swimming pool, tennis and horseriding, and it makes a good base for wine tasting tours as it is surrounded by hillside vineyards. Nearby Bellevue Lake offers pedaloes and picnic areas. The Sivens Forest can be explored as it is part of the GR46 walking route, and for those interested in local crafts, the town has a good range of original works of art.

Mazamet

On the edge of the Languedoc National Park and one hour to the Mediterranean beaches and the ski slopes, Mazamet is an ideal location for exploring this beautiful region of France. The town has plenty of shops and restaurants, and markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays, as well as Foie Gras markets during the summer months. It is known for its production of leather goods. The Maison du Bois et du Jouets is an exhibition containing 1200 wooden toys, and information on the Montagne Noire. The nearby Lac des Montagnès has a sandy beach, picnic area, mini golf, fishing and children's games area. Good for walking, cycling and riding, both horse riding and donkeys.

Monesties
A medieval town between Cordes and Albi, surrounded by gently rolling hills, with full amenities, restaurants and summer fêtes. Visit the Chapelle St Jacques which is known for its statues, and the town museum.

Puilaurens
Puilaurens is a hamlet, known mostly for its Château which has its origins in the 10th century. The River Boulzane meanders its way through the hamlet and there are pretty walks along the banks.

Rabastens

Plenty to do and see for nature lovers in this pretty small town and the neighbouring village of Giroussens. The town has a museum, Le Musée du Pays Rabastinois, open Tuesday to Friday 10 - 12 and 2 - 6, and 3 - 6 on Saatuday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. The Lac des Auzerals (2 km away) offers fishing, picnic areas and walking trails. In the town is an open air municipal swimming pool, open from early July until the end of August, and tennis courts. Horse riding is available at Les Ecuries des Galop'ins, and at Giroussens are Les Jardins des Martels, a 3.5 hectare site with exotic plants, water garden, snack bar and a mini farm.

Salvagnac
Salvagnac is one of the eight bastide villages of this region, and dates back to the 13th century. The village has all basic amenities including a restaurant and is close to the GR47 walking route. There are many signposted paths for exploring the region on foot or by bike.

Sorèze-St-Férreol
A picturesque village with some medieval houses and narrow streets, and surrounded by beautiful hills. Visit the Abbaye-Ecole which houses the town's museum, or head to the nearby village of Durfort where there are craftsmen at work producing pewter, leather and copper goods for sale.

Vabre
Vabre is a small town of approximately 800 inhabitants, at the entry to the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut Languedoc. There is some beautiful countryside, and excellent walking trails and fishing opportunities.