Family Holiday Rental in the Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees, France near Albi

Albi is a landmark for tourists in the South-West of France, 25 minutes from La Maison des Amis, Albi stands proudly on the banks of the river Tarn, bright in red bricks which symbolise the city marked by the slings and arrows of history, and the crusade against the Albigensians or Cathars.

It has a remarkable artistic and architectural heritage, the jewel of which is Sainte-Cécile Cathedral (13 th-16th C.); the largest brick building in the world.
An astonishing contrast between the outer rigour of its defensive architecture, and the inner riches of its sumptuous decoration. Built as a testimony to the Christian faith in the aftermath of the crusades against the Cathars or Albigians, this fortress cathedral is a masterpiece of Southern Gothic architecture. It is simply not to be missed!

Albi is also a city of talented citizens, from Toulouse-Lautrec to the explorer Lapérouse, where art and history stand side by side in one of the best preserved old towns in France, the” Vieil-Alby” (The Old Alby). The Toulouse-Lautrec museum is the most popular tourist attraction in the Tarn and absolutely worth a visit.

The old streets have been wonderfully pedestrianised. Stroll past boutiques, chocolate shops, wine merchants, lingerie and shoe shops, to the Place du Vigan, flanked by cafes for lunch, coffee and ice cream. The kids will love the fountain! And the carousel, as in all French towns, is always popular.