Things to do and see while staying at La Maison des Amis
La Maison des Amis is a great place if you want to sit back, relax, read a book, sip a glass of wine, or just hang by the pool. But if you want to get out and about there is no shortage of things to do and see in the region. But where to start and what to do first?
We will go out on a limb and say that anyone who comes to the area must go and see Albi Cathedral. Even if this is not normally your thing, believe us - you do want to see it. The fact that it is the largest brick building in Europe gives you know idea of how impressive it really is.
After that, we will leave it up to you! The following list provides a far from exhaustive list (in no particular order) of things you could consider doing while staying at La Maison des Amis:
- Albi Cathedral
- Sauna and Massage - sometimes one just needs to relax!
- Visit the Local Markets - an essential ingredient of any visit to France!
- The Airbus Factory - tours can be organized in English
- Cap de Couverte - the leisure park of leisure parks!
- Le Cri De Tarzan - Adventure in the trees. Terrible name but comes very highly recommend for all levels, 6 levels of diffculty.
- Cite de l'espace - Toulouse's space museum
- Chemin de Fer Touristique du Tarn - narrow-gauge railway, starts at our house!
- Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, Albi
- La Fete - its France, there is at least one on in every region, every weekend
- Les Jardin Des Martels - spectacular ornamental garden & mini-farm across the road
- The Gaillac Vineyards
- The Millau Bridge (1 3/4 hrs) - its a little far but it reall is worth the trip! Check it out with the Roquefort Caves.
- Gorges du Tarn - its a day trip but worth the visit
- Local Wildlife - check out the varied and visible local wildlife
- Tarascon's Prehistoric Art Park and La Grotte de Niaux
- Le Labyrinthe des Merveilles Great fun for the kids!
We could not have a page on things to do and see without including a section on food and wine. Good food and wine are essential ingredients of any holiday and France knows how to serve it best.
We are not food writers so we won't over indulge. So just make sure we point you at our butcher and vegetable store in Lavaur, Lavaur's year-round saturday market, and the best fois gras in the region. And don't forget the cheese and wine, we tend to be knowledgeable in this area!
Less than 15 minutes away is Gaillac, the oldest wine growing region in France, originally planted by the Romans (what have the Romans ever done for us indeed!) and one of the most improved wine regions in France. It is not difficult to splash out to get a fine bottle of wine, but the real challenge is to find a thoroughly enjoyable bottle for €3 or €4. If interested we are happy to advise.
Not quite finally, a brief mention of local restaurants. Le Colvert tops the list for proximity, food and atmosphere, particularly when you get to eat outside under the incredibly well manicured chestnut tree - you will think you died and went to heaven! 3-course lunches start at €13, wonderful!
Very honorable mentions too must go to Le Jardin (you won't believe their deserts), and Christian and Evelyne's Pizza Bella, both in Lavaur. Every kid we know who has been to Pizza Bella rates it the best pizza ever, not to mention their spaghetti bologonaise, just ask 8 year old Finn from Ireland what he thinks!
And now finally, it would be remiss of us not to mention that all museums in Toulouse are free on the first sunday of every month. Who says the french tax payer doesn't get value for money!
