Family Holiday Rental in the Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees, South West France - Getting here

Final Approach From the A68 (Toulouse-Albi Autoroute)

Print this Google Map out before you travel.

If coming from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, follow signs for Albi but stick to the Albi signs that have blue, indicating the Autoroute, avoid the green RN (Route Nationale) signs to Albi, its a lot more pretty but considerably longer and more challenging to navigate.

Come off the A68 at Exit 7. Head in the direction of Giroussens (a right turn if coming from Toulouse, a left if coming from Albi). At 4kms from the A68 take the first turn right, signposted into Giroussens. When you come into the village, you will pass the C15th church on your left, followed quickly by a stunning panoramic view on your right.

Carry on and take the first right down a very steep hill (15% gradient), the road veers sharply to the right at the bottom of the hill. Shortly thereafter you will crossover the small narrow-gauge tourist railway. Immediately after the railway take a left, you are in farming country now. The road winds and twists a little - golden rule is - if in doubt stay/take the left (you will pass one right turn and one fork in the road where you are merging in from the left, before finally taking a sharp left when the road will start to rise up the hill again). Once the road starts to rise again, we are the third house on the left. Les Martels, you cant miss it!

By Air

Toulouse Airport

Toulouse Airport is only 30 minutes from Giroussens and is the closest International airport. It is well served by many airlines, including 'budget' airlines.

At the time of writing the following airlines fly from the UK and Ireland to Toulouse:

Aer Lingus fly from Dublin direct to Toulouse Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between March and October, and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday for the remainder of the year.

Easyjet and British Airways fly from London Gatwick to Toulouse on a daily basis.

FlyBe fly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey and Southhampton to Toulouse on a regular basis.

British Midlands offer a service from Manchester to Toulouse.

Check the Toulouse Airport website for the most up-to-date information.

Carcassonne Airport

Carcassonne Airport is situated just 4 kilometre's to the east of Carcassonne City, approximately 65 min's from Giroussens. Ryanair.com offer cheap flights from London Stanstead, Dublin and Brussels.

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By Sea

Arriving in France via Ferry, will leave a considerable journey by road but the roads down from the North provide pleasant scenery and a good chance to see the country.

Ferry Operators from Britain and Ireland to France and the North of Spain:

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By Car

The area is best explored by car, car hire is available from Toulouse and Carcassonne Airports.

Giroussens is situated on the A68 Autoroute between Toulouse and Albi, if arriving via one of France's many ferry ports we would suggest using the excellent Michelin Website to plan your journey, as a rough guide the following major towns are listed in approximate traveling times

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By Train

The nearest major train station is in Toulouse where a TGV (Train Grande Vitesse) goes regularly from Paris to Toulouse. Many other trains from all major cities of France also go to Toulouse. The Toulouse-Matabiau Station serves as a train station, a bus station and a metro station making it easy to access all forms of transportation.

The TGV from Paris to Toulouse takes 4 hours, from Marseille it also takes 4 hours, Bordeaux- 2 hours, and Nantes- 7 hours.

From Toulouse it is possible to get direct trains to Lavaur, more information from SNCF Website.