Attention budding explorers and collectors of good memories, we take you to discover the Gaillac region and its share of surprises. From the majestic church of Notre-Dame du Bourg to the grandiose square of Castelnau-de-Montmiral, passing by the mysterious fortified village of Puycelsi, discover these emblematic places of the Tarn which give all its charm to the region.
Distinguished and mysterious
The Gothic houses of Cordes sur Ciel
Perched on its hill, this fortified town, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, reaches for the clouds. Between ramparts and fortified gates, we read it as if it were a history book. Here, the memory of men resides in the stones. Like an open-air art collection, some details can be subtly observed in its cobbled streets, like the chimeras that make it so intriguing. The medieval fortified town can only be reached on foot; the car is sacrilege! Enriched by the leather and canvas trade, the merchants make Ropes on sky a jewel of Gothic Art from the end of the 13th century. Their sumptuous residences with Gothic facades still display today the wealth of the city dominating the Cérou valley.
Saint-Michel Abbey in Gaillac
The abbey is closed for renovations. It is scheduled to reopen in 2029.
It solemnly watches over Gaillac, this beautiful ochre-coloured building overlooking the Tarn. Witness to the history of the town, the Abbey of Saint-Michel contributed to the development of the Gaillac vineyard, which we owe in particular to the monks who settled there from the 10th century.
More of a museum or aperitif-concert team? There's something for everyone! Stroll through the museum's corridors set up in the cellars where barrels once aged, or enjoy a good glass of wine to the sound of guitars in the abbey gardens in summer, you'll discover this heritage rich in colors (and flavors) in your own way.
In praise of a summer atmosphere
The medieval square in Castelnau de Montmiral
Back to a time when people already enjoyed the good life and festivities on the arcaded square of Castelnau de Montmiral, a little gem of medieval architecture.
We love going there to stroll around the market every Tuesday morning, to enjoy a drink on a terrace or to sit on a bench and examine every detail of the facades: stone, wood and bricks intertwine like a patchwork of past eras.
In summer, the square comes alive as the sun sets for the Musicales. La dolce vita, southwestern version!
Dialogue between eras
The perched village of Puycelsi
Between valleys and forests, the road that leads to the fortified village of Puycelsi, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, is a journey in itself that will guide you to what is nicknamed "the fortress of the woods". Landscapes like paintings that make the like counters explode at sunset. The most motivated will climb to the village on foot; once at the top, the view is breathtaking! Stroll as you wish in the charming alleys or on the patrol path. Take a break in front of the ruins of the fortress and imagine yourself as a knight resisting the siege of the English in 1386.
It is said that to discourage the English, the people of Puycelsi made their only pig cry every day using a lance, making people believe that there was an abundance of food. The subterfuge worked!
With every glance, a new detail
The Place of Lisle-sur-Tarn
Your phone immortalizes the play of light and shadow between the arcades, while aerial photos convey the perfect geometry of this covered square in Lisle-sur-Tarn: the largest in the Southwest. We love to stroll there on Sundays at market time, for a little gourmet break or during festivities. We never stop looking up at the facades clad in red bricks and magnified by the designs of the corbels. Another curiosity: the Griffoul fountain, listed as a Historic Monument, which sits in the middle of the square: it was donated by Alphonse de Poitiers and Jeanne de Toulouse at the founding of the city.
Grandiose in every way
The Church of Our Lady of Bourg in Rabastens
Welcome to the charming village of Rabastens, where the majestic Notre-Dame du Bourg church has stood for over 700 years. Keep your eyes peeled, you can't miss it! In the heart of the village and a stone's throw from the Tarn, this former chapel, which has become a parish church, is located on the road to Santiago de Compostela. The exterior is magnificent, but you can't imagine the interior and its gilded frescoes. And if you're still not convinced, you should know that the Notre-Dame du Bourg church has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
Idle and perched life
The fortress of Penne
Look up, there you are! Experience an impressive face-to-face encounter with a masterpiece of medieval architecture: the Penne fortress. Perched at an altitude of 700 metres, like guardians of the Gorges de l'Aveyron, the Gaillac vineyard and the Grésigne forest, a few vestiges still resist. As you climb to the top of the cliff, witness a leap in time as masons and stonemasons work together to rebuild the citadel. Here, summer rhymes with festivity: archaeological digs, costumed and dramatised visits. Delve into the heart of the history of fortified castles, princes, princesses and knights.
Need of information ?
Office de Tourisme – Accueil mobile de Cordes sur Ciel au pied de la Cité
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