Cradle of the vineyard, Gaillac is the second city of the Albigeois. It owes its development to pastel, wine and river trade. It was the scene of the Albigensian Crusade, the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. Today, it is a city where life is good, between the wine culture, the surrounding countryside and the summer festivities.
From the abbey to the vineyards
Gaillac grew with its abbey. The monastery was ceded to the Benedictines by the Bishop of Albi in the 10the century marks the birth of the city and the beginning of the development of its vineyard.
Start the walk from theSaint-Michel Abbey and let yourself be taken to the Quai Saint-Jacques district, the oldest district of the city, where the port was located from where the barges loaded with pastel and wine left to follow the course of the Tarn to the Gironde and the ports of the whole of Europe.
Then discover the Portanelle district, with its corbelled, half-timbered houses, made of raw or fired bricks and pebbles, typical of the architecture of the banks of the Tarn. You will then arrive at the Foucaud Castle which houses the Museum of Fine Arts et his Italian garden class.
Throughout your journey, you will come across private mansions, witnesses to the past luxury, including the Hôtel Pierre de Brens, listed as a historic monument, the Saint-Pierre church which was the refuge of the Huguenots during the terrible wars of religion, or the Saint-André hospital built by the Count of Toulouse in the 17th century.e century.
The museums of Gaillac
The markets of Gaillac
Griffoul Square
This is the town's emblematic square, which notably hosts markets. The 16th century Griffoul fountain in the centre of the square is topped with a rooster (the historic emblem of the town and Gaillac wines) and 4 figures representing Silenus educating Bacchus.
Morning
Friday
Friday morning is the day of the main market. It takes over the streets, squares and halls of the city, which are adorned with a colorful and moving farandole around local producers, from market gardeners to cheesemakers, not forgetting wine producers.
Morning
Sunday
On Sunday morning, the Place du Griffoul once again hosts a small traditional market.
soir
Tuesday
On Tuesday evenings from 16:00 p.m. to 19:30 p.m., it's Noctambio, the organic market, on Place du Griffoul. There you'll find local seasonal products labeled Organic Agriculture or Nature & Progrès.
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Wines, gastronomy and the art of living
Gaillac has kept this soul of the South-West, where the taste of good food rhymes with quality of products and talented producers. It is here an art of living, a hedonistic pleasure that is willingly shared over a gizzard salad, a cheese platter or homemade tapas, a glass of red, rosé or white and sometimes even a few notes of music!
Our selection of restaurants in Gaillac
Gaillac wine tastings
The Wine House
The Maison des Vins located in the premises of the Saint-Michel abbey offers around a hundred references for sale, tastings and expert advice on how to best match Gaillac wines. The tourist office, located on Place de la Libération, can organize a road trip to selected winemakers who are happy to welcome you, to help you discover their estate and their products.
The festivities
Aperitif concerts
The abbey garden welcomes aperitif concerts on Friday evenings in summer, and many surrounding estates organize them in the heart of the vineyards to share friendly and festive moments.
The Wine Festival
Early August, the magnificent Foucaud park hosts the Wine Festival, a friendly moment, which is experienced as a family around the tasting and discovery stands, musical stages, games and other activities for young and old.
The scoop
On the third weekend of November, make way for the Primeur! The winegrowers open the doors of their cellars and invite you to discover the secrets of winemaking in addition to tasting the first wine of the year, the primeur!
Where to sleep in Gaillac?
