Bastide of the 13the century, Lisle-sur-Tarn is ideally located halfway between Albi and Toulouse, on the banks of the Tarn and in the heart of the Gaillac vineyards. This privileged location, at the crossroads of river trade, favored its influence and development for centuries.
A country house on the water's edge
Although the port that made it rich during the time of river trade no longer exists (a statue of Lapérouse commemorates its location), Lisle-sur-Tarn nonetheless retains the splendor of those past centuries.
The architecture is typical of the bastides; the market square is central, the checkerboard plan organizes the streets, the blocks, the private mansions and the Notre-Dame de la Jonquière church completes the ensemble.
Lisle-sur-Tarn has retained the charm of its streets, its half-timbered facades, made of red bricks, corbelling and pountets (living room built between 2 buildings and overlooking the street). The market square, lined with shelters in welcoming shade, is the largest in the South-West. Finally, extend the walk to the Tarn: private mansions, shops, restaurants and half-timbered facades will guide your discovery of the city to the coolness of the river.
EnQuête(s), another way to discover Lisle-sur-Tarn
A glimpse into History
The term bastide often characterizes “new towns” created in the 13th centuryᵉ century by the will of a count, a king, a viscount or even an abbey.
Trade was booming at that time. The powerful probably wanted to develop the income from taxes to be paid by the inhabitants. But they contributed to a new development; lots were constituted, their destination preconfigured (commerce, housing, etc.), they were taxed in an identical way and specified by contract: it was like a small revolution!
The bastides are built on a predefined plan (which was never usually the case in the Middle Ages); this plan is designed to put the market square at the heart of the city and rationalize the urban space and its services. Even after many changes, the urban plan of the bastides is still very often preserved today. These are the beginnings of modern urban planning.
The square of Lisle-sur-Tarn
The central square is therefore emblematic of the history of the bastides, both architecturally and for economic, political and even religious reasons (the supreme power of the Church of Rome being no longer "central" in the organization of the city).
The square of Lisle-sur-Tarn is one of the largest covered squares of the Middle Ages in Occitania. It is magnificently preserved and one can appreciate the facades richly decorated with terracotta bricks, half-timbering, corbels and covered. When the Sunday morning market has not yet unpacked its joyful farandole of producers, colors and contagious conviviality, the shade of the covered offers a benevolent freshness for nonchalant strolls.
Highlights of Lisle-sur-Tarn
