Tarn: A Green City Break Just 45 Minutes from Toulouse

Just 45 minutes from Toulouse by train or car, the Tarn offers the perfect short break combining outstanding heritage, unspoilt nature and sustainable travel experiences.

Albi: UNESCO-listed heritage meets riverside living

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, Albi's Episcopal City is renowned for its striking red-brick architecture, dominated by Sainte-Cécile Cathedral – the largest brick cathedral in the world and the largest painted cathedral in Europe (18,500 m² of frescoes).

Housed in the Palais de la Berbie, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum holds the world's largest public collection dedicated to the Albi-born artist.

Albi is also a green and vibrant town: riverside walks along the Tarn, stand-up paddleboarding beneath the cathedral and wine-tasting cruises on traditional gabarres showcase its relaxed southern lifestyle.

Castres & Mazamet: culture, gastronomy and adventure

In Castres, colourful houses lining the River Agout and the newly renovated Goya Museum – home to France's largest Hispanic art collection after the Louvre – add a distinctive cultural dimension.

Nearby, the Mazamet Himalayan footbridge (70 metres high, 120 metres long) links the town to the medieval village of Hautpoul, offering spectacular views. Close by, Villa Pinewood, awarded one Michelin star and a Green Star, celebrates hyper-local gastronomy within a 20 km radius.

Immersive nature

With 5,500 km of hiking trails, 180,000 hectares of woodland, 16 rivers and 14 lakes, the Tarn is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Highlights include:

• The Sidobre, Europe's largest granite massif

• Ambialet peninsula, the smallest isthmus in Europe

• The GR736 long-distance trail along the Tarn Valley

• Four greenways and the Véloccitanie cycling route

The destination also boasts one Regional Natural Park, seven “Green Stations” and four Blue Flag sites.

Bastide towns and vineyards

Medieval hilltop villages such as Cordes-sur-Ciel, Puycelsi, Penne, Castelnau-de-Montmiral and Lautrec – famed for its Label Rouge Pink Garlic and traditional pastel dye – offer timeless charm.

In Gaillac, a “Vineyards & Discoveries” certified destination, visitors can enjoy wine hikes and vineyard concerts.

The Tarn blends culture, nature and slow tourism, making it an inspiring and sustainable getaway in the heart of Occitanie.

Press contact
Valérie Boutet
valerie.boutet@tourisme-tarn.com
+33 (0)6 71 09 43 49
www.tourisme-tarn.com