Albi

Guide of Tarn

Travel Guide > France > Midi-Pyrénées > Tarn > Albi

Admirably situated at the edge of the Tarn river, old Albi forms a magnificent group of buildings with its brick-built fortified cathedral, its ancient episcopal palace and its old houses. Mixing brick and stone, Albi carries really well its nickname of the red city.

Masterpiece of the Southern Gothic style, the Sainte-Cécile cathedral is home to a rich decoration. Magnificent frescoes, gothic rood screen and statuary are to be contemplated there. Next to the cathedral, the Berbie palace, an ancient episcopal palace, is home to the Toulouse-Lautrec's work museum. This museum exhibits a large number of paintings of this artist born in Albi. With such a collection, the lovers of painting will be in heaven. The charming and very romantic gardens of the Berbie palace offer a beautiful view of the river and on the Pont-Vieux bridge.

A walk in the alleyways of the historic centre reveals the presence of beautiful old brick-built timber-framed houses, as well as Renaissance town houses, such as the Enjalbert house and the Reynès town house.