Lisle-sur-Tarn is a town in Tarn, in the Occitanie region, 30 km south-west of Albi, and bordering Gaillac to the east.
Its vast territory of 86 km² is bordered to the south-east by the course of the Tarn, and is moreover crossed by several of its tributaries such as the Riou Fraizy and the Tescou on which the Sivens dam had been planned.
As for the landscapes, a large part of the land is dedicated to the vineyard (production of Gaillac appellation wines), and to the north, the Sivens forest and its wetlands occupy some 600 hectares, two thirds of which are in the same commune. by Lisle-sur-Tarn.
The locality itself, on the edge of the river, was created in the 13th century in the form of a bastide, that is to say a new town surrounded by walls and ditches. It thus succeeded a fortified village on the site of Montaigut, the ramparts of which had been dismantled after the crusade against the Albigenses, which had caused the inhabitants to flee.
Led by consuls during the Middle Ages, built according to a checkerboard plan around a vast central square, the town has retained its original charm today. Labeled Petite Cité de Caractère, with nearly 4,700 inhabitants, Lisle-sur-Tarn offers visitors and holidaymakers a preserved environment and a range of first-rate sports or cultural leisure activities.
In terms of heritage, the historic center of the bastide constitutes as such the jewel of the locality with its vast central square of more than 4400 m², lined with houses with brick or half-timbered facades, and equipped with arcades. picturesque (the cutlery).
The streets that meet there once delimited the four districts of the new town. In the center of this magnificent square planted with trees, stands the Griffoul fountain, donated by the Count of Toulouse to the foundation of the city. On the circumference of its tank, are juxtaposed carved symbols, the Occitan cross and the fleur-de-lys, marking the rediscovered union of the county and the kingdom of France. A brass shaft and a bronze shaft were added in the 17th century. The fountain, protected as historical monuments, should benefit from a short-term restoration.
Also worth seeing is the Notre-Dame de la Jonquière church, built in the 13th and 14th centuries, also listed. Its square and then octagonal bell tower ends with a spire which culminates at 50 m in height. The Southern Gothic style architecture is typical of the Tolosano-Albigensian tradition. Inside, the church houses rich furniture, some of which comes from the chapel of the Augustins in Toulouse.
After discovering the bastide, it is easy to continue with a visit to two museums with very different vocations, located in the centre.
First of all, the Raymond-Lafage museum, named after an engraver and draftsman native of Lisle-sur-Tarn (1656-1684), some of whose works are kept in this establishment created in 1890. Its fund also includes a collection archeology, 17th and 19th century glassworks known as Grésigne, named after the nearby forest, or even paintings and sculptures by regional artists. In addition to its permanent collections, the museum presents a temporary exhibition in spring devoted to drawings and prints, in summer another dedicated to press cartoons and in autumn a final one to works evoking the theme of wine. Open from February to All Saints. Closed on Tuesdays. Admission: 3 and 4 euros. Information on +33 5 63 40 45 45.
In a completely different genre, the Art du Chocolat museum lets you discover the original works of master chocolatier Michel Thomaso-Defos, who collaborates with painters and sculptors. The visit includes a didactic part on the cultivation and processing of the cocoa bean and ends with a tasting. Chocolate workshops are also offered. Open everyday save Monday. Prices: €5 and €4 for children under 10. Information on +33 5 63 33 69 79.
In terms of "nature" sports and leisure, the base set up around Lake Bellevue, near the bastide, includes playgrounds, tennis court, fitness trail but also outdoor swimming pool. Excluding swimming, which is only allowed in summer, access open all year round. Information on +33 5 63 33 35 18.
For hiking enthusiasts, the territory is very rich in trails and themed routes. The opportunity for some to go through the tumulus of Saint-Salvy, a mound of earth where legend says that a megalith marks the burial of an English general, for others to discover beautiful wine estates (with tasting break possible)… The municipality and the tourist office have also marked out several paths, one of which, 65 km long, connects around ten chapels. It can be done in stages. The others vary from 9 to 15 km and pass through a number of hamlets and localities. Maps and information on +33 5 63 33 35 18 or 0805 400 828.
Finally, we will highlight the path connecting the bastide to the forest of Sivens, i.e. a 26 km loop.
The same of the forest deserves a long stage, 10 km north of the town. Managed by the Department, it was formerly the property of the Houillères du Midi, which obtained the wood necessary for the shoring of the galleries of the mines of Carmaux. Comprising deciduous and coniferous trees, but also a wetland of certain ecological richness, the forest is now proving to be a formidable green lung, particularly appreciated in summer. Trails also open to mountain bikers are laid out there, as well as playgrounds and picnic areas. On the initiative of the Departmental Council, finally, a house of the forest regularly offers thematic exhibitions, conferences and botanical outings or even storytelling walks. Information on +33 5 63 33 10 23.
For hikers, it is also possible to join the outings of the local club by contacting +33 5 63 40 48 63. Same thing for cyclists and mountain bikers by joining +33 6 03 48 58 24.
For tennis enthusiasts, reserve a court on +33 6 17 29 19 46 and for fishermen who want to take advantage of the Tarn or its tributaries, contact the local association on +33 6 17 29 19 46.
- Occitan Tuscany Tourist Office - Lisle-sur-Tarn Tourist Information Office:
- Address: Place Paul Saissac - In the courtyard of the Town Hall - 81310 Lisle-sur-Tarn.
- Tel. : 0805 400 828.
- Email: info@gaillac-bastides.com
- Tourist Office opening days and times:
- From May 1 to May 31: Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Exceptional closing on May 1st. On Sunday morning, find it at the stand in the market.
- From June 1 to June 30: Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. On Sunday morning, find it at the stand in the market.
- From July 1 to August 31: Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Sunday morning find him on the market with the 2cv.
- From September 1 to September 30: Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. On Sunday morning, find it at the stand in the market.
- From October 1 to April 30: Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Exceptional closures on January 1, November 1 and December 25.
