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Mazamet
The medieval village of Hautpoul is the historical
birthplace of Mazamet. It is perched 4kms from the
centre of town on the slopes of the Black Mountains
(Montagne Noire) looking down towards the town and
valley of l'Arnette.
You will find there the remains of the 5th century
Visigoth stronghold and the statue of Mary dominates
the entire area and is definitely worth a visit.
After the destruction of the Cathare Fortress of
Hautpoul in the 13th Century the inhabitants moved
down into the valley of l'Arnette developing a prosperous
textile industry.
Nowadays the old stony houses are where artisans
open their workshops and Hautpoul is alive again.
Take a rest under the shadow of a hundred year old
chestnut tree or just admire the panoramic view of
Mazamet from the old castle which overhangs the valley.
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Montagne-Noire |
From Hautpoul several hiking trails allow you to discover
the Black Mountains its forests of sweet chestnut trees
and spruces.
Mazamet itself is now a bustling market town and is the
gateway into the Languedoc Region. Once a producer of Tanning
and Leather goods this former commercial centre has now
relaxed into a close knit market town.
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Mazamet
Market |
There are open air markets held every
Tuesday and Saturday, with the occasional Fois Gras
Market visiting on Sunday's during the winter.
The centre provides many shops, bars and restaurants
amongst its tree lined streets, whilst on the outskirts
of the town you can find large supermarkets and
commercial centres.
The Montagne Noire regional park of the Haut-Languedoc
is marked by the diversity of vegetation due to
influences from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic
Ocean.
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In the Orb valley, you have a Mediterranean influence that
makes the mimosa bloom. A few miles west, due to a more
wet climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, beech trees
and epiceas are growing.
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Swimming is also available in a number of mountain
lakes, the two closest are Lac de Pradelle and Lac
du Montagne.
Le Lac de Pradelles (Pradelles Lake) located about
15kms from Mazamet provides swimming, tennis courts,
pedal boats, fantastic mountain air, stunning views
and yet is incredibly peaceful and completely unspoiled.
Lifeguards look over the small lake where children
and adults can swim out to the island. |
Lac
De Pradelles |
Lac du Montagne is altogether more organised! A larger
lake where the french spend their holidays and weekends.
Life guards are present and watch over the shallow waters
close to shore where there are wooden play structures shaped
like boats. At lunch time, there is a choice of restaurants
offering regular and fine french food. There are tennis
courts and mini golf as well as a lovely walk right around
the lake.
Sat above Mazamet is the plateau of Montagne Noir which
boasts four large lakes. Two; Le Laouzas and La Raviège,
have been fitted out for tourism, and the other two, Les
Saints-Peyres and Le Saut de Vezoles are still completely
wild.
These mountain lakes above Mazamet provide fantastic scenery
and a great place for outdoor sports and activities or to
walk and enjoy the country side. The Mazamet tourist office
provides all the information you would require during your
stay here. There are many walks around the town taking in
the many historical areas.
Birds are plentiful in the Montagne Noire region, it is
quite possible to see eagles soaring overhead along with
the more common birds like swifts, black redstarts (who
give a red flash from their tail when taking flight), the
multi coloured bee-eaters, hoopoes with their large crest,
many owls and often partridges running in the undergrowth.
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Mazamet
Golf Course |
For the more adventurous
there is Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Go-Karting,
Skiing, Swimming, Cycling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Wind
Surfing and Car Rallying events all held within reach
of your accommodation.
Mazamet also has a golf course. Located in a beautiful
valley with interesting views and challenging holes.
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Albi
The "red city" straddles both banks of the
Tarn River. The cathedral and the bridges spanning
the river are made of brick, as are most of the town's
buildings.
In the rosy glow of a setting sun, Albi often looks
as if it were in flames, a spectacular sight, earning
the town its nickname.
From the banks of the river is an enchanting view
of the medieval part of town, where you can take in
many intriguing sights. |
Albi
Cathedral |
Walking through the cobbled, winding streets of the old
city, you'll discover Renaissance courtyards, mansions,
and cloisters in an environment, that have remained unspoiled.
The town's history has been stormy. The fortified cathedral
that broods over the medieval center is a reminder of the
bloody struggle between the Roman Catholic Church and the
Cathars, a religious group the Church considered heretical.
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Interior
of Albi Cathedral |
The Cathedral Sainte Cecile dominates
Albi's skyline with an awe-inspiring presence. The
splendor of its workmanship, its thousand years of
history, and its sheer size (it is the largest brick
building in the world) all contribute to the magic
of your first glimpse of this wonder.
Fortified with ramparts and parapets, this cathedral
was built in 1282 by the lord bishop during the Crusade,
waged by the Church against the Cathars. The contrast
between the sober simplicity of the exterior and the
sumptuous decoration and detail inside is remarkable.
This is definitely not just another Cathedral.
Amongst the noteworthy features of the interior, the
most impressive is perhaps the gigantic mural of the
Last Judgement, painted by unknown Flemish artists
around 1475-1480. |
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At the end of the 12th century the
construction of splendid terraces and gardens of the
Palais De La Berbie began.
Dominated by the fortress and dungeons, as well as
the Basilica Sainte Cécile, these marvelous
gardens are planted in rare flora and flower compositions.
Along the elevated walkways that surround the gardens,
one can see many marbles statues, notably those depicting
Dionysius and the Four Seasons.
An enclosed archway and two belvederes enable the
visitor to sit, relax, and fully savor the gardens
and views. |
Gardens
of the Palais De La Berbie |
The town is also the birthplace of the famous painter
Toulouse-Lautrec and contains an important museum of his
works, more than 600 specimens. His family bequeathed the
works remaining in his studio.
Toulouse-Lautrec was born in Albi on November 24, 1864,
into a much-intermarried family of aristocrats whose ancestors
can be traced back to Charlemagne. He was the only surviving
child in a family probably genetically prone to pycnodysostosis,
a form of dwarfism, and skeletal disorders.
Despite his physical shortcomings, no one can debate the
titanic dimensions of Toulouse-Lautrec's art. He is best
known for his paintings, posters, and sketches of characters
in music halls and circuses. The museum also owns paintings
by Degas, Bonnard, Matisse, Utrillo, and Rouault.
Albi is a city of art and culture with constant series of
festivals, concerts, and theater, worthy of any world-class
center.
