Créé par Romane, le 20 juin 2026
Votre guide Ryo
What to see and visit around Albi in Tarn?
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Ideas for outings around Albi in Tarn are plentiful, the hardest part is choosing.
So we have put together just for you a little guide allowing you to discover villages, monuments, hikes and nature activities within 1 hour of Albi. What to do around Albi?
The tour of Tarn bastides
Let's go for a discovery of the little Tuscany of Tarn!
1 – Cordes-sur-Ciel "the pearl of bastides"
This medieval city is 30 minutes from Albi, more than 800 years of history await you in these typical medieval streets. On both sides of the street, you can admire these magnificent houses with carved facades, Gothic art is very present in this city. Gothic palaces, the Market Hall and its well, galleries and numerous craftsmen. To see:
- The Garden of Paradises, a cool place to dine or have a drink with exhibition rooms, children's play area and shop.
- Charles Portal Museum, the history of the village from prehistory to today, free admission.
- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in the Grand Falconer's house.
- Embroidery Museum, this place was the first embroidery factory.
- Museum of Sugar and Chocolate Arts: a permanent and unique exhibition in the world of masterpieces in sugar and chocolate, on themes such as the Middle Ages, mythology, tales and legends.
- Hike to Puech Gaubel to enjoy a magnificent viewpoint over the city.
The Grand Falconer medieval festival: medieval costumes, falconry shows, costumed banquet, fire show, archery contest... Relive the medieval era during this incredible festival.
2 – Gaillac
This is where the wine house is located, a place that traces the history of a millennial vineyard.
3 – Castelnau-de-Montmiral
Half-timbered houses and cobbled streets from the Middle Ages await you in this village that has resisted the ravages of numerous wars. The Notre-Dame church and its treasure: the reliquary Cross of the Counts of Armagnac adorned with 310 precious stones, you can only admire its magnificent altarpiece, the Christ in bonds, the pieta and the sublime frescoes...
4 – Puycelsi
Above the Vère valley, on a rocky plateau, this fortress is protected by 800 m of ramparts, a walkway offers a breathtaking view of the Grésigne forest below.
The 14th or 15th century houses are made of stone, wood and brick. The Saint-Corneille church is worth seeing for its baroque altarpiece and its well-preserved blue ceiling.
Info: many aperitif concerts are organized by winegrowers in the summer season, it would be a shame not to take advantage of them, inquire at the tourist offices!
The Tarn valley
Dive into the heart of fresh and verdant nature, about 70 km to do on foot, by canoe, with friends or family, going up the river to discover the meanders of Tarn. Architectural breaks, water activities and swimming are on the program.
1 – The peninsula of Ambialet
Its 4 churches, its priory, its hydroelectric plant and the narrowest isthmus in Europe. A hiking sheet available at the tourist office for €0.50 will allow you to discover all the wonders of this timeless village.
2 – Hiking trails starting from Ambialet
- The Cabannes trail 9 km, 2 h 45.
- The two Puechs trail 10.5 km, 3 h 45.
You will stroll through fields and woods, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Tarn Valley.
3 – Trébas beach
This green resort obtained the blue flag in 2010 as well as the quality eco label for river swimming, the site is supervised in July and August from 2:30 pm to 7 pm.
This leisure base offers several activities on site: book box, hiking, tennis, handball, basketball, pétanque, football, fishing, nature discovery trail...
As well as paid activities: canoe-kayak, paddle, inflatable games with the Oasis of Trébas.
Water bodies and aquatic base around Albi
1. Aqua Parc – Aiguelèze
2,000 m² of inflatable games installed on Tarn just 15 minutes from Albi, on the program: trampoline, giant slide, swing, aquatic volleyball court...
Canoe and kayak rental and Children's Club.
2. Aquaval – Lautrec
This leisure base offers a landscaped and supervised swimming area, paddling pool, children's pool, swimming pool, waterfalls and water slides, mini-golf, children's games, collective play areas, bowling green, fitness trail, shaded picnic areas, bar and fast food.
For fishing enthusiasts, the lake has obtained the "FNPF Family Fishing Trail" label.
3. Crok'Nature – Padiès
Water park, corn maze, mini-farm, straw pool, electric mountain bike, pétanque, collective sports, pedestrian trails and horseback riding. Enough to keep busy all day.
4. Lake Roucarié-Almayrac
A 35-hectare leisure base including wooded shores, greenery as far as the eye can see, fitness trail, games for children, sailing, rowing, pedal boats... Picnic areas with barbecue. Swimming is supervised from 1:30 pm to 7 pm.
Walk itineraries around Albi
150 km of paths and trails are available to visitors and hiking enthusiasts for all levels between countryside, woods, vineyards and green plains. 19 developed itineraries are offered on 14 communes. They are available on the agglomeration community portal: https://www.grand-albigeois.fr/329-balades.htm
Visits and museums, around Albi
1 – The Plant Castle
This is where you will find the unique production of woad (plantation, extraction, dyeing in the Cocagne country of Isatis Tinctoria). A site dedicated to plants, a rare know-how to discover.
2 – The Castelroc site
Discover medieval Occitania in the 13th century through this site that combines culture, learning and entertainment during themed visits.
3 – The Chocolate Art Museum
Art works and chocolate sculptures are permanently displayed in this museum, commented tasting of great chocolate vintages, chocolate library and chocolate-themed animation.
4 – Departmental mining museum – Cagnac les mines
Opening at the end of 2022 for this museum which remains the last testimony of coal mining in Tarn which lasted 700 years. 350 m of galleries, machines and tools show the work of underground miners and their living conditions.
5 – Cap'Découverte
Outdoor activities available on 680 hectares: 80 km of cycle paths, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, ski lift, paintball, paddle, sports fields, aero trampoline, towed buoy, water park, tubing + belly slide, rail luge, shows...
Other sites of interest:
- Château de Mauriac
- Château du Bosc
- Glass Center Museum in Carmaux (glassblower)
- The zoo of the 3 Valleys.
Visiting Albi, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site and its surroundings, means diving towards a destination where history, architecture, sports and sensory experiences blend for our greatest pleasure. Between the Sainte-Cécile Cathedral of Albi, the Toulouse Lautrec Museum and the adjacent Gardens of the Palais de la Berbie, its historic center, this city is an open-air museum and its surroundings are just as many jewels to discover without moderation.