📍 France

TARN: RED BRICK CATHEDRALS AND SKY-PERCHED VILLAGES

Red brick cathedral rises proud. Hilltop villages pierce the clouds. Wine flows through mountain valleys. Tarn's tradition breathes deep, fully customizable.

≈ 11
Days
308
Km
10
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Visit Albi and its brick cathedral, Toulouse-Lautrec museum, perched Cordes-sur-Ciel village, Gaillac vineyards and Castres. Tarn, brick cathedral and perched villages.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Albi

Albi - Photo 1Albi - Photo 2Albi - Photo 3Albi - Photo 4Albi - Photo 5Albi - Photo 6Albi - Photo 7Albi - Photo 8Albi - Photo 9Albi - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Berbie Palace.
2
Medieval city (Most Beautiful Villages).
3
Gothic houses.
🎯

Activities

→
Tarn.
→
Art craftsmen.
→
Wells.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 28.1 km
Travel time: 56min
2
Day

Cordes Sur Ciel

village hilltop cloud pierce

Cordes Sur Ciel - Photo 1Cordes Sur Ciel - Photo 2Cordes Sur Ciel - Photo 3Cordes Sur Ciel - Photo 4Cordes Sur Ciel - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Michel Abbey.
2
Goya Museum.
3
Saint-Benoît Cathedral.
🎯

Activities

→
Museum of Modern Art.
→
Gaillac vineyards (oldest in France).
→
Bishop's Palace Gardens.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 24.2 km
Travel time: 48min
3
Day

Gaillac

wine valley vineyard tradition

Gaillac - Photo 1Gaillac - Photo 2Gaillac - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Houses on the Agout.
2
Windmill.
3
Pink garlic.
🎯

Activities

→
Pink garlic market (August).
→
Bastide heritage.
→
Lacaune Mountains.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 55.8 km
Travel time: 56min
4
Day

Castres

wool heritage river bridge

Castres - Photo 1Castres - Photo 2Castres - Photo 3Castres - Photo 4Castres - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval bastide.
2
Central square.
3
Lacaune charcuterie.
🎯

Activities

→
Cured meats.
→
Montagne Noire.
→
Mazamet Footbridge.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 18.3 km
Travel time: 37min
5
Day

Lautrec

garlic hilltop village tradition

Lautrec - Photo 1Lautrec - Photo 2Lautrec - Photo 3Lautrec - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Fountain of the Pissers.
2
Museum of Old Lacaune.
3
Hautpoul (Cathar village).
4
House of Memories.
🎯

Activities

→
Textile heritage.
→
Monastic products.
→
Trails.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 11.9 km
Travel time: 24min
6
Day

Realmont

village bastide stone crown

Realmont - Photo 1Realmont - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
En Calcat Abbey (Benedictines).
2
Saint-Alain Cathedral.
3
Bishop's Garden.
🎯

Activities

→
Fat market (winter).
→
Agout.
→
Bastide heritage.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 53.4 km
Travel time: 53min
7
Day

Lacaune

spa village mountain healing

Lacaune - Photo 1Lacaune - Photo 2Lacaune - Photo 3Lacaune - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Lacaune charcuterie.
2
Fountain of the Pissers.
3
Museum of Old Lacaune.
🎯

Activities

→
Lacaune Mountains.
→
Hiking trails.
→
Cured meats.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 45.8 km
Travel time: 1h32
8
Day

Mazamet

wool town valley heritage

Mazamet - Photo 1Mazamet - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Hautpoul (Cathar village).
2
House of Memories.
3
Museum.
🎯

Activities

→
Montagne Noire.
→
Mazamet Footbridge.
→
Textile heritage.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 24.5 km
Travel time: 49min
9
Day

Dourgne

monastery silence mountain bell

Dourgne - Photo 1Dourgne - Photo 2Dourgne - Photo 3Dourgne - Photo 4Dourgne - Photo 5Dourgne - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
En Calcat Abbey (Benedictines).
2
Church.
3
Monastery.
🎯

Activities

→
Monastic products.
→
Montagne Noire.
→
Trails.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 45.6 km
Travel time: 1h31
10
Day

Lavaur

cathedral stone pastoral valley

Lavaur - Photo 1Lavaur - Photo 2Lavaur - Photo 3Lavaur - Photo 4Lavaur - Photo 5Lavaur - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Alain Cathedral.
2
Bishop's Garden.
3
Central square.
🎯

Activities

→
Fat market (winter).
→
Agout.
→
Medieval heritage.

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.