Albi Attractions
Albi, the chief town of the département of Tarn, lies above the left bank of the river Tarn some 80km/50mi north of Toulouse. Its most striking features are its massive medieval brick buildings, in particular the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace. Albi is a commercial and industrial town, with an old-established glass industry.
The town's name is of Celtic origin, and there was a Civitas Albiensium here before the Christian era. After suffering many vicissitudes under the Romans, the Visigoths and the Saracens Albi passed into the hands of Charles the Bald in 843. In the 13th century it gave its name to the Albigensians, a heretical Christian sect (also known as Cathars) which was almost completely wiped out in the Albigensian wars of 1209-1229. Thereafter the country of Alby was annexd by the French king. In 1678 the town became the see of an archbishop. Albi was the birthplace of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864- 1901).
The town's name is of Celtic origin, and there was a Civitas Albiensium here before the Christian era. After suffering many vicissitudes under the Romans, the Visigoths and the Saracens Albi passed into the hands of Charles the Bald in 843. In the 13th century it gave its name to the Albigensians, a heretical Christian sect (also known as Cathars) which was almost completely wiped out in the Albigensian wars of 1209-1229. Thereafter the country of Alby was annexd by the French king. In 1678 the town became the see of an archbishop. Albi was the birthplace of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864- 1901).
Festival of Music
This annual three-week festival runs from mid-July to early August and includes concerts by major symphonies, choral groups and chamber orchestras, as well as recitals by famous pianists. There are usually over 10 different events, taking place in venues such as the Berbie Palace, the St Cecile Cathedral and the Madeleine Church.
Place du Vigan
The center of Albi is the Place du Vigan. In Rue Timbal, which runs northwest from the square, is the Hôtel Reynè, a handsome Renaissance mansion built by a wealthy merchant family, with fine busts of Francis I and Eleanor of Austria in the courtyard. Facing it is the Pharmacie des Pénitents, a typical 16th C building. To the west of the Place du Vigan is the 16th C Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall).
Pont Vieux
A good general view of the Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral can be had from the Pont Vieux as well as from the Pont du 22-Aot farther upstream.
St Salvi
In Albi, the church of St-Salvi, built on the foundations of a Carolingian church, and the monastery to which it belonged were begun in the 11th C, but the work was interrupted by the Albigensian wars and continued into the 13th C. A number of capitals and the small apses in the choir still date from the Romanesque period. The lower part of the tower dates from the 11th C, the upper part, which shows Gothic influence, from the 14th. The cloister was added in the 13th C.
Albi Surroundings
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Cordes, France
The picturesque medieval town of Cordes was founded in the 13th C and retains much of its ancient charm.
St Michel
5km/3mi northeast of Albi, in Lescure, is the 11th C Benedictine church of St- Michel, with a finely carved doorway. It now houses a postcard museum.
