| About the area |
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This is an unspoiled area of natural beauty here in the Tarn is about a day's drive from the Channel Ports or just one hour from Toulouse International airport (about 6 flights a day from the UK with BA & Easyjet). Additonally, there are now daily inexpensive flights to Rodez with Ryanair about an hour and a half away. On a wider perspective, the location is central to the Pyrénees, the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts all of which make for an interesting day away. This area of the Tarn is renowned for its many 'bastide' towns and villages. Of these, Cordes is perhaps the best known and  best example of this style of medieval fortified community. Dating from 1222, Cordes was founded by Raymond, Count of Toulouse during the turbulent years of the Albigensian Crusades.Today, the hill-top village of Cordes stands in its entirety, most of its buildings having been painstakingly restored by the artisans and artists who now live and work there. Cordes and its environs is also home to many restauranteurs (one restaurant has a coveted Michelin rosette). There are several fètes, spectacles, music festivals and general entertainments which take place in Cordes every summer. and of course it has it's own unmissable Market every Saturday morning. (picture on the home page). In addition to its historic importance, Cordes also has all the shops and services to sustain daily life (small supermarket, tabac, news agent, bank, post office, boulangerie/patisserie, boucherie and several bar/restaurants). Albi, "County Town" of the Tarn - pictured above right is full of interesting architecture, as well as one of the world's most comprehensive collections of the works of Toulouse Lautrec, great shops, abundent restaurants and of course the river which you can take a cruise down at certain times of the year.  The awesome stature of the 'Millau Suspension Bridge' is just a 11/2 to 2 hr drive from here and you really won't regret the effort. It is an amazing feat of engineering and is the largest of it's type in the world!Drive up to it, under it, over it and around it, take a light lunch in the pretty town of Millau beneath the bridge and drive home via 'Roquefort' where you can visit the caves and shops or do a tour and some tasting of this fine cheese. You can buy certain cheeses here that are not available anywhere else. This is a highly recommended day out. |