"Albi, la ville rouge." Top 5 Page for this destination Albi by kokoryko

Albi Travel Guide: 100 reviews and 322 photos

The view of the cathedral is just. . . .

I travel by car through central France at least twice a year, between Pau and my hidden den in the Forez and I like to change itineraries, to look at the beautiful countryside of Midi Pyrenees and Auvergne regions. Sometimes I drive at night, and, not having the landscapes, I stop in some city and enjoy the enlightened buildings. The view of the cathedral of Albi at night, dominating the old bridge over the Tarn River convinced me to make a longer stop, one day, and not just keep driving the 500 km winding roads between Pau and the Forez.
Well, it is literary licence: the roads are winding, really, but only in the Central Massif part of the journey. . . , I made a few stops in Albi, and, as I like that city a lot I share a bit here, with mainly street walks and visits to two wonderful religious buildings, one you see from very far, the other one you have to go of the beaten paths to discover it.

Update September 5th 2009 : on my last trip between Pau and Forez, I made a short stop for food in this beautiful city; that came out into 2 restaurant tips, a very “minty” tip and a very (!! I think!) useful “latrines” tip.

Occitania

Small streets

Albi, old city of Occitania, is, with Toulouse, a symbol of the south of France which had been invaded and subdued by the kings of France (France was only the north, Île de France at the time, Paris and surroundings) in the Middle Age, during the crusades against the Cathar heretics, a good pretext, with support of the Holy Catholic Church to subdue this territory; the crusades were named Albigeois crusades . . . . So, in the past, a symbol of resistance against the North and standardisation (official language, religion, vassalage to Paris. . . ), Albi is today a very pretty city, with its personality expressed mainly by the red colour of the bricks with which it has been built since the Middle Age, and the charming streets of the old city centre where you can see traces of history at every corner. Once you begin to stroll in the streets, you forget about the time going, forget about the rest of the world; you are very easily immersed in that city.

Not only the bricks are red!

Cloître St Salvy

Albi, la ville rouge (Albi, the red city) is famous for its cathedral, the Episcopal Palace, as the birthplace of famous painter Toulouse Lautrec (and the Toulouse Lautrec Museum), for its red colour in general. Red colour, but not only for the bricks of the houses and monuments, but also for political reasons, as the locals, since ages, are “left” oriented, and the small coal mines towns of the area are the cradle of the French Socialist movement with among others, Decazeville and Carmaux (birth place of Jean Jaures, greatest French socialist and pacifist figure of the beginning of the twentieth century). So, also a political red city!
Let us go to some beautiful places of this city, walk in the old streets during a rainy day (Exceptional! I mean the rain!. . . :-)) and see some architectural jewels, meet local celebrities, have a taste of deep southern central France.

Next time I pass through Albi, if it is day time, and the weather is good, I will make a few better photographs and take some time to walk along the Tarn River. . . :)

Last visit to Albi: Dec 2007
Intro Updated Sep 5, 2009
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Reviews (28)

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Bricks

Comments (11)

breughel May 11, 2010 at 7:36 AM Report Abuse

J'avais aimé les briques rouges de Toulouse, découvrir celles d'Albi serait un excellent but de voyage à la lecture de vos commentaires.
deecat Dec 6, 2009 at 3:58 PM Report Abuse

Oh, so marvelous! Your emphasis on architecture is fantastic. All photos are extraordinary, especially the night shots. Loved information about bricks, cloister, cathedral, trompe-l ceil, and LOL about Fontaine Verdusse.
hquittner Sep 28, 2009 at 7:39 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for visiting my Beauvais pages. I am about to post some tips here buit will be difficult to add information beyond what you have written. Your fine pictures reveal what there is to see while mine will only illustrate things to look at. Merci.
Tijavi Sep 21, 2009 at 5:50 AM Report Abuse

"Premature perversity"....I like that. And sinners and hell and purgatory? And messy ice cream! Great page!
tiabunna Sep 6, 2009 at 4:47 PM Report Abuse

Excellent updates to this very enjoyable page, Hermann. I could spend an interesting day here, helped by ice creams and cheeses while following up on Cathars, the old town and churches, even Adm.de la Perouse!
mvtouring Sep 6, 2009 at 7:39 AM Report Abuse

What a stunning page. Great tips and photo's. ;-)
Nemorino Mar 3, 2009 at 4:37 AM Report Abuse

Fascinating tips on the architecture and artworks of this red brick city. Thanks for including the historical background of the crusades against the Cathars and the subjugation of this region, and for your tips on La Pérouse and Toulouse Lautrec.
TheWanderingCamel Feb 26, 2009 at 3:54 PM Report Abuse

What a fine page. We have really walked the ancient stone flags of Albi's churches and streets with you, Hermann. And an Australian connection too - La Perouse is a name well known here. leyle
Bwana_Brown Jan 31, 2009 at 4:20 AM Report Abuse

Wow, quite a gem of a city you found here! I really like the use of brick construction in Albi - as you say, it makes for some impressive structures! Ah, "Trompe-l’œil" is what those works of art are called. They reminded me of ones in Quebec City!
robertgaz Jan 20, 2009 at 3:52 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for directing us in your discovery of Sainte Cecile with your detailed descriptions!