The Tarn department is located in the southwest of France.
In 2009, there were:
Steeped in history, from the Cathar era to the Industrial Revolution, the Tarn department has a rich heritage of fortified villages, castles, churches and museums.While the south-western houses are mostly stone-built, cities from the northwest of the department are often made of the local red brick, typical of the region.
The department is also known for its heritage of remarkably well-preserved bastides (fortified villages built in the 13th century to protect the population from the Wars of Religion). Famous bastides include:
Other renowned villages in the Tarn:
Many outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, canoeing and canyoneering can also be ways to discover the department and its landscapes.Tourists can also go swimming, fishing or sailing in the various lakes, either in the natural parks or in the rivers.
Close to Carmaux, Cap'Découverte, one of the greatest European leisure and adventure parks, located in a former open-sky mine, offers a wide range of activities: skiing or snowboarding on a synthetic track, swimming, biking, and such facilities as a luge track, a giant zip-line, a skate park, mini go-karts, a Mining Museum...
The Tarn offers golf courses for every level, from beginners to professional players. (see the Lasbordes Golf course in Albi).
Further South, the Regional nature park of Haut-Languedoc and the Sidobre, a 245-million-year-old granite plateau, are nice places for a relaxing stay.
From the Tarn Valley to the Monts de Lacaune and the Montagne Noire, you can discover the “Pays de Cocagne” from various angles: along with the stream, up in the air, among the trees, or with the many routes and GR Trails.
In Albi or in Castres, mini-cruises in barges inspired by the traditional wooden boats are a good way to discover the secrets of the Tarn and Agoût Rivers.
The Chemin de Fer Touristique du Tarn (CFTT), or “Tarn Light Railway”, organises trips in the countryside in an authentic steam train.
Several parks and gardens are visible throughout the department.
The 3,500 km of hiking trails of the department can be explored trekking, biking or on horseback, with several regional horse farms organising riding tours.
The Tarn offers a great diversity of cultural events. The Albi Carnival sets the tone in February and marks the kick-off of many festivals:
Other events :
The Grand Prix d'Albi takes place each year in September in the Circuit d'Albi-Le Sequestre.
The major family-oriented festivals and events in Tarn include:
The Tarn is known for its terroir cuisine, local gastronomy and regional products that include: the delicatessen of Lacaune, the Pink Garlic of Lautrec, Gaillac wines…
The Gaillac wine, one of the great wines of Southwest of France, is a testimony of the rich and authentic culture of the Midi Toulousain. Gaillac winemakers still use today the specific grape varieties and methods this millenary vineyard if famous for.
The Pink Garlic of Lautrec comes in the form of a bulb with cloves (or bulblets) of a beautiful pink color. Its long period of dormancy gives it exceptional natural features of dry conservation.
Pork is a local specialty in Lacaune, where many sorts of delicatessen are produced: famous varieties of ham, sausages, and typical meats such as the melsat and the bougnettes...
Tarn offers a wide range of institutions that can suit any kind of tourism and vacation plans: farmhouse inns, guest houses, bed and breakfast housing as well as campsites, hotels or Village Vacances…As of 2010 there were:
"Tourism and Handicap" is a national label created by the Ministère du Tourisme. The result of a close collaboration between user groups and tourism professionals, it certifies that the main resorts and tourist attractions are accessible to people with disabilities, regardless of their disability.Each site is subject to an inspection conducted by trained assessors for this purpose.
In Tarn, about thirty providers are already accredited (accommodations, museums, etc.).