Tarn

The largely underrated Tarn département, which extends east of Toulouse, has no shortage of attractions, including Albi, which is blessed with one of the most striking cathedrals in France, and graceful Cordes-sur-Ciel. Further along the Tarn valley, Moissac and Montauban are well worth a detour for their architectural heritage.

Explore Tarn

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Tarn.

  • Museum

    Musée Toulouse-Lautrec

    Lodged inside the Palais de la Berbie (built in the early Middle Ages for the town's archbishop), this wonderful museum offers an overview of Albi's most…

  • Church

    Cathédrale Ste-Cécile

    Resembling a castle more than a cathedral, this formidable edifice in orange brick rises above Vieil Albi like an apparition. Its defensive walls hark…

  • Abbey

    Abbaye St-Pierre

    Rosy brick characteristic of the Toulouse area heightens the majesty of this abbey and its exceptional Romanesque cloister. Awarded Unesco World Heritage…

  • Museum

    Centre National et Musée Jean Jaurès

    If you’re wondering why almost every French town seems to have a ‘rue Jean Jaurès’, this museum has everything you need to know about the father of French…

  • Gallery

    Musée Ingres

    Montauban's main focus is this fine-arts museum, which centres on the work of the neoclassical painter (and accomplished violinist) Jean-Auguste-Dominique…

  • Museum

    Musée Goya

    This excellent gallery on the 1st floor of Castres' Hôtel de Ville has a collection of mostly Spanish art, including work by Picasso, Rusiñol, Velázquez…

  • Winery

    Maison des Vins

    This well-organised winegrowers' cooperative is a great place to get acquainted with Gaillac wines. It stocks about 100 local vintages. Friendly,…

  • Square

    Place Nationale

    In the historic upper town, all roads lead to this exquisite square, hemmed in on every side by magnificent double-vaulted arcades and tall pink buildings.

  • Museum

    Maison du Vieil Alby

    Lodged in a timber-framed medieval building, this museum houses a small exhibition on the city's history and its connections with Toulouse-Lautrec.

  • Church

    Collégiale & Cloître Saint-Salvi

    This delicate church is worth a look for its lovely 13th-century cloister whose columns are decorated with Gothic and Romanesque flourishes.

  • Bridge

    Pont Vieux

    This 19th-century bridge across the River Tarn provides a fine perspective over Albi's pink-bricked cathedral.

  • Museum

    Musée de Lapérouse

    This intriguing museum explores the adventures of Albi-born explorer Jean-François de Galaup (aka the Comte de Lapérouse), who made several pioneering…

  • Church

    Cathédrale Notre Dame de l'Assomption

    Hanging in Montauban’s 18th-century Cathédrale Notre Dame de l’Assomption is one of Ingres' masterpiece, Le Vœu de Louis XIII (1824), which depicts the…

  • Gardens

    Jardins des Paradis

    Feel stress melt away as you idle by frog-filled ponds and under shady palm trees in these sculpted flower gardens.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Tarn.

  • Activities