The main attraction here are the UNESCO World Heritage tapestries of the master weavers of Aubusson. It was a monk, Dom Robert, from the nearby Abbey of En Calcat, who revived the tradition in the early twentieth century.
In the new museum, located in the Abbey School, there are 60 stunning examples of his tapestries, featuring motifs inspired by nature, plus sketches and paintings. Other works by the Aubusson weavers are also featured and there’s an exhibit outlining the process of creating a tapestry.
Les Cammazes
In the southwestern end of the Tarn, in the Black Mountains, is the tiny village of Les Cammazes. It’s an unlikely UNESCO site but its claim to fame is the Rigole
de la Montagne, or Mountain Channel, which supplies water to the Canal du Midi.
It was built in 1666 by engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet and later modified to pass under the mountain through a vault designed and built by Vauban twenty years later. This 122m underground aqueduct has been recently restored and is open to the public. It’s not for the faint of heart as the pathway is dark and narrow, but armed with a torch, it’s a unique experience.
Useful Information
Tarn Tourisme: information on the region.
Albi Tourisme: information about the city.
Castres Tourisme: information about the city.
Hotels
Mercure Cité Episcopale Hotel overlooks the river in Albi.
Hotel Abbaye Ecole de Sorèze is inside the Abbey.
Villa de Mazamet luxury B&B, Mazamet
Restaurants
Restaurant Le Lautrec has regional fare opposite the painter’s birthplace in Albi.
La Table du Sommelier offers local wine pairings with each course in Albi.
La Part des Anges has a Michelin Bib Gourmand in Castres.
Les Collets Rouges is a stylish establishment inside Sorèze Abbey.
Le Salon de Vauban serves home grown produce in Les Cammazes.