Local Area and Activities

Well, we chose this area not only for its undiscovered French feel but also the spectacular scenery. Le Tarn is also the home of the bastides (meaning colourful medieval hilltop villages). In fact there are 36 bastides in Le Tarn, along with fields of sunflowers and the lush rolling hills (similar to the Cotswolds in the UK).

The bastide circuit lies at the edge of LaCapelle and comprises most of the bastide towns, including the oldest and most impressive - Cordes sur Ciel, Penne and of course Puycelsi. LaCapelle is also the perfect starting point for the historian who wants to tread the paths of the Cathars or walkers that want to enjoy the GR46 route.

Each day you will find a typical French market in a bustling village, overflowing with the freshest, tastiest foods. This is farming country, so they rely on local produce that is seasonal, that's how it was intended. The proof is in the tasting. We can point you in the right direction for the local specialities, ranging from real Toulouse sausage to the villages' own honey and the colourful local livestock.

Puycelsi

Just 6 Kilometres away is the bastide of Puycelsi with restaurants, local shop, tourist office and a small hotel. 5 minutes drive is the village of Castelnau de Montmiral, with a petit market square with weekly market.

Gaillac is the main town in the area, offering supermarkets and all major outlets.

Only 30 minutes east is our prefecture, capital city of Le Tarn, Albi. A beautiful city boasting the most spectacular cathedral. You can sample the many delicious bistros or wander through the ancient cobbled alleyways that guide you around the city, or visit the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, as this was his birth place.

Albi

Toulouse is 45 minutes drive and is the capital of the Midi-Pyrenees. It's the fastest growing city in France, and offers like other European cities something for all - great restaurants, markets and shops. And there is also:

-	Place Capitole - Huge classical town hall in the heart of Toulouse's medieval quarter.
-	Donjon du Capitole - 16th C. fortified tower, now the tourist office.
-	Basilique St. Sernin - Largest Romanesque basilica in France, exceptional 11th C. marble reliefs, magnificent 13th C. octagonal tower.
-	Cite de l'Espace - Space museum and planetarium, great interactive displays, replicas of MIR space station and Ariane 5.
-	Hotel Assezat - Ornate Toulousan pink brick mansion housing works by Monet, Matisse and Picasso.
-	Pont Neuf - Beautiful arched bridge over the Garonne river. Musee des Augustins - Outstanding collections of paintings, Romanesque and Gothic sculpture in Augustinian priory. Eglise des Jacobins - Huge fortress-like Gothic church.

Activities

With 117 celebrated vineyards within the Gaillac region this is a must for the wine enthusiast or for someone just sampling the tastes of the South of France.

10 kilometres from LaCapelle are the Gorges de L'Aveyron, famous for its kayaking and canoeing trials.

Throughout the summer you can hire a boat and enjoy the trip from the village of St Antonin Noble Val through to Cazals, then stop and have a picnic (which we can provide).

The Base de Loisirs is 3 minutes drive and offers a huge leisure lake, ideal for a change from the swimming pool. There are many activities on offer including boating, fishing, crazy golf and water slides.

Local stables will take you riding! “Go to the Tarn Valley: Country France at its equestrian best, the Tarn is the best place to canter a week away” as quoted in The Sunday Times Travel Section.

Or visit the Millau Viaduct , completed January 2005, which has the highest bridge piers in world, thus the title of the Highest Bridge in the World, the tallest will be 240 meters high.

We are on hand to assist with any arrangements or questions you may have.