SEARCH HOTELS Destination Arrive 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Departure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Albi (about 50 000 inhabitants) is a town in southern France, in the French region of Midi-Pyrenees, capital town of the department of Tarn, it liess at the southwestern limit of the Massif Central, along the banks of the river Tarn at 75 km north east of Toulouse. Albi is the most important center of the Albigeois historical region, the city was founded in Roman times with the name of Albiga (Civitas Albigensium), but this was a modest settlement. Albi developed starting in 11th century with the construction of the Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) over the river Tarn, becoming a rich commercial center thanks to the tolls for using the bridge. In the thirteenth century, the struggles of religion raged France and also struck Albi where the Cathare (heretics from 12th and 13th century) movement was strong, which were also called Albigensians named by the city. Albi was annexed by France in 1229, and between 1450 and 1560 experienced a new period of prosperity thanks to the cultivation of Woad (Isatis tinctoria), a plant whose leaves are extracted the blue dye used a time for the dyeing cloth. The Renaissance architecture in the city shows the richness of merchants of time. Albi is the birthplace of painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and is home to a major museum dedicated to him, situated inside the Bishop's Palace (Palais de la Berbie). 

Main Attractions of Albi: The city retains valuable medieval monuments built for the most part in red brick, typical of the area, is Albi, along with Toulouse and Montauban, one of the capitals of brick red (brique languedocienne). Among the major attractions of the city is the Cathedral of St-Cécile, situated on a hill overlooking the river Tarn, a masterpiece of Southern Gothic style, one of the largest brick buildings in the world, began in 1282 it was completed in 1480, it is characterized by the strong contrast between the austere exterior and rich and sumptuous interior decoration. Noteworthy are: the Portal of the fourteenth century by Domenico di Firenze (Dominique de Florence), the Bell-tower of the 15th century high 78 meters; the Canopy of the front door of the sixteenth century, the frescoes of the vault, dating back to the sixteenth century, executed from artists of the Italian Renaissance; the huge painting of the Last Judgment (1474-1484); the dividing wall between the nave and the choir presents a beautiful decoration in Flamboyant Gothic style (Gothic flaming), decorated with polychrome statues; the organ finally is an eighteenth century work by Christophe Moucherel. Alongside the cathedral is the old Bishop's Palace (Palais de la Berbie), now the headquarters of the famous museum devoted to the painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, the building was built as the headquarters Archbishop in the 13th and 14th centuries, is a kind of fortress, with a massive square tower, inside in addition to the museum are to admire the French gardens of the seventeenth century, which has a magnificent view over the river. Among other attractions to report is the Old Bridge (Vieux Pont) dating to the eleventh century, it consists of 8 arches of a total length of 151 meters. Among the many merchant Renaissance palaces are Hôtel Reynès, Hôtel de Gorsse, Hôtel de Rivière. The Collegiate Church Saint-Salvi (Collégiale Saint-Salvi) is another interesting religious building of the thirteenth century, which presents architectural features ranging from Romanesque to Gothic. Among the more recent structures are the so-called Albigensians Mills (Moulins Albigeois) of the nineteenth century and the Covered Market (Marché Couvert) of the early twentieth century. 

Museums: There are two main museums: the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum and the Museum Lapérouse. The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum (Musée Toulouse-Lautrec), housed in the old Episcopal Palace (Palais de la Berbie), is dedicated to the famous impressionist painter, born in Albi, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, with more than 1000 paintings and drawings, houses the largest collection of artist works in the world. The Museum Lapérouse (Musée Lapérouse), is dedicated to the famous French explorer, Jean Francois de Galaup Lapérouse, born in Albi. The museum tells the story of his expedition ended tragically in 1788 in the waters of the island of Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands. Other museums in the city are the Museum of Sacred Art of the Treasury of the Cathedral (Trésor de la Cathédrale) and La Maison du Vieil Alby, devoted to local history. 

 

Climate in Albi:

Albi climate is temperate, with mild springs and autumns but rainy summers, and relatively dry winters. The minimum winter average temperatures is around 2°C, summer presents mild temperatures with average maximum around 29°C.