Discovering Albi

Albi

Colour is the first thing that strikes visitors arriving in Albi because the urban landscape is homogeneous in its predominant use of brick, giving the town a colour scheme that is warm and full of life. From the timbered houses with brick infill to the housefronts rendered in the yellowish beige of the 19th century, not forgetting the beautiful Renaissance mansions built of high quality carefully pointed brickwork, Albi fully deserves the nickname sometimes given to it, the « red town ».

Under the bright sunshine of the summer months, the town is dressed in fiery coulours. In fact, the vibrations in the overheated air, the tile roofs and the slender, dark outlines of the cypress trees are very reminiscent of Tuscany. The powerful, timeless architecture of Sainte-Cécile Cathedral and La Berbie Palace, the delightful streets that are ideal for a gentle stroll, and the excellent regional food washed down with wines from the Gaillac area attract tourists and persuade them to stay for a while.

Since July 2010, the episcopal city of Albi is a World Heritage site.