Albi to Vabres-l’Abbaye

The temperature is on the rise again!  There was a need to get out early to visit Albi before the day heated up. And what a surprise! It was an after thought to spend time here, we are now glad we did. 

The gardens at the Berber Palace labelled “The Remarkable Gardens”. 

From the aire we walked into Albi, across the Pont-Vieux (Old Bridge) which  spans the Tarn River. From this vantage point the UNESCO listed Episcopal City is best presented. 

The very imposing Berber Palace and the vast red- brick Cathedral of St Cecilia dominate the skyline, as they do the city. Having crossed the bridge and entered the precincts of the Palace we came across The Remarkable Gardens. And what a lovely surprise! This old parade ground has now been turned into this classical garden. From the garden terraced walkway you get an amazing view of the Tarn. 

After we strolled around the beautiful terraced gardens, we  stepped next door to the vast red-brick Cathedral of  St Cecile, built in the aftermath of the Albigensian crusade in 1265 - a twenty year war by the Pope and the French Monarch against supposed heretics around this part of France - tens of thousands  were killed. The Cathedral was intended as a reminder to potential heretics that the Church meant business. 

The Berber Palace, the former Bishop’s Palace, was  built in the 13th Century - one of the oldest Bishop’s Palace in France. It is built more like a fortress than a Bishop’s residence - he had to do this because the people hated him and he had to defend himself. 

We wandered around the narrow alleyways with their half-timbered houses. The city is noted for its redness, with most of the building built from local red brick - even the cultivated farm soil is a deep burgundy. 

The day was starting to warm so it was time to walk back to the aire. Crossing the Pont-Vieux, thought to be the oldest medieval bridges in use in France, we noted that the arches were narrower at each end where the medieval drawbridges once stood. 

On returning to the van we had breakfast, cleaned the van and then departed for a Brico (hardware store) to get some bolts needed for our van. 

After this we drove on through the very scenic area of the Tarn to Vabres-l’Abbaye. The views across the valleys were quite outstanding. 

The temperature had climbed into the 30s so it was a relief to find the aire at Vabre-l’Abbaye had beautiful Plain Trees providing lots of shade!