Carbonne

Visit Carbonne, Midi-Pyrenees

Carbonne is a small town in the Haute-Garonne department of the Midi-Pyrenees, about 40 kilometres south of Toulouse. It is situated is on the Garonne river, at its confluence with the Arize river.

The tragic history of medieval Carbonne

Dating from the middle of the 12th century, the village was built on a bend in the river in an attractive location. Suffering from the same fate as many villages in the southwest of France at that time the original village at Carbonne was ransacked by Simon de Montfort in 1244 as part of the crusade against the cathars.

It was 12 years later that people returned when one of the first bastides was constructed here. The Black Prince and the Hundred Years war came next, and again the village was more or less destroyed. After 1356, the monks who had originally established Carbonne resettled, and a new, fortified, bastide town was constructed a little to the north of the original village.

Exploring Carbonne

Carbonne remains an attractive village, with buildings constructed in the typical style of the region using thin red bricks and white stone.

The 13th century Church of Saint Laurent has an impressive gilded altarpiece and the 19th century market hall is another place of interest, using ironwork instead of wood for its carpentry work, a trend that was fashionable in 19th century France and inspired by similar structures in Paris designed by Gustave Eiffel.

There are also three interesting historical towers in Carbonne including the Tower of the Governor's House and the Colombier de Grilhon, both dating from the 16th century and octagonal in shape with decorative roofs (a colombier is a tower historically used for raising pigeons).

The stone bridge over the river, constructed in the late 18th century, has nice views across the town and along the river banks.

Finally don't miss the garden of the Abbal Museum, or the museum itself which has some interesting sculptures by André Abbal, a sculptor from the village who was active in the early 20th century. Carbonne now has a reputation as a village that attracts various artists and artisans.

Tourist classifications for Carbonne: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*;

Suggested places to visit near Carbonne, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Toulouse 39km; Foix 48km; Montmaurin Gallo-Roman Villa 48km; Mont d'Astarac 53km; Mirepoix 57km; Castelnaudary 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Carbonne

Carbonne tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Pyrenees Ariegeoises - regional natural parc (37km) : Jardin Royal de Toulouse - remarkable garden (38km) : Jardin japonais de Toulouse - remarkable garden (39km) : Parc aux Bambous - remarkable garden (46km) : Parc du château de Merville - remarkable garden (48km) : Jardin et parc du château de Larra - remarkable garden (49km) : Jardin de la poterie Hillen - remarkable garden (51km) : Jardin et parc du château de Loubens - remarkable garden (55km) :

French version: see Carbonne (Francais)