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Gaillac

Visit Gaillac, Midi-Pyrenees

Gaillac is a historical town on the Tarn River 25km west of Albi and 50 km north-east of Toulouse, in the Tarn department of the Midi-Pyrenees. The town originally developed more than 1000 years ago after a benedictine monastery was constructed here.

More recently the fame of Gaillac has been built on the fame of the vineyards that surround the town - Gaillac wines are internationally held in very high regard, and you will have ample opportunity to sample and buy them on a visit to the town and the region.

Exploring Gaillac

Most of the places of interest in Gaillac are concentrated in a small area, along the banks of the Tarn River and around the abbey - the Tourist Office (with an excellent leaflet suggesting a route around the town centre), the Abbey Museum and the Maisons des Vins are all in the vicinity. But there are other interesting sights as well - museums, historical houses, parks - so allow time to explore elsewhere (roughly delimited by the ring of boulevards that surround the old town).

The most important monument in Gaillac is the Abbey Saint-Michael, with its origins in the 10th century, although it was substantially enhanced in the 13th and 16th centuries and renovated at the end of the 20th century. Adjacent to the abbey you can see some remnants of the buildings that were once associated with the abbey itself.

Among other notable buildings in Gaillac:

• the 19th century town hall, in a neo-classical style;
• the 15th century Hotel de Pierre de Brens, a grand townhouse built in the characteristic 'toulouse red brick';
• the 13th century Church of Saint Peter, with its ornately carved entry portal and the substantial hexagonal tower;
• several imposing townhouses from the 16th to 18th centuries such as the Hotel de Paulo, the Hotel Druilhet d'Yversen and the Hotel Fos de Laborde;
• the 17th century Chateau de Foucaud and its parkland of meticulously maintained gardens is just east of the town centre

There are interesting red-brick buildings and arcades around the Place du Griffoul, and many other properties constructed in the same red-brick as Toulouse and Albi around the city centre, often with interesting architectural highlights - among our favourites was the small carving of a horse on the wall of the 'Hostellerie du Cheval Blanc', reminding us that this was once a stopping point for the post riders.

Lastly, be sure to cross the bridge for the view back across the river and rooftops of Gaillac.

Maisons des Vins

The wine house is a great introduction to the Gaillac wines - we found the staff very helpful for us novices, and there is a very wide range of local wines for sale.

Gaillac Museums

Apart from the Museum of the Abbey mentioned above, other museums to visit include the Museum of Fine Arts (in the Chateau de Foucaud) and a Museum of Natural History.

Things to see near Gaillac

The Chateau de Mauriac is close by and has been fully renovated by an artist called Bernard Bistes who now uses the large open spaces to good effect in displaying his works of art. See more about the castle and artist at bistes.com.

If you head south east from Gaillac towards Toulouse, at Giroussens (about 40 km) is an extensive English style garden spread over 7 acres and with a wide and interesting range of plants and arrangements - the Jardins des Martels. Nearby you can also take a boat trip along the Tarn River, a lovely way to appreciate the scenery.

Tourist classifications for Gaillac: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Suggested places to visit near Gaillac, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Beaulieu en Rouergue Abbey 35km; Najac 36km; Castres 44km; Montauban 46km; Sauveterre-de-Rouergue 49km; Toulouse 49km; Revel 50km; Villefranche-de-Rouergue 51km; Brousse-le-Chateau 59km;

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

Gaillac tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin des Martels - remarkable garden (18km) : Jardin de Paradis - remarkable garden (19km) : Parc Rochegude - remarkable garden (20km) : Jardin du palais de la Berbie - remarkable garden (20km) : Jardins de Quercy - remarkable garden (32km) : Jardin et parc du château de Loubens - remarkable garden (37km) : Cayriech - ville fleurie 4* (42km) : Jardin de l'Évêché - remarkable garden (43km) :