Albi

Albi is the capital of the Department of Tarn in Occitanie in southwest France. It is 75 km northeast of Toulouse.

Understand

Tarn River in Albi seen from the old bridge to the west.

Albi is probably best-known as the birthplace of the painter and illustrator, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. But at least equally relevant to travellers is the Cité épiscopale, an intact set of Mediaeval buildings surrounding the cathedral that was recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2010.

The Albigensian Crusade in the 13th century was named for this town which had many of the Cathars that the Church considered heretics.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is in Toulouse.

By train

TER trains depart hourly from Toulouse, 1hr, from €5 (as of Oct 2023). You can check schedules on the SNCF website.

• 1 Albi-Ville railway station (Gare d'Albi-Ville), Place Stalingrad. (updated Nov 2020)
• 2 Albi-Madeleine railway station (Gare d'Albi-Madeleine). (updated Nov 2020)

See

Choir and choir screen of the cathedral

• 1 Albi Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile), 5 Boulevard Général Sibille. This beautiful and impressive fortified cathedral was designed to express a renewal in orthodox Catholicism after the Cathar heresy, which had been centred in the area and whose bloody suppression by the Inquisition was largely complete at the time construction began in 1287. The edifice is primarily a brick Gothic construction, but there is a door by Dominique de Florence (Dominick of Florence) and there are also Italian Renaissance frescoes on the ceiling. Its organ dates from the 18th century. (updated Nov 2020)
• 2 The Berbie Palace (Palais de la Berbie), 4 Rue de la Temporalité. (updated Nov 2020)
• 3 Toulouse-Lautrec museum (Musée Toulouse-Lautrec) (Within The Berbie Palace). Jan-Mar Nov Dec: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:30; Apr May Oct June 1-20: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00; June 21st-Sep: 09:00-18:00; closed Tuesdays; Oct-Mar. Palace gardens: Apr-Sep: 08:00-19:00; Oct-Mar: 08:00-18:00. Art museum dedicated mainly to the work of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864 – 1901) who was born in Albi. Includes the 31 posters he designed, paintings, drawings and lithographs. Adult €10, family €21, child up to €13, extra fees for special exhibitions. (updated Nov 2020)
• 4 Old bridge (Le pont vieux). Constructed between 1035 and 1042. (updated Nov 2020)
• Old windmills. 

Do

Albi Savings Bank

• Rugby league: Albi Tigers play in Elite 1, the top French tier for 13-a-side rugby. Their home ground is Stade Mazicou (capacity 5000) 2 km north of town centre. The playing season is Sept-April.

Eat

Budget

• 1 Café de la Prefecture, 16 Lices Georges Pompidou. Brasserie (updated Feb 2023)
• 2 La Mie Câline, 6 Pl. du Vigan. (updated Feb 2023)
• 3 Nooï, 4 Rue Timbal. (updated Feb 2023)
• 4 L'Etoile d'Orient, 46 Rue Émile Grand. (updated Feb 2023)
• 5 Crêperie - Crep'o'rama, 36 Rue Émile Grand. (updated Feb 2023)
• 6 Tacos Avenue, 2 Rue Mariès. (updated Feb 2023)
• 7 Le Sultan, 54 Rue Séré de Rivières. (updated Feb 2023)

Mid-range

• 8 Le Lautrec, 13-15 Rue Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, ☏ +33 5 63 54 86 55. (updated Feb 2023)
• 9 La Fourchette Adroite, 7 Place de l'Archevêché, ☏ +33 5 63 49 77 81. French cuisine (updated Feb 2023)
• 10 Restaurant le Bruit en Cuisine, 22 Rue de la Souque. French cuisine (updated Feb 2023)
• 11 Restaurant Le Pont du Tarn, 3 Rue de la Grand Côté. Haute French (updated Feb 2023)
• Pizzeria Del Duomo, 11 Place Sainte Cecile. (updated May 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Brasserie Du Parc, 3 Av. du Parc, ☏ +33 5 63 54 12 80. some staff speak English and Spanish. Dinner, bed & breakfast packages available - phone for details from €60. (updated Nov 2024)
• 2 Hotel Alchimy, 10-12 Place Du Palais, ☏ +33 5 63 76 18 18. 10 room boutique hotel from €160. (updated Nov 2024)