Cordes-sur-Ciel
If you are holidaying in the Albi region then a visit to Cordes is an absolute must. No matter which direction you come from, the sudden sight of the town built high on top of an isolated knoll, will always take your breath away. If you visit early or late season you may be lucky enough to see why it was renamed in 1993, from Cordes to Cordes-sur-Ciel. Low cloud and mist often shroud the valleys in this area and at this time Cordes appears above the mist and seems to float in the sky, bathed in sunlight.
Cordes is a large and amazingly well preserved bastide with dozens of narrow streets to explore. For the photographer there are photo opportunities at every turn of a corner as gothic archways frame beautiful timber framed buildings.
Sadly, unlike many of the smaller bastides in the area, you usually have to share Cordes with a wealth of tourists. If you do get the chance to go off-season though, you can find quiet times where it is easier to view and appreciate the architecture without the crowds.
Shopping
If you love local art and craft shops then you will be totally spoilt in Cordes. There is just about every type of Potter, Artisit, Glassmaker you could imagine crowded into this little town and it is very rare for our guests to return home without a picture, painting or sculpture to take home as their holiday memento.
Places to Visit
Spoilt for choice, a few you might like to try are: The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art which also houses an embroidery exhibition; the Charles-Portal Art and History museum which focuses on the history of Cordes through the ages; Historma, with its 80+ wax models depicting life for the middle classes in the middle-ages; and for those with a sweet tooth a visit to the Musée de L’Art du Sucre is an absolute must.
Cordes sur Ciel Festivals
There are numerous festivals held throughout the season some of which literally take over the town. A fun one for all the family is the Medieval Festival of the Grand Fauconnier where visiters are encouraged to join in the fun by dressing in medieval costume and then enjoying the spectacles of street theatre, demonstrations of medieval crafts and also see local birds of prey. For music lovers then the Classical Music Festival is a must, with concerts held throughout the town in exquisite settings. Children tend to really love the Jousting Tournaments held on the outskirts of the town where they can cheer on their favourite.
Eating Out
Cordes-sur-Ciel is an excellent place to eat out – either enjoying a cheap and cheerful lunch under the shade in one of the two central squares or choosing a more sophisticated option in one of the many restaurants available. For a really romantic evening meal you can’t beat the atmosphere in Cordes at night and there are a lot to choose from, perhaps a special meal in the Michelin acclaimed LeGrand Ecuyer,or maybe even a medieval banquet at l’Escuelle des Chevaliers.
Parking
There are many designated parking areas in and around Cordes but if you are not careful some can leave you with quite a hike to appreciate the old town. During the summer months our preference is to park just inside the newer town boundary and head for the central square. From here you can pick up the little tourist train which will take you up the back streets and drop you off at the entrance gate to the citadel, then you have the choice to either slowly meander through the old town and back down the steep cobbled streets to your car, or pick the train back up again and get dropped off at your starting point. Either way, good walking shoes (not high heels) are recommended for tackling the cobbles.
Our girls love to visit Cordes and we have to head there whenever someone new comes to stay. It is a great day out for any member of the family.
Nearby
A little way north of Cordes-sur-Ciel at Ginals is the attractive 12th century Beaulieu Abbey.
thanks to Jamie Henderson for the photo!
Visit Cordes-sur-Ciel (Midi-Pyrenees, Tarn) travel, gites and hotels
Best Prices on Hotels in Cordes-sur-Ciel - Guaranteed
(see guarantee details) Reserve online, pay at the hotel
The Cordes-sur-Ciel hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Cordes-sur-Ciel is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Midi-Pyrenees gites for Cordes-sur-Ciel holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Midi-Pyrenees Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: Places to Stay near Cordes-sur-Ciel VisitSee Visit Cordes-sur-Ciel for places to visit near Cordes-sur-Ciel including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Cordes-sur-Ciel in our Midi-Pyrenees forum Airports near Cordes-sur-CielCarcassonne airport at 101 km Rodez airport at 69 km Toulouse airport at 81 km Cordes-sur-Ciel property for saleSee Midi-Pyrenees property for sale
|
|
||||||||||||
Places to visit near Cordes-sur-Ciel, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Cordes-sur-Ciel.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
26 km: Albi (Town in the Tarn) 19 km: Gaillac (Town, abbey and vineyards) 17 km: Najac (Most beautiful village) 24 km: Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (picturesque village)
See also Cordes-sur-Ciel (version Francais)
