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Lautrec

Visit Lautrec (Midi-Pyrenees, France)

Lautrec is a village in the quiet countryside of the Tarn department (Midi-Pyrenees region) to the south of Albi and east of Toulouse. Within the 'Pays de Cocagne' it is officially recognised as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France'.

Exploring Lautrec

The village itself is medieval in origin with several buildings and monuments of interest from that period to discover as you explore. Start your visit in the central square in Lautrec, surrounded by half-timbered buildings and ground level arcades.

Particular highlights include:

• the 14th - 16th century Collegial Church of Saint-Remy with its impressive altar and organ;
• the 13th century entrance through the fortifications called the Porte de la Caussade, just one of several gateways that originally controlled access to the town;
• part of the 15th century market halls;
• on the lower edge of Lautrec you can see the (rebuilt) traditional washhouse for the village, in a very picturesque setting

In the streets around the historic village center there are lots more medieval houses, some in stone and some half-timbered, so be sure to take the time to explore. You can also visit an interesting restored workshop where traditional wooden shoes were made, and an exhibition of old tools upstairs from the workshop.

The Lautrec tourist office is in a 17th century benedictine convent next to the town hall (Rud du Mercadial) and can provide more information about forthcoming events and local walks - they suggest several different walks of varying lengths from 1 hour to 4 hours in duration and an ideal way to discover the village and surrounding countryside.

On the hill above Lautrec is a 17th century windmill (built on the site of a 14th century windmill). The windmill is open to the public (small entrance charge, closed winter) so that you can see the mill workings and how the flour was prepared here in centuries gone by.

Then at the top of the hill you can see the Salette Calvary - from here there are also lovely views across the countryside of the Agout Valley and the hills and mountains beyond.

Local claims to fame

The town is well known for being the home of the family of the artist Toulouse-Lautrec (the painter himself was born in Albi).

Lautrec is also renowned for the pink garlic (l'ail rose) produced in the surrounding region. If possible we suggest you visit the village on the first friday in August when an annual fete is held to celebrate this garlic.

Attractions in the region

There is a great deal to enjoy in the area around Lautrec including Castres, to see the riverfront houses and Goya museum, and the historical center of Albi. Toulouse is about 80 kilometres drive but one of our favourite towns in southern France and well worth a day trip.

Photos taken within 10 km

Address: Lautrec, Castres, Tarn, Midi-Pyrenees, 81440 || GPS: latitude 43.706944, longitude 2.139722

Map of Lautrec & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Revel 30km; La Pomarede 37km; Castelnau-de-Montmiral 39km; Saissac 39km; Cordes-sur-Ciel 42km; Brousse-le-Chateau 51km; Bruniquel 54km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Lautrec.
See Midi-Pyrenees and Tarn (the region and department for Lautrec) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Lautrec, France

• Jardin de l'Évêché - remarkable garden (14km)
• Albi - secteur sauvegarde (24km)
• Episcopal City, Albi - heritage site (25km)
• Jardin du palais de la Berbie - remarkable garden (25km)
• Parc Rochegude - remarkable garden (25km)
• Gaillac - recommended detour (29km)
• Revel - recommended detour (30km)
• Jardin des Martels - remarkable garden (30km)
• Jardin et parc du château de Loubens - remarkable garden (32km)
• Rabastens église Notre-Dame-du-Bourg (monuments on French pilgrim routes) - heritage site (36km)

The French version of this page is at Lautrec (Francais)