Brassac (Tarn) travel guide

Visit Brassac (Tarn) (Occitanie, France)

Note: this article refers to the small town of Brassac in the Tarn department, not the village of the same name to the west in the Tarn-et-Garonne department (see Brassac - Tarn-et-Garonne).

Brassac is a small town in the west of the Regional Natural Park of Haut-Languedoc and about 20 kilometres east of Castres.

Visiting Brassac

In truth Brassac itself might go unnoticed by visitors if it wasn't for one important monument in the town - the ancient bridge across the river Agout - and the surrounding countryside of the Sidobre region and the Monts de Lacaune are really the main attraction here.

The stone bridge dates from the 12th century and incorporates two large arches and two smaller arches, while the bridge itself is cobbled and includes passing places incorporated in the walls of the bridge. The bridge is for pedestrian use only (no cars).

The bridge at Brassac is one of the most lovely ancient bridges I have seen, made more interesting because earlier the same day we had visited the enormous modern Millau Bridge. It would be harder to imagine a larger contrast between two bridges and it is interesting to reflect on which is really the most beautiful of the two...

At either end of the bridge you can see the two castles in Brassac. The larger of the two, on the right bank, is now used as the town hall. There is also a guided trail through the town to ensure you see other points of interest such as the Church of Saint-Georges.

If possible try and visit Brassac in the first week of August when the town holds its annual five day festival.

Attractions near Brassac

Situated in the valley of the Agout river between the Sidobre region and the Monts de Lacaune, it is of course the surrounding natural highlights that are the attraction for visitors to Brassac.

The town is also an important base for mountain biking, including high level competitions that are held here, and several marked cycling trails are available to enthusiasts.

The forest covered Sidobre region is best known for the granite rock formation such as curiously shaped boulders and balancing rocks, and is the largest area of this type in Europe. The Sidobre rocks can be explored along marked paths.

The Monts de Lacaune region to the east of Brassac also attracts visitors, in particular to the three large (man-made) lakes in the region. From north-east to south-west these are Lake Laouzas, Lake Raviege and Lake Saints-Peyres. Lake Laouzas is the most developed for tourism, and Lake Saints-Peyres the least accessible, but all three lakes are attractive to explore and have leisure facilities.

You can find more travel ideas in the Tarn guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.