Castelnau-de-Montmiral travel guide
Visit Castelnau-de-Montmiral (Occitanie, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitThe village of Castelnau-de-Montmiral is situated along the crest of a hill above the valley of the Vère river in the countryside of the Tarn department (Midi-Pyrenees region), to the west of Albi and north-west of Gaillac.
The village was founded as one of many bastide towns in the region in 1222 by Raymond VII of Toulouse and is now classified among the most beautiful villages in France.
Exploring Castelnau-de-Montmiral
The centre of Castelnau-de-Montmiral, and the highlight of your visit, is the central square in the town - the Place des Arcades.
The square is largely surrounded by medieval houses with the original arcades at ground floor, and one of the most impressive of these medieval centres that we have seen. The Castelnau-de-Montmiral tourist office is also on this square.
A stone pillory on one corner of the village was the 'pilori' and used not only to tether animals before their sacrifice but also to tether adulteous woman and petty thieves!
Another historical monument is the Church of Notre Dame of the Assumption, with a 15th century altarpiece and a jewel encrusted cross that once belonged to the Counts of Armagnac, and a statue of the 'pieta'. The church has a lovely ceiling painted in a rich blue, white and gold design.
Two of the original 13th century gateways through the town ramparts can also still be seen in Castelnau-de-Montmirail, the most impressive being the Porte des Garrics, a fine example of military architecture dating back to the 13th century.
Wherever you wander throughout Castelnaud de Montmiral there are half-timbered medieval houses mixed with the stone houses and with the terracotta roofs and wooden shutters the whole village is beautiful.
Just beyond the church, at the edge of the village (the other side of the Place de la Rose) there is a statue of the Virgin Mary and a lovely view across the forests of the region.
The whole village is built on a promontory and the statue is out on one side of the promontory (called Pechmiral) meaning that not only do you get great views of the countryside but you can also look back and get some good views of the village.
At the other end of the village you can discover the area that was once home to the castle of Castelnau de Montmiral. The castle no longer exists and this is now the edge of Castelnau-de-Montmiral rather than the centre. This is another excellent viewpoint for views over the countryside.
Attractions nearby
The proximity of the town of Gaillac and the surrounding vineyards of Gaillac make the region around Castelanu-de-Montmiral an excellent destination for wine sampling and tourism.
Two other 'most beautiful villages of France are also close by at Puycelsi and Bruniquel.
You can find more travel ideas in the Tarn guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
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Map of Castelnau-de-Montmiral and places nearby
Visit near Castelnau-de-Montmiral with France This Way reviews
Vieux
The small village of Vieux was once one of the most important pilgrimage towns in the region
Vieux guide
Puycelsi
We particularly enjoyed the walk around the ramaparts in Puycelsi, one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'
Puycelsi guide
Gaillac
The historic centre of Gaillac and its riverside position make Gaillac a very enjoyable small town to discover
Gaillac guide
Lisle-sur-Tarn
Lisle-sur-Tarn is a pretty village on the banks of the Tarn river.
Lisle-sur-Tarn guide
Cordes-sur-Ciel
Cordes is certainly one of the most beautiful towns in France with a great deal of natural and historic beauty - and rather a lot of tourists!
Cordes-sur-Ciel guide
Bruniquel
The cobbled streets, numerous medieval buildings and the castle combine to make Bruniquel a very lovely village to explore
Bruniquel guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Tarn
Address: Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Albi, Midi-Pyrenees, 81140, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.966389, longitude 1.821667
Plan your visit to Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Tarn
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Gaillac: recommended detour (10 km)
- Jardin de Paradis: remarkable garden (15 km)
- Bruniquel: most beautiful village (16 km)
- Rabastens église Notre-Dame-du-Bourg (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (18 km)
- Jardin des Martels: remarkable garden (23 km)
- Jardins de Quercy: remarkable garden (25 km)
- Episcopal City, Albi: heritage site (26 km)
- Jardin du palais de la Berbie: remarkable garden (26 km)
- Parc Rochegude: remarkable garden (26 km)
- Albi: secteur sauvegarde (27 km)
- Beaulieu en Rouergue Abbey: national monument (27 km)
- Najac: town of art and history (31 km)
The French version of this page is at Castelnau-de-Montmiral (Francais)