Giroussens is a small village famous for its lead-glazed ceramics and also for the lovely gardens of the Jardins des Martels. Giroussens is located 40 kilometers north-east of Toulouse in the Tarn department of the Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrenees region.
Explore Giroussens
Whilst you have probably come to the village either for the Centre Ceramique de Giroussens or for the Jardins des Martels the village itself is pretty and warrants a look.
On the edge of the village is a viewpoint with lovely views over the river and valley below. The river bends here and you can see the attractive stone bridges on either side of the bend. One of the bridges carries the track for the "Chemin de Fer", a small tourist line with small steam trains which run from Saint-Lieux-les-Lavaur and travels to Les-Jardins-des-Martels.
Dominant in the village is the large church and also from the main square opposite the viewpoint you can see the four towers of the attractive chateau which sits behind the town.
Many of the buildings of the village are built in the pretty red brick of the area - also used in the beautiful nearby cities of Albi and Toulouse. Here and there stone houses are interspersed amongst the brick houses as well as occasional half-timber buildings.
Centre Ceramique de Giroussens
Giroussens has a history in the ceramics industry. In the 16th century there were 30 potters in the village and this number rose to more than 50 in the 17th and 18th century. The industry declined after that but a Ceramics Centre has now been opened in the village and each year houses different exhibitions of contemporary ceramics.
There is also a permanent collection of works by Lucie Bouniol and a shop selling many beautiful ceramics by more than 30 different ceramists.
The ceramics centre is open all year round except January to mid-February.
JaRdins des Martels
These lovely gardens can be found on the edge of the village and are well worth a visit. The Jardins des Martels covers 35000 m2 and includes colour-themed gardens, water gardens, exotic greenhouses and a mini farm. The Jardins des Martels is a garden we have visited on a couple of occasions and found it to be well worth a visit. The garden is open from April to the end of October.
Places to Visit Nearby
The pretty village of Lisle-sur-Tarn has a pretty river-side setting and lots of half-timber buildings to admire.
The town of Lavaur with its pretty high street and vestiges of its ancient ramparts is nearby.
Gaillac is a pretty town on the Tarn river and has a beautiful riverside setting and historical centre. It is also home to some very good wines with a good international reputation.
You can find more travel ideas in the Tarn guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
Photos of Giroussens
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Map of Giroussens and places nearby
Visit near Giroussens with France This Way reviews
The Jardin des Martels
The Jardins des Martels is a beautiful garden and mini-farm near Toulouse.
The Jardin des Martels guide
Lisle-sur-Tarn
Lisle-sur-Tarn is a pretty village on the banks of the Tarn river.
Lisle-sur-Tarn guide
Gaillac
The historic centre of Gaillac and its riverside position make Gaillac a very enjoyable small town to discover
Gaillac guide
Castelnau-de-Montmiral
The central square of Castelnau-de-Montmiral with its medieval buildings, and the views from its hilltop location, together make it very worthy of a visit
Castelnau-de-Montmiral guide
Puycelsi
We particularly enjoyed the walk around the ramaparts in Puycelsi, one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'
Puycelsi guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Tarn
Address: Giroussens, Lavaur, Castres, Midi-Pyrenees, 81500, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.763056, longitude 1.77694
Plan your visit to Giroussens, Tarn
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardin des Martels: remarkable garden
- Rabastens église Notre-Dame-du-Bourg (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (8 km)
- Gaillac: recommended detour (18 km)
- Jardin et parc du château de Loubens: remarkable garden (21 km)
- Toulouse basilique St Sernin (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (32 km)
- Jardin japonais de Toulouse: remarkable garden (32 km)
- Toulouse: town of art and history (32 km)
- Jardin Royal de Toulouse: remarkable garden (32 km)
- Toulouse Hotel-Dieu St Jacques (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (33 km)
- Canal du Midi: heritage site (33 km)
- Bruniquel: most beautiful village (34 km)
- Albi: secteur sauvegarde (35 km)
The French version of this page is at Giroussens (Francais)