Giroussens (right)

is about a 10 minute drive from the gîte. It is well known for its pottery and hosts a pottery museum. It also has superb views of the area.

Buddhism

The FPMT's Vajrayogini Institute and Nalanda Monastery are both close by . The Institute has a very full programme and English translations of the teachings are often available. Most of the monks at the Monastery are English speaking and visitors are welcome every Sunday afternoon.

Walking

There are gentle family walks all around the gîte and in the local area, as well as walks for more experienced walkers. The owners have walking books which can be borrowed on request.

Golf

The nearby golf course, le Golf des Etangs de Fiac, is a popular and well run 18 hole course which also has an excellent restaurant.

Further afield ...

The cities of Albi, Toulouse and Carcassonne are close by and have lots to see and do.
Toulouse has a space museum and also hosts the headquarters of Airbus, whose production facilities can be visited. Albi has the world's most complete collection of works by Toulouse-Lautrec in its Toulouse Lautrec museum, which was once the palace of the Lord Bishop. Next door to the museum, the 13th century Sainte-Cecile Cathedral dominates the skyline.

Also in the area are the towns of Castres, Gaillac and Cordes sur Ciel. Gaillac is a well known wine producing area and is worth visiting for its wine museum and its numerous vineyards, as well as for its attractive cathedral.

The Pyrénees

are a 90 minute drive from the gîte and are ideal for walking in the summer and for skiing in the winter.

More Information

We have prepared two lists giving details of things to see and do close to the holiday rental and things to do in our part of the Midi-Pyrenees. We hope that you will find them helpful. You might also want to look at our recommended books on the Tarn and Midi-Pyrenees regions which you can find in our bookshop.

The Local Tarn Area

Lavaur

is 4 kilometres from the gite. It is a small medieval town which has a large lively market on Saturdays. A wide variety of goods can be found in the market including organic foods, clothes, household goods and, on alternate Saturdays, animals. There are many good restaurants in the town and the surrounding area.

Lavaur

The town has a medieval centre with a 13th century Cathedral. As with many towns in the area, Lavaur was one of the bastions of the Cathar religion and a monument marks the site where Dame Giraude de Laurac - Lady of Lavaur - was murdered when Simon de Montfort took the town in 1211. The town website (French) gives a detailed description of the town and its sites and includes a map.

Ambres

is a small picturesque hill-top village which gives its name to the Commune of Ambres in which the gîte is located. (photo Miguel Bravo)

The Jardins des Martels

are a ten minute drive from the gîte and cover an area of 8.6 acres. They have been classified as amongst the most beautiful gardens in France. They include a greenhouse with exotic plants, a banana plantation and a mini farm. The gardens have more than 2500 different kinds of plants. 

They are connected to nearby Saint Lieux les Lavaur by a steam train.

More Information on the Local Area

Video of Lavaur

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