Day Trip to Albi
Aug 5th, 2015, 05:56 PM
#1
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Day Trip to Albi
Last trip to Europe had too many day trips. So this one will have a lot fewer.
One of them is to Albi from Toulouse and I've been doing my semi-final research.
Other than the obvious 1, 2 or 3 sights, what should I expect?
Is it a beautiful small city?
Is it a "wander thru the streets of the old town" type of place?
Other than walking along the bridges for the views, is there any compelling reason to wander the area across the bridge?
I'm just trying to get a general feel for the place.
Thanks.
One of them is to Albi from Toulouse and I've been doing my semi-final research.
Other than the obvious 1, 2 or 3 sights, what should I expect?
Is it a beautiful small city?
Is it a "wander thru the streets of the old town" type of place?
Other than walking along the bridges for the views, is there any compelling reason to wander the area across the bridge?
I'm just trying to get a general feel for the place.
Thanks.
Aug 5th, 2015, 06:58 PM
#2
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Albi has a long siesta, and I couldn't find a way to do everything I wanted to do either before or after it. So either plan on a long lunch or figure out what else you will do with that time. If le Clos Sainte Cecile is open for lunch, it is, IMO, well worth considering! 
I enjoyed walking around the town, but I wasn't looking for "beautiful small cities" or "wandering through the streets of old town" places -- I simply like seeing what there is to be seen in the places I visit. And that means I can't tell you whether what I saw would meet your criteria. I remember that the town seemed absolutely deserted during that siesta, but I otherwise found it pleasant. Sorry I can't say more!
Ste. Cecile's is, IMO, magnificent. Give it plenty of time, and do consider using the excellent audio-guide. I also found the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec worth several hours, plus some time for the associated gardens.
I enjoyed walking around the town, but I wasn't looking for "beautiful small cities" or "wandering through the streets of old town" places -- I simply like seeing what there is to be seen in the places I visit. And that means I can't tell you whether what I saw would meet your criteria. I remember that the town seemed absolutely deserted during that siesta, but I otherwise found it pleasant. Sorry I can't say more!
Ste. Cecile's is, IMO, magnificent. Give it plenty of time, and do consider using the excellent audio-guide. I also found the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec worth several hours, plus some time for the associated gardens.
Aug 5th, 2015, 10:38 PM
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Hello again Myer
We loved Albi! We were there on a Monday, so very few shops were open, but I guess it also kept the crowds down.
The cathedral is magnificent, and we enjoyed wandering through the little streets of the old town. Plenty of eateries were still open - we enjoyed a little cafe just across the square from the cathedral.
To me the Musee Toulouse-Lautrec was a disappointment; I expected to see his theatre posters etc, but couldn't even buy a postcard with those illustrations on - it was more a historical tribute to him. There are beautiful gardens behind the museum though, just walk around the back of the building (no entry fee).
We didn't venture across the bridge, but that was probably more of a time constraint than anything.
I also bought a lovely silk scarf in one of the tourist haunts around the main square . . . considerably cheaper than those I had been admiring in Toulouse! Because of the woad dyes that are traditional in that region, I had decided that would be my souvenir for that part of our travels.
If you're driving there, there's a convenient car park called Parking Bondidau - just a short walk up the hill to the main town area. Di
We loved Albi! We were there on a Monday, so very few shops were open, but I guess it also kept the crowds down.
The cathedral is magnificent, and we enjoyed wandering through the little streets of the old town. Plenty of eateries were still open - we enjoyed a little cafe just across the square from the cathedral.
To me the Musee Toulouse-Lautrec was a disappointment; I expected to see his theatre posters etc, but couldn't even buy a postcard with those illustrations on - it was more a historical tribute to him. There are beautiful gardens behind the museum though, just walk around the back of the building (no entry fee).
We didn't venture across the bridge, but that was probably more of a time constraint than anything.
I also bought a lovely silk scarf in one of the tourist haunts around the main square . . . considerably cheaper than those I had been admiring in Toulouse! Because of the woad dyes that are traditional in that region, I had decided that would be my souvenir for that part of our travels.
If you're driving there, there's a convenient car park called Parking Bondidau - just a short walk up the hill to the main town area. Di
Aug 6th, 2015, 02:56 AM
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Looks as though I must just have been unlucky - on the page http://www.museetoulouselautrec.net/...rec-birth.html it says that there are some of his most famous posters in the current exhibition. Di
Aug 6th, 2015, 07:44 AM
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I've visited a couple of times, and I really liked it. There are good views of the old town from the north side of the river, and I suggest it's worth the walk between the bridges- we stayed in Mercure just on the other side of the east bridge, the second time we visited. Well located; nice hotel.
The old town is small and pretty and worth a wander; mind you, not very big, so doesn't take so long to do. A lovely place to spend an afternoon
The old town is small and pretty and worth a wander; mind you, not very big, so doesn't take so long to do. A lovely place to spend an afternoon
Aug 6th, 2015, 09:33 AM
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I went as a day trip. It's an attractive town to walk around. Every place in Europe pretty much as an Old Town area, if it's of any size. I visited the Toulouse Lautrec museum, which has a lot of works, not just his. And I also visited the oldest house in Albi, which is a small "museum", I always like things like that, it has a small exhibit on the history of the city and Lautrec. http://www.albi-tourisme.fr/us/disco...ieil-alby.html
There's a cathedral, of course, and the palace near all that. The historic center isn't that small IMO, it has 6 areas. http://www.albi-tourisme.fr/us/disco...ic-centre.html
I didn't cross the river as the main train station where I arrived is on the same side as the main attractions and center of town.
There's a cathedral, of course, and the palace near all that. The historic center isn't that small IMO, it has 6 areas. http://www.albi-tourisme.fr/us/disco...ic-centre.html
I didn't cross the river as the main train station where I arrived is on the same side as the main attractions and center of town.
