We'll be spending a couple of nights, In July, in the area of Gaillac and would appreciate any suggestions on hotels..Thanks...Mary

Hôtel La Verrerie. It's kind of a funky little town, not really that pretty, but if you're into the wine this is a good place to stay to explore the area.

This place is beautiful; outside Gaillac in the vineyards with a reportedly good restaurant (I visited but did not eat there)

http://www.chateaudesalettes.com/en/Welcome.html

StCirq and ekscrunchy...thank you for your help. We've never been there but thought I had heard it was a pretty little place...maybe I'm remembering it wrong! Mary

Well, the town itself isn't all that pretty, especially if you've been spoiled by the Dordogne, but it's an interesting area, particularly if you're interested in the wine. Castelnaud de Montmiral is gorgeous, and Lavaur and Puylaurens and Revel and Graulhet are fun to roam around in. And of course Albi is right up the road.

Yes--the region is gloriously beautiful! Puycelsi, Bruniquel--those villages, too, in addition to those mentioned by St. Cirq. Lots of wine tasting opportunities around Gaillac.

The town itself is rather workaday, but we enjoyed spending a few hours wandering around..I think with a car you could stay in a more rural area in the region..

If you don't need to be in Gaillac, I'd stay on the lake in St-Fériol. Every time I drive through there I wish I'd planned to stop for a night or two.

If you find Gaillac doesn't sufficiently excite, try Cordes which is about 15 miles northeast of Gaillac. A delightful medieval bastide, Cordes has several artisanal and crafts shops. I stayed at Le Grand Ecuyer a few years back..a 13th century inn. Great food produced by Yves Thuries.

Gaillac wines are fabulous. I often drink the reds, made from the Duras and Braucol grapes which are indigenous to Gaillac.

I hadn't realised Cordes was so close. I've only visited it once, and must say, it annoyed me because it's so touristy. I agree with prior comments about Gaillac, but I really like Albi and it's closer and has some terrific choices of places to stay. We've only stayed one night in the Mercure- nothing to write home about, but perfectly fine. There are nicer and right in the heart of the town, too.