ALBI
 
______citybreak
Albi
is a beautiful little town, all in pink brick,
on the banks of the river Tarn. It's a city
of
culture and histor y,
of good food and fine wines set in a region of vineyards,
châteaux and ancient
mediaeval villages. The
city is dominated by the 13th century cathedral
of Saint Cecile, a massive fortified church built
to impress both
the wavering
faithful and would-be enemies of the power of
the established church; it is the largest brick building
in the world! France à la
carte has created a short citybreak
based in Albi on the twin themes of art and
culture: the rich heritage of churches, cathedrals
and abbeys
along with a a studious
look at one of Albi's most famous sons, Henri
Toulouse-Lautrec. Albi
lends itself to the city break format being
especially compact
and pedestrianised.
The
3 day/2 night programme
This
is really a go-as-you-please programme: you have
the hotel room, breakfast and dinner in central
Albi and a handful of entrance tickets to the
cultural and artistic attractions of Albi and
its region. Just remember that museums are closed
on Tuesdays in France and that the hotel restaurant
is closed Sunday evenings.
HOTEL
***
three star hotel in the heart of old Albi.
The
programme is half-board, so dinner is taken
each evening in the hotel restaurant - one
of the best tables in town - including a 'gourmet'
meal on the second evening.
VISITS
Entrance
to the following sites:
- Toulouse-Lautrec
Museum: housed in
the old episcopal palace on the banks of the Tarn the
permanent exhibition of Toulouse-Lautrec's
work covers every aspect of the artist's
production from early sketches to the 'posters'
of decadent Parisian life that we all know.
The gallery houses an important collection
of 20th century art.
- Saint
Cecile cathedral: entrance to
the Grand Choir as well as to the rest
of the edifice with its splendid murals
and mighty southern gothic nave.
- Château
du Bosc, family seat of the Toulouse-Lautrec
family (to this day): guided visit to the
chateau where the young Henri spent his
formative years. Located 45kms north-east
of Albi in an area of plateaux and deep
gorges.
- Cordes-sur-Ciel:
an illustrated guide to this mediaeval village
which can be visited when and how you wish.
- Wine-tasing in
a vineyard of the Gaillac appellation :
not far from the village of Noailles the vigneron,
Mr Causse, will show you around and explain
his techniques before inviting you to sample
his wines. You get a bottle to keep (well,
to consume).
Henri
Toulouse Lautrec
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PRICES:
ask______________BOOK
NOW
This price includes:
-2 nights in 3* hotel with half-board (breakfast
and evening meal) (base 2 sharing double room)
-visits and entrances as outlined in programme
-hire car (48hrs rental, type Renault Twingo
or similar, unlimited mileage, CDW, insurance) from Toulouse,
Rodez or carcassonne airports.
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