Guide to Tarn & Property for Sale in Department 81

The Tarn is a glorious meeting place of those desirable features we cannot fail to admire, with its back resting against the Pyrenean mountains. The rocky slopes and upland pastures fall into deep dales, wide plains, and sunlit forests. It is also close to the cities of Toulouse, Carcassonne, and Montpellier. The department of Tarn (number 81) borders southwest France and the 'Midi'. The availability of surrounding airports provides excellent and versatile travel options; Toulouse is 60 miles away, Carcassonne is 100 miles away, and Bergerac is a 120-mile drive. The Paris–Toulouse TGV fast train service, along with local rail links, is also a favourite. With short mild winters averaging 14.7 degrees and sun-soaked summers, the climate offers the best of cool green Atlantic freshness with the warmth of the Mediterranean. The Tarn has approximately 2,380 hours of sunshine annually, with temperatures rising to 40 degrees.

Family-Friendly Destination

The Tarn is currently advancing planning for the building and renovation of many schools and is investing in sports such as rugby, volleyball and hiking, making this an excellent family destination. This is a department of great contrasts, which can be experienced by walking, riding, or cycling from one world to another through an excellent network of footpaths, bridle paths, and cycle paths. With a choice of four impressive rivers (the Tarn, the Viaur, the Cérou and the Agout), canoeing and kayaking are popular sports. Panoramic views surround the six superb golf courses in the area. A child-friendly environment prevails, featuring amazing attractions such as the natural adventure park in Saint-Pierre-de-Trivisy, which spans four hectares of tree games, and mountain biking in the Grésigne Forest.

From Romanesque to Renaissance

Evidence of a rich and troubled past, from the Romanesque to the Renaissance, is everywhere in this area of the Occitanie region. Historic monuments abound and are as varied as the beautifully restored farms and characterful properties available to view and purchase. An authentic and colourful quality of life reflects the cultural contrast of the Montagnes Noires, situated between Aquitaine to the West and the Midi to the East. Oak and beech forests abound, providing the backcloth for jewels like Cordes-sur-Ciel, where the Albigeois artisans have produced musical instruments since 1221. Albi is the capital of the Tarn, boasting internationally acclaimed monuments including the Toulouse Lautrec Museum and the stunning Cathedral of Sainte-Cécile.

Dynamic Property Market

The fascination of Albi and its surrounding areas has drawn attention to the property market and highlighted the variation of affordable real estate. Another ‘must’ to see is the town of Castres, where you will find the Goya Museum and the Jean Jaures National Centre, and the magnificent Soreze Abbey school, the former military school in the reign of Louis XIV. Villages of light and shade abound in the Bastides Albigeoises, and the river Tarn flows to the foot of the Palais de la Berbie.

Natural Resources and Architectural Diversity

Fascinating contrasts of landscape and features influence the rich variety of building materials for the housing market. In Sidobre, the rough granite blocks of the unspoiled scenery and the slate and granite quarries provide rich raw materials. Spinning mills and dairies are numerous, and some are beckoning to be restored. The Beech and Oak forests at the foot of the mountains yield magnificent wood for house and barn building. The plains and fertile soil of the Pays de Cocagne smile with the abundance and the warmth of stone-built cottages, houses, small holdings and farms.

Wine and Gastronomy

Fifty kilometres east of Toulouse lie the famous Gaillac vineyards, where in 1997, the Comité Inter-Professionel du Sud-Ouest granted Appellation d’origine controlée to Abbey Saint Michel, and better still, taste the elegant and lively Fraicheur perlée as an apéritif with foie gras salad.

The cuisine of the Tarn is full-blooded and very diverse. The strawberries, peaches, and melons of the plains pair well with the air-dried hams of Lacaune, such as the lamb from Lauragais or the Cepes from Gresigne. Typical local dishes are fried river perch fillets with nettle butter, rack of lamb, radishes with salted liver and tournedos of guinea fowl with a stuffing of cepes mushrooms. The people of the Tarn take time to enjoy life, preserve their traditions and heritage, and are proud to welcome you to a land where there is so much to savour.

Seasonal Wonders

In summer, mountain temperatures are pleasantly warm – like a British summer’s day. The mountain areas commonly have a cooling breeze, and there are rushing streams and tranquil mountain lakes for a refreshing dip after a hard climb. At lower levels, the summer heat will be something to avoid during the middle of the day, so make sure you have some good sun covers and lots of sun cream. Even so, the summer sun invasion is a delight to the senses, making each day an invigorating adventure full of profound joy.

Autumn's Vibrant Colours

In autumn, the valley sides are bright with colour as the leaves turn every shade of orange, red and yellow. The weather will be cooler again, and the Indian Summers are ideal for walking, cycling, and generally being more active throughout the day than in the height of summer. The first snows tend to touch the highest peaks in late October, lending a stunning, crisp backdrop to the landscape, whilst morning frost at lower levels leaves a delightful cutting edge to the landscape.

Enchanting Winter

In winter, don’t be surprised to find temperatures dropping wherever you are in the region, and you may even wake up to a blanket of snow. The Pyrénées receive less snow than the Alps, but there's plenty of skiing fun to be had with a pleasantly mild climate without the bitter January temperatures.

Key Information about the Tarn

• Main City/Prefecture: Albi
• Nearest Airport: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
• Population: Around 400,000 (as of the latest census)
• Area: 5,758 sq. kilometres and 2,223 sq. miles
• Landmark: Albi Cathedral, a magnificent Gothic structure and UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 2 million, drawn by its heritage, museums and rural beauty.

If you are looking for a property in Tarn, please get in touch to discuss your search criteria.