Points
Day 1: Gaillac
> Morning:
- Wander around the historic heart of Gaillac, a delightful jumble of quiet back streets and tiny squares where half-timbered façades rub shoulders with grand Italianate town houses. Then move on to the Abbaye Saint Michel. This is where the Gaillac vineyards originate from, since it was Benedictine monks who were really responsible for developing the practice of vine-growing introduced by the Romans.
- Call in at the Maison des Vins inside the abbey. This is highly recommended as the best way to get to know the wine area, and wine tastings are on offer too!
- Visit the 'Musée de l’Abbaye, de la Vigne et du Vin': the museum’s remarkable archaeological collections take you on a journey back through the ages.
> Afternoon:
- Stroll around Parc de Foucaud, French-style formal gardens laid out on a series of terraces above the Tarn. The château here is home to the Museum of Fine Arts (French School of the 19th and 20th centuries).
- Winery visit(s): see the ‘Practical information’ tab for the addresses of Vignobles & Découvertes-certified wineries around Gaillac.
Day 2: Montans to Giroussens
Departure for Montans.
> Morning:
- Visit the Archéosite in Montans to see the fascinating archaeological finds there. This peaceful Gaillacois village on the left bank of the Tarn surrounded by vines was an important pottery-making site in Roman times.
- Winery visit(s): see the ‘Practical information’ tab for the addresses of Vignobles & Découvertes-certified wineries between Montans and Lisle-sur-Tarn.
> Afternoon:
Departure for Lisle-sur-Tarn.
- Explore Lisle-sur-Tarn on foot: walk along the covered passageways lining the magnificent square in this 13th century bastide, then lose yourself in the streets of the old port, where once barrels of Gaillac wine were loaded onto boats. From the bridge on the Tarn there is a superb view of the village.
Departure for Giroussens.
16.5 km – 15 min.
- Visit the Jardins des Martels, 5 minutes from Giroussens: an exotic 3.5-hectare flower garden full of refreshing scents, created by a family passionate about all things floral. Glasshouses, banana grove and children’s mini-farm.
- Return to Giroussens: this village perché high on its rocky promontory has been famous for its glazed ceramics since the 17th century. The amazing Centre de la Céramique is well worth a visit.
Day 3: Rabastens to Castelnau de Montmiral
Departure for Rabastens.
> Morning:
Three options:
- Sightseeing in Rabastens: set between vineyards and the river, a orange-brick village with a real South-of-France feel.
The Church of Notre Dame du Bourg (13th century) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the St James's Way pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The Musée du Pays Rabastinois, which tells the story of Rabastens’ special place in history, is also worth a visit.
- The ‘Sentier d’Amédée le Vigneron’: a lovely 7km Vignobles & Découvertes-certified walk through vineyards which starts from the Cave des Vignerons in Rabastens.
- Winery visit(s): see the ‘Practical information’ tab for the addresses of Vignobles & Découvertes-certified wineries in Rabastens and Puycelsi.
> Afternoon:
Departure for Puycelsi.
- Sightseeing in Puycelsi: a magnificent fortified village, officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France, which overlooks the green ocean of the Forêt de la Grésigne. Just outside Puycelsi is the Conservatoire Régional d’Espèces Fruitières et de Vigne Ancienne, France’s only regional conservatory of fruit and ancient vine plants.
Departure for Castelnau de Montmiral
13 km – 16 min.
> Late afternoon:
- Stroll around Castelnau de Montmiral: this 12th century ‘bastide’ is also officially recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The buildings have been carefully restored in keeping with the village’s character.
Day 4: to Cahuzac-sur-Vère and back to Gaillac
Departure for Andillac.
> Morning:
- Visit the Château-Musée du Cayla in Andillac: this château, now a museum, was once the home of the Romantic poet Maurice de Guérin (1810-1839). Magnificent grounds with a boxwood tunnel and paths decorated with poems.
- Visit the Château de Mauriac in Mauriac: a 13th century castle built by a Knight Templar and restored passionately and extravagantly by the artist Bernard Bistes.
> Afternoon:
- Winery visit(s): see the ‘Practical information’ tab for the addresses of Vignobles & Découvertes-certified wineries between Cahuzac-sur-Vère and Labastide de Lévis.
> Late afternoon:
- Return to Gaillac and end of circuit.
Practical information
Day 1: Gaillac
- Sightseeing in Gaillac – Bastides et Vignoble du Gaillac Tourist Office – Abbaye Saint Michel - Place St-Michel – Gaillac - Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 14 65 - More information: www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com
http://www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com/fr/organiser/activites/visite-de-ville/balade-historique-gaillac
- Maison des Vins de Gaillac – Information, sales, introduction to wine tasting - Abbaye Saint Michel - Place St-Michel – Gaillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 15 40 - www.vins-gaillac.com
- Musée de l’Abbaye, de la Vigne et du Vin - Abbaye Saint Michel - Place St-Michel – Gaillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 14 65 - www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com
- Parc de Foucaud – Avenue Dom Vayssette – Gaillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 18 25 - www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Gaillac – Château de Foucaud – Avenue Dom Vayssette – Gaillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 18 25 – www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com
>> Vignobles & Découvertes-certified services in and around Gaillac:
> Wineries
- Domaine de la Ramaye (Sylviane and Michel Issaly) – Sainte Cécile d'Avès - Gaillac. Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 06 64. www.michelissaly.com
- Domaine du Moulin (Nicolas and Jean-Paul Hirissou) – Chemin des Crêtes – Gaillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 20 52. www.ledomainedumoulin.com
- Domaine Vayssette (Nathalie and Patrice Vayssette) – Laborie, route de Caussade – Gaillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 31 95. www.vins-gaillac-vayssette.com
- Mas Pignou (Bernard Auque) – Mas Pignou, D 964 – Gaillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 18 52 – www.vins-gaillac-sud-ouest.com
> Restaurants
- La Table du Sommelier – Place du Griffoul – Gaillac - Tel. +33 (0)5 63 81 20 10 – www.latabledusommelier.com
- Vigne en foule – Restaurant opened by three Gaillacois wine growers and a distiller - 80, place de la Libération – Gaillac - Tel. +33 (0)5 63 41 79 08 – www.vigneenfoule.fr
> Accommodation
- Le Domaine du Buc – Chambres d’hôtes and gîte - route de Lagrave – Marssac-sur-Tarn – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 55 40 06 – www.domainedubuc.com
- Château Touny les Roses – Chambres d’hôtes - Lagrave – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 90 90 – www.tounylesroses.com
- Le Moulin de Carré – gîte – Florentin – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 77 56 22 – www.lemoulindecarre.com
Day 2: Montans to Giroussens
- Archéosite, Montans – Exhibition, reconstructions – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 59 16 - www.archeosite.ted.fr
- Sightseeing in Lisle-sur-Tarn – Bastides et Vignoble du Gaillac Tourist Office - Place Paul Saissac – Lisle-sur-Tarn– Tel. +33 (0)5 63 40 31 85 - www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com
- Jardins des Martels – Les Martels – Giroussens – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 41 61 42 – www.jardinsdesmartels.com
- Centre Céramique, Giroussens – 7, place Lucie Bouniol – Giroussens - Exhibitions, gift shop, courses - Tel. +33 (0)5 63 41 68 22 – www.centre-ceramique-giroussens.com
>> Vignobles & Découvertes-certified services in the Montans / Lisle-sur-Tarn area:
> Wineries
- Domaine Carcenac (Nicole Carcenac) – Le Jauret – Montans – Tel. +33 (0)5 6357 57 28 – www.domaine-carcenac.com
- Domaine La Croix des Marchands (Jean-Marie Bezios) – Avenue des Potiers – 81600 Montans – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 19 71 – www.croix-des-marchands.com
- Château Clément Termes (Caroline David) – Les Fortis – Lisle-sur-Tarn - Tel. +33 (0)5 63 40 47 80– www.clement-termes.com
- Domaine de Sarabelle (Laurent and Fabien Causse) – Les Fortis - Lisle-sur-Tarn – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 40 47 78 - www.sarrabelle.com
- Château de Saurs (Marie-Paule Burrus) – Route de Saurs - Lisle-sur-Tarn - Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 09 79. www.chateau-de-saurs.com
- Château Lastours (Hubert De Faramond) - Lisle-sur-Tarn – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 07 09 – www.chateau-lastours-gaillac.com
- Vinovalie, cave de Tecou (Philippe Bascoul) – 100, route de Técou – Técou – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 00 80 – www.cavedetecou.fr
- Domaine Rotier (Alain and Françis Rotier) – Petit Nareye – Cadalen – Tel. +33 (0)5 6341 75 14 – www.domaine-rotier.com
> Restaurant
- Le Colvert – En Boyer – Saint-Lieux-lès-Lavaur – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 41 32 47 – www.restaurantlecolvert.com
> Accommodation
- La Tuilerie - chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes – Parisot – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 33 72 – www.gites-tarn.com
- Au Mas des Calmettes - chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes – Parisot – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 40 55 98 – www.aumasdescalmettes.com
- La Frejade – chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes - Lieu-dit La Frejade – Lisle sur Tarn – Tel. +33 (0)9 88 77 36 86 – www.lafrejade.com
- La Pigario – Chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes – Chemin de la Pigario – Saur – Lisle sur Tarn – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 40 61 64 – www.lapigario.com
Day 3: Rabastens to Castelnau de Montmiral
- Sightseeing in Rabastens – Bastides et Vignoble du Gaillac Tourist Office – Rabastens - Tel. +33 (0)5 63 40 65 65 - www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com
- ‘Sentier d’Amédée le Vigneron’ - Rabastens – Walk description at www.terroirdugaillac.com
- Sightseeing in Puycelsi - Bastides et Vignoble du Gaillac Tourist Office – Puycelsi – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 19 25 - www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com
- Conservatoire Régional d’Espèces Fruitières et de Vigne Ancienne – Puycelsi – Not open every day; call in advance or check on the Internet – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 19 41 – www.tourisme-tarn.com
- Sightseeing in Castelnau de Montmiral - Bastides et Vignoble du Gaillac Tourist Office – Place aux Arcades - Castelnau-de-Montmiral – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 15 11 - www.tourisme-vignoble-bastides.com
>> Vignobles & Découvertes-certified services in the Rabastens / Puycelsi area:
> Wineries
- Vinovalie, les Vignerons de Rabastens (Christophe Vialar) – 33, route d’Albi – Rabastens – Tel. +33 (0)5 633373 80 – www.cavederabastens.com
- Château de Terride (Alix and Xavier David) – Puycelsi – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 26 63 – www.chateau-de-terride.com
> Accommodation and restaurants
- L’Ancienne Auberge - Hôtel-restaurant - Place de l’Eglise – Puycelsi – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 65 90 – www.ancienne-auberge.com
- La Vigne et le blé – Chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes – Rue Gérard Roques – Salvagnac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 23 78 – www.chambres-hotes-sud.com
- Le Chêne Vert – Camp site – Travers du Rieutort - Castelnau-de-Montmiral – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 16 10 – www.camping-du-chene-vert.com
- Artichaud – Chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes – Castelnau-de-Montmiral – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 57 20 42 – www.artichaud.fr
- La Croix du Sud – Chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes – Castelnau-de-Montmiral – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 18 46 – www.la-croix-du-sud.com
- Château de Mayragues – Chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes, gîte, winery – Castelnau-de-Montmiral – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 94 08 – www.chateau-de-mayragues.com
Day 4: to Cahuzac-sur-Vère and back to Gaillac
- Château-Musée du Cayla – Andillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 90 30 – www.tourisme-tarn.com
- Château de Mauriac - Lieu dit Mauriac – Senouillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 41 71 18 – www.chateaudemauriac.com
>> Vignobles & Découvertes-certified services between Cahuzac-sur-Vère and Labastide de Lévis:
> Wineries
- Domaine Plageoles (Bernard and Robert Plageoles) – Cahuzac-sur-Vère – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 90 40 – www.vins-plageoles.com
- Domaine de Labarthe (Jean-Paul Albert) – Castanet – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 56 80 14 – www.vinlabarthe.com
- Domaine d’Escausses, enclos des Rozes (Roselyne and Jean-Marc Balaran) – Sainte-Croix – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 56 80 52 – www.domainedescausses.com
- Domaine de Larroque (Patrick Nouvel) - Cestayrols – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 56 87 63 – www.domainedelarroque.com
- Château de Lacroux (Philippe Derieux) – Cestayrols – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 56 88 88 - www.chateaudelacroux.com
- Cave Labastide (Nicolas Laurier) – Labastide-de-Lévis- Tel. +33 (0)5 63 53 73 73 – www.cave-labastide.com
> Accommodation and restaurants
- Château Larroze – Chambres d’hôtes - Lieu-dit Rozies – Cahuzac-sur-Vère – Tel. +33 (0)5 6333 99 70 – www.chateau-larroze.com
- Château de Salettes – Hotel, restaurant (1 Michelin star), winery - Salettes – Cahuzac-sur-Vère – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 33 60 60 – www.chateaudesalettes.com
- La Bastide de Servadou (chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes) – Senouillac – Tel. +33 (0)6 14 18 54 56 – www.chambretarn.com
- La Vigneronne (chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes) – Senouillac – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 34 49 08 – www.lavigneronne81.fr
- Lou Cantoun – 4, route d’Albi - Cestayrols – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 53 28 39 – www.loucantoun.fr
- Le Mas de Causse (gîte, chambres d’hôtes and table d’hôtes) – Cestayrols – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 56 86 92) – wwwmasdecausse.com
- Château La Tour Plantade (gîtes) – Labastide de Lévis – Tel. +33 (0)5 63 55 47 43 – www.latourplantade.com
A fricassee of bastide villages on a bed of vines, a sprinkling of châteaux on hillsides browned in the sun… Not far from Albi in the Tarn département, the spread laid out in the Gaillac wine area is a delicious treat in which wine, landscape and history accompany each other so well that together they create an infectious feeling of quiet contentment.
Day 1: Gaillac.
Day 2: Montans to Giroussens.
Day 3: Rabastens to Castelnau-de-Montmiral.
Day 4: to Cahuzac-sur-Vère and back to Gaillac.
The Gaillac AOP has been awarded national Vignobles & Découvertes certification. This tour features professionals that have been awarded this quality certification: wineries, restaurants, accommodation, heritage attractions, villages, museums and more…
Click on the ‘Around and about’ options opposite for details of all the places to stay and things to do locally.
NB: The Google Maps route is meant as a guide only, to enable you to view the general route location. It is not intended to provide accurate GPS information and the site publisher cannot be held responsible for its content.
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