Attractions and Places To See around Castelsarrasin - Top 20

Lauzerte is a magnificent medieval bastide from the 12th century perched on a rocky outcrop. Lauzerte is an essential and mythical stop for pilgrims on the Via Podensis (the path from Le Puy-en-Velay). Founded by the Count of Toulouse, this ancient strategic town has a checkerboard architecture typical of the bastides of the Southwest.

The abbey and its cloister, the historic center, the Art Deco buildings, the Napoleon bridge, the towpath, and the Cacor canal bridge are must-sees. Everything can be easily discovered on foot. Moissac is a major stop on the Camino de Santiago thanks to its exceptional heritage, particularly its abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its Romanesque cloister and sculpted tympanum make it an emblematic place for pilgrims from all over the world.

The Old Carmel of Moissac, overlooking the Saint-Pierre abbey, was built between 1857 and 1858 on the initiative of the "ladies of Praslin", wealthy benefactresses. It is a major stop for pilgrims on the Way of Saint James of Compostela (via Podiensis). The architecture of the Old Carmel of Moissac perfectly reflects the spirit of poverty, contemplation, and self-sufficient life characteristic of the Carmelite order in the 19th century. Cloister with raised dormitories, open south gallery, enclosure, predominance of limestone, cut stones, stepped church, stained glass from three periods, including three signed ones from the 20th century.

Abbey founded in the mid-7th century. After its affiliation with Cluny in 1047, the abbey was consecrated in 1063. Cloister built at the end of the 11th century (high altar consecrated by Urban II), portal completed between 1115 and 1135, fortifications and cloister arcades in the 13th century. After the troubles of the Hundred Years' War and the plundering due to the Wars of Religion, the abbey passed into commendam in the 17th century. After the Revolution, the abbey was bought back as national property and saved by the town hall secretary. The church was returned to worship in 1801 and was restored at the initiative of Viollet-le-Duc in 1847. In 1856, the conventual buildings located on the site of the seminary were destroyed and divided into plots for sale. The purchase of the plots allowed for the construction of the minor seminary and a chapel between 1860 and 1865. The seminary is built on medieval remains of the abbey, particularly the cistern and the Hall of the Dead, which retains painted decoration from the 14th century.

Abbey founded in the mid-7th century. After its affiliation with Cluny in 1047, the abbey was consecrated in 1063. Cloister built at the end of the 11th century (high altar consecrated by Urban II), portal completed between 1115 and 1135, fortifications and cloister arcades in the 13th century. After the troubles of the Hundred Years' War and the looting due to the Wars of Religion, the abbey came under commendatory abbots in the 17th century. After the Revolution, the abbey was bought back as national property and saved by the town hall secretary. The church was returned to worship in 1801 and was restored at the initiative of Viollet-le-Duc in 1847. In 1856, the conventual buildings located on the site of the seminary were destroyed and divided for sale. The repurchase of the plots allowed for the construction of the minor seminary and a chapel between 1860 and 1865. The seminary is built on medieval remains of the abbey, particularly the cistern and the Hall of the Dead, which retains painted decoration from the 14th century.

On July 29, 1808, Napoleon I arrived in Moissac, crossing the Tarn on a pontoon bridge. Since the Wars of Religion and floods, previous structures had been destroyed, and the perilous crossing was done by ferry. Work began quickly but ceased with the fall of the First Empire (1814). It resumed in 1820, leading to the inauguration of the Marie-Thérèse bridge on December 19, 1824. It was named in honor of the Dauphine, daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who is said to have laid the keystone of the bridge. It finally became the "Pont Napoléon" in 1859, after Napoleon III's visit to Moissac.

Are you a fan of bridges? No? It doesn't matter, go see it anyway, it's very beautiful.

The Abbey of Moissac is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, great frescoes in the entrance portal and a unique cloister with many biblical scenes and saints' stories in the capitals