Local Area/Interest
Bozat
Bozat is our small hamlet, and is also the name of the house of which Tarn Owls is a part. There are four houses and a couple of farms in the hamlet, which nestles between Castelnau and Sainte Cecile du Cayrou. The latter boasts a beautiful little medieval church, the local mayor’s office, and little else – except fantastic views, walks, and the fact that it is on the edge of the Gresigne Forest, one of the largest and oldest in Europe.
The local village -
Castelnau de Montmiral
Our local village, just three kilometres away and easily reached from Tarn Owls, is a mediaeval bastide town, perched on top of a hill with awe-inspiring views over the Gresigne Forest and the surrounding valley. It has a bar and two restaurants, a boulangerie, a post office, and a small supermarket, with a thriving market on Tuesdays. Sit in the market square, and watch the bustle of a local market, as feet tread cobble-stones that ring with history…
It is designated as one of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’. Click here to read more.
There are restaurants, shops and markets in the surrounding villages (see below) and there are bustling market towns and medieval villages within easy reach.
Link to Restaurant les Consuls in Castelnau de Montmiral
The Bastide Towns
Castelnau de Montmiral is just one of the bastide towns of south-west France. There are more in this area of the Tarn than any other.
Perched on top of hills, these mediaeval towns are a wonderful witness to the past, with their ancient buildings, winding, narrow streets, and arcaded market squares where people gather much as they have for centuries.
Click here to read more about the bastide towns.
Puycelci, Bruniquel, Pennes, St Antonin are some of the other nearby mediaeval towns all well worth a visit (15 – 30 minutes drive).
Cordes-sur-Ciel
(Cordes ‘on’ the Sky!)
So-called because on misty autumn and winter mornings, it seems to float above the clouds as the valleys surrounding it are completely hidden from view.
Another nearby stunning hilltop town, with views over miles of countryside, Cordes is a thriving artistic community, and offers opportunities for views, shopping for unique and precious hand-made gifts, and exploration of its cobbled winding streets and ancient buildings and church.
Cordes-sur-Ciel – winding cobbled streets
Local Town -
Gaillac
is about 15 minutes drive from Tarn Owls, and is a typical southern French market town, with shops, bars, restaurants, ancient churches, museums, and an art gallery. A busy market fills the town with stalls of every description every Friday, and guided walks and tours of the old town take place from the Tourist Information Office.
There are several large supermarkets in and around Gaillac.
Albi
just thirty-five minutes distant, has a 1000 year-old bridge over the River Tarn (reputedly one of the oldest brick-built bridges in existence) and the Toulouse Lautrec Museum and gallery (the famous and very popular artist was born here in 1865). Walks around the old town and the meandering pedestrianised streets of the newer shopping areas are opportunities for jewels of discovery, as are the many shaded and secret courtyards where you might find a restaurant for lunch or dinner, or a stunning courtyard garden hidden from the bustle of passers-by.
Albi also boasts the magnificent Cathedral of Sainte Cecile, the patron saint of Albi – and from our own commune of Sainte Cecile du Cayrou!
Gresigne Forest
This glorious ancient woodland, one of the largest in Europe, covers three and a half thousand hectares, and houses over one hundred species of oak tree, and is rich with birdlife, wild boar, deer, and hares – and red squirrels!
There are many shaded and secluded walks and cycleways within the forest.
For those for whom horse riding is the way to explore the countryside, there are stables and riding schools nearby.
Markets and brocantes
There are plenty of markets and brocantes in all the local towns throughout the summer months.
Apero-Concerts
There are open-air concerts at the park in Gaillac, every Friday through the summer, each week a different concert, with wine and nibbles, sunshine and music, dancing and friendship – all for 5 euros!
Some of the local vineyards also have apero evenings with live music, cheap wine and delicious food.
Wine Region
We are in the heart of one of the main wine-producing regions of France. There are over 120 vineyards in this area. These friendly vineyards offer good white, rose, red and sparkling wines.
We can suggest which vineyards to visit for best value and free tasting for the wines you enjoy. This is a rewarding and fun way to learn about the particularities of the soil and climate here.
We can arrange for you to join one of the recommended wine tasting seminars put on by the Wine Centre and Museum in Gaillac if you give us notice.
There is also a wine festival in the summer, with hundreds of producers on show, all keen to explain, demonstrate, discuss, compare, and sell their wines.
Active or relaxing holidays
Whether you want an active or a relaxing holiday, this part of south-west France is the perfect venue – and Tarn Owls the perfect place to start from!
Kayaking down the Gorges, walking the national walking tracks, horse riding, cycling (the Tour de France loves these hills and valleys – one of the stages recently started at Albi) or swimming, relaxing by the pool or simply driving around this beautiful countryside exploring towns and villages that have hardly changed in centuries – it’s all here, waiting for you to enjoy.
Active
The Aveyron Gorges are about half an hour’s drive away, through beautiful scenery, and even novices will enjoy the not-too-demanding pleasures of kayaking or canoeing down the river, to be picked up and driven back to your car by special bus.
Much nearer to hand, just two miles from Tarn Olws, is the Vere Gresigne centre, with its boating/pedaloe lake, swimming lake (with water-slide and life-guard), tennis courts, crazy golf, boules, bar and ice-cream parlour …
Golf
There are several golf courses nearby (you can hire clubs) – click on the link below to take you to information on local courses.
Walking and cycling
Walking and cycling are a favourite activity among locals and holiday-makers alike, and there are national walking trails on the doorstep. Local walking groups (French and English) will be pleased to welcome real enthusiasts!
Birds and other wildlife
The local area abounds in bird life, and bird watchers are rarely disappointed. Apart from our own family of Little Owls in the roof, there are hoopoes, golden orioles, buzzards, eagles, and many others.
The Gresigne Forest is home to deer, hares and wild boar, which you will may well be lucky enough to see close up if you walk on the many trails through the forest.
… and relaxing
Relaxing and exploring
You might prefer a peaceful, calm holiday to help you unwind. Tarn Owls itself is a haven of rural peace, despite being only a fifteen minute drive from the old market town of Gaillac and under an hour from Toulouse.
Or visit one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, which are virtually on the doorstep – bastide towns like our own Castelnau, perched high on hills and little changed since they were built in the 12th/13th centuries. Sit in the market square, and watch the bustle of a local market, as feet tread cobble-stones that ring with history…
Further Information
For further tourist information on any of the places mentioned, click on the link below.
Guided Nature Trails
We can organise a guided walk with a local naturalist if you are interested in flora, fauna, birds, geological formations – click on the link below to visit his website. Stephane does speak some English, but if you need it, we can arrange for an interpreter to accompany you.
Whether you want peace and tranquillity, culture and history (the village of Castelnau de Montmiral boasts 12th and 13th century buildings), or more strenuous activities, the area abounds with opportunities for you to have a wonderful holiday.
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