Albi Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Patrice Thébault
Wander through the medieval streets of this southern French city to discover historic buildings and a colossal 13th-century cathedral.

Albi is a medieval river city consisting of cathedrals, cobbled streets and one of the finest collections of ancient brick buildings in Europe. With a sumptuous bishop’s palace and one of the largest brick churches in the world, Albi is a testament to the power of the Catholic Church in medieval France. Walk the narrow, traffic-free streets, tour religious sites and explore the medieval villages throughout the surrounding countryside.

Start your exploration of Albi’s medieval centre, known as Castelviel, at the Saint-Cecile Cathedral. Built in the 13th century, this was the largest brick structure in the world upon its completion, and it remains one of the world’s largest brick cathedrals. The cloister towers 258 feet (79 metres) above the rest of the city. The interior is equally impressive, with its blue-and-gold vaulted ceiling, a giant fresco of the Last Judgement on its western wall and a large collection of renaissance art. 

Nearby the cathedral, find the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, dedicated to the art of the post-impressionist painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. He is one of Albi’s most famous sons and the museum features the largest collection of his paintings in the world. There are also works by other painters, including Matisse and Gauguin. The museum is housed inside the grand Palais de la Berbie, the former palace of Albi’s bishop. After your art tour, stroll through the building’s landscaped French-style gardens.

Head outside the medieval centre for a cruise along the Tarn River in a gabarre, a flat-bottomed boat. Admire the 11th-century Old Bridge (Pont Vieux) that spans the river. Drive 20 minutes out of the city to investigate Cordes-sur-Ciel, a hillside fortified town known as a bastide. There are many more bastides to sightsee in the vicinity. 

Arrive in Albi via the international airport at Toulouse, 53 miles (85 kilometres) away. You can easily explore Albi on foot. In fact, one of Albi’s main attractions is walking through the medieval centre.

Where to stay in Albi

Default Image

Cantepau

5/5(2 area reviews)

Though Cantepau may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Laperouse Museum and Toulouse-Lautrec Museum.

Cantepau
ibis budget Albi Centre
ibis budget Albi Centre
2 out of 5
16, rue Castelginest, Albi
The price is ฿1,647 per night from 14 Jun to 15 Jun
฿1,647
per night
14 Jun - 15 Jun
Stay at this hotel in Albi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Maison du Vieil Alby and Saint-Salvi Collegiate ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (302 reviews)
"Nice hotel , beds a little hard prob worth the extra money to do comfort over budget. Lovely staff and close to everything."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2023

ibis budget Albi Centre
Ibis Styles Albi Centre Le Theatro
Ibis Styles Albi Centre Le Theatro
3 out of 5
48 Place Jean Jaures, Albi, Tarn
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,369 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
฿3,369
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Albi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Maison du Vieil Alby and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (352 reviews)
"Really great staff"

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2024

Ibis Styles Albi Centre Le Theatro
Grand Hôtel d'Orleans
Grand Hôtel d'Orleans
3 out of 5
1 Place Stalingrad, Albi, Tarn
The price is ฿3,690 per night from 25 May to 26 May
฿3,690
per night
25 May - 26 May
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Albi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (222 reviews)
"Friendly staff, great location by 10 minutes walk to the city's landmarks, 100 meters from train station and 15 minutes walk to the bus station Albi Gare Routieres, easy to connect with other cities like Castres, Cordes Sur Ciel. Great for families, friends or couples looking for getaways in the ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2023

Grand Hôtel d'Orleans
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Immoappart
Immoappart
2A Rue André Parayre, Albi, Occitanie
Enjoy free parking, a 24-hour front desk and a computer station.
7.6/10 Good! (8 reviews)
Bien
"Bien"

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2024

Immoappart
Le Porta 5
Le Porta 5
3 out of 5
5 Rue Porta, Albi, Tarn
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an in-room coffee maker and slippers.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
Merveilleux !
"Des logements très beaux, des propriétaires aux petits soins, merci beaucoup pour ce moment."

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

Le Porta 5
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Albi

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 33.333333333333336%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 66.66666666666667%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 May 2019

3 nice restaurants in small street off cathedral