VISIT THE BASTIDES

FROM THE CAMPSITE
Photo ©Ga.hunter15

TO DISCOVER THE BASTIDES
FROM OUR CAMPSITE NEAR ALBI IN THE TARN

Bastides are new towns built during the Middle Ages between 1222 and 1373 in the South-West of France. Today, they still bear witness to that era. At the Soleil des Bastides campsite in the Tarn, you can discover three of the region's most notable bastides: Puycelsi, Bruniquel and Penne.

PUYCELSI,
PERCHED VILLAGE

Our campsite near Puycelsi is located 20 minutes from this small village, exactly at Cahuzac-sur-Vère, in the heart of the Tarn's golden triangle.

The village is perched on a rocky outcrop 150m above the Vère valley.

Take a stroll through the village streets and admire the charming 15th-century mansions. You'll be charmed by the town center's :

  • The church of Sainte Corneille and its impressive 35m long nave.
  • The chapel of Saint-Roch: This was built in 1703 after the village had escaped the plague. Today, this building houses the tourist office.
  • The Porte de l'Irrissou (Irrissou Gate): a reminder of the various medieval attacks on the village. Nearby, you can see the prison tower. You can also walk along the 800 m of ramparts.

Photo ©VIJOROVIC Daniel

Stay at Soleil des Bastides
in an ideal location!

PENNE,
MEMORY OF THE CATHAR RESISTANCE

Penne is 30 minutes from Cahuzac-sur-Vère and 50 minutes from Albi. The Cathar memory is just a few minutes from our campsite.

In this village, you can visit the Château de Penne. Built around 560, it is a vestige of Cathar resistance. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1902.

Below the castle you will find a small cross. This is the plague cross. It was erected in memory of the plague of 1653.

Thechurch of Sainte-Catherine extends the round tower. It too is a listed monument.

The Roman bridge (Pont des Anglès) and the Thouron fountain (former wash house) are located at the bottom of the village.

The Ornano monument, a tribute to the memory of the maquisards, is located on the right bank of the Aveyron.

Photo ©VENT D'AUTAN-MEDIART

BRUNIQUEL,
AT THE GATES OF QUERCY

Bruniquel is also 30 minutes from Cahuzac-sur-Vère and our campsite, and 50 minutes from Albi, in the Tarn-et-Garonne department.

The village is said to have been founded in 600. Both castles belong to the same family and have been listed as historic monuments since 1840.

Close to the village, children can visit the prehistoric camp.

Photo ©MOSSOT

FOCUS

  • Craftsmanship: the three bastides are home to numerous craftsmen and artists. Lutherie, pottery, leatherwork - you're sure to bring back some great souvenirs from the Tarn.
  • Music: for music lovers, Puycelsi is offering a festival of New World music and string orchestra from July 18 to 28. The festival is organized by the HARP association. For classical music fans, Bruniquel offers a music festival specializing in Offenbach at the end of July and beginning of August.

WE HAVE CHOSEN,
FOR YOU

  • At the foot of the village of Puycelsi, you'll find the regional conservatory orchard of ancient fruit species. It was created in 1986. You can visit it to discover over 800 fruit trees. You can also sample tasty seasonal fruit. We also sell fruit trees, fruit and juices from the conservatory's trees.
  • Bruniquel's châteaux were used as a film location for the movie "Le vieux fusil", starring Philippe Noiret - cinephiles, don't miss it!

Our campsite is ideally located for discovering the bastides of the Midi-Pyrénées region.