Mazamet is in the Tarn, south of France. It’s a place of dramatic natural beauty, of soaring mountains and floral pastures, lakes and hilltop villages. So, what is there to do in and around Mazamet?
Montagne Noire
Mazamet’s wonderful backdrop is the stunning Montagne Noire montagne range. Despite the name, it’s an oasis of green for most of the year with its deciduous trees and pine forests. It’s dotted with lakes, medieval villages and even vineyards. The peak reaches up 1,211 metres (Pic du Nore) and the Montagne Noire is a year-round playground of cyclists, walkers & nature lovers alike.
Lac de Montagnes
7km from Mazamet sits the Lac de Montagnes. It’s a peaceful setting with great facilities from a small sandy beach, mini-golf, snack bar, restaurant. You’ll find (and its not for the faint hearted) l’Acro Park here. In the summer months a twice-daily free shuttle bus runs from just 200 metres from La Villa to the lake. Guests are welcome to take towels and a cool bag to enjoy a picnic of items bought at the morning market.
Hautpoul
Origins of the town of Mazamet started with this unique medieval village which clings to a steep-sided valley in the Montagne Noire, just 5 km from Mazamet. Over 800 years of history, some of it very bloody during the 13th century siege by Simon de Montfort, a visit during your stay is a must. You’ll definitely marvel at how the houses, castle and ramparts would have been built. Thethe medieval gardens have been restored; there is an annual re-enactment weekend and a twice-annual night time candlelit walk organised by the office of tourism. You can also take a 90 minute walk to Hautpoul from La Villa and enjoy lunch or a cold drink at the Taverne D’Hautpoul as a reward for the final steep climb!
Carcassonne
The same distance to the south of Mazamet as Albi is to the north, Carcassonne is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. “La Cité” is the largest inhabited medieval walled city in Europe. As the second most visited attraction in France after the Eiffel Tower, expect crowds in the peak summer months. Take our advice and arrive early in the day or after the tour buses leave late afternoon. A visit to Carcassonne, combined with a boat trip on the Canal du Midi which runs through the city, is a must.
The Cathar Museum
If medieval history is of interest a visit the Cathar Museum in Mazamet is a must. We recommend you commence your tour in Hautpoul then marvel at the amazing fortified villages and chateaux which make up the Cathar trail in the region.
Magnificent markets
Every week of the year there are at least three markets taking place in the centre of Mazamet (Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday). The large Saturday market fills the streets close to the mayor’s office with fresh, seasonal produce, most of which is produced and grown within just a few kilometres of the town. In the winter, from early November until late March, a Marché du Fois Gras takes place each Sunday. During July and August, a wonderful Marché de Producteurs sees local vendors sell food ready to eat (both hot & cold) with local wines, beers and desserts. Visitors and locals alike enjoy a feast on a table to accommodate more than 200 people – a great spectacle and a great atmosphere too.
Golf
One of France’s top 20 golf courses, La Barouge, is a short 5 min drive from La Villa. This 18 hole course is beautifully maintained with a unique 18th green where you need to chip across the road! Guests at La Villa receive a 15€ discount on the normal green fees too and lunch can be enjoyed at the restaurant with far-reading views over the fairways towards the Montagne Noire.
Toulouse
With a regular train service from Mazamet to Toulouse (departing just 2 mins walk from La Villa) – a day out in the “pink city” with its great architecture, galleries, Michelin Star restaurants and Roman ruins are always a favourite.
As the new capital city of the Occitanie region (the 2016 combination of the Languedoc and the Midi Pyrenees) Toulouse has much to offer – we highly recommend a morning’s walking tour with expat Penny. You can also take an excellent bus tour with audio guide and pay a visit to the home of Airbus and explore how they make the A380 and their newest aircraft the A350.
Albi
Just 45 mins to the north of Mazamet and La Villa sits the UNESCO World Heritage city of Albi. One of its main attractions is the awe-inspiring red brick gothic cathedral, the largest in the world of this style and dating to the 13th century. Adjacent to the cathedral, the largest collection of Toulouse Lautrec’s paintings outside of Paris are homed in a designated museum.
A boat trip on the River Tarn, a stroll through the chic shops & boutiques, and a lazy lunch on the plaza in front of the cathedral make Albi one of the most popular day trips for guests staying at La Villa.
Walking, hiking and Cycling
The choice of walks from the doorsteps of La Villa to a day out in the Montagne Noire or the Haut Languedoc National Parc are endless.
In the centre of town, enjoy two heritage walks that explained Mazamet’s historical wool industry and world-wide importance for wool import. Take a walk to Hautpoul or the Lac de Montagnes – or ask us about various walking circuits from 5km to 55km (a great source of walking information is Mazamet’s office of tourism website)
If cycling’s your thing, you have certainly come to the right place! Be it a gentle cycle along the Voie Verte (a 65km cycle path on the former railway line which brought the wool into Mazamet) – to the training route of local Tour de France cycle legend Laurent Jalabert, the roads around Mazamet are a cyclist’s dream. You can download and print a variety of cycle routes from the informative website of our office of tourism (link above).
by Peter Friend at La Villa de Mazamet
