From Cathars to Kings: Albi and Cordes-sur-Ciel Day Trip

Discover how these towns were once part of the County of Toulouse, a region that developed a strong cultural and political identity during the Middle Ages. Hear about the Albigensian Crusade in the early 13th century, a major military and religious conflict aimed at eliminating Catharism, a Christian movement considered heretical. Learn how this event led to the region being reintegrated into the authority of the French kingdom and brought firmly under the control of the Catholic Church. Visit Albi, a major episcopal center organized around the bishop, who held religious, political, and economic power. See the monumental buildings such as the cathedral and the episcopal palace, which are part of a coherent system of control and organization of the city.

nd VII of Toulouse, just after the first phase of the crusade. Discover how Cordes was created to secure the territory and reorganize population and economic activity. See how the town became prosperous, especially during the 13th and 14th centuries, thanks to trade and craftsmanship. Admire the Gothic houses, structured streets, and concentration of civil architecture that still reflect this prosperity today.