PRESS PACK : SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES

PRESS PACK

MIDI-PYRENEES

REGIONAL TOURISM

COMMITTEE

Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées

- Villages and historical sites -

Suggestions for sites to visit

Suggestions for sites to visit

Midi-Pyrénées Regional Tourism Committee - Press contact: Solenne Odon

Phone: +33 (0)5 61 13 55 19 – solenne.odon@crtmp.com
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
 PRESS PACK: SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES

Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées:

Villages and historical sites
Suggestions for sites to visit

CONTENTS SUMMARY PRESS RELEASE

Page 2
The Great Tourist Site of Midi-Pyrénées seal of approval:
Midi-Pyrénées has implemented a "Great Tourist Site" seal of approval
- Presentation of the regional scheme that has been awarded to about twenty towns, villages, historical sites,
- List of Great Sites areas of natural beauty and engineering structures.

Pages 3 to 8 This press pack provides an overview of the Great Sites of

Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées - villages
historical sites: suggestions for sites to visit
Page 3: the Ariège collection, 14,000 years of history
- In Saint-Lizier, admire the Pyrenees from Domaine du
Palais
- Follow the footsteps of the weavers along the Chemin
des Tisserands to Montségur
- Fête de la figue in Mas d’Azil
Page 4: Conques (Aveyron)
- Decipher the message of the Conques tympanum
- Take a break at the La Lumière du Roman festival
- A former mill converted into a hotel
Page 5: Marciac (Gers)
- Jazz in Marciac: festival encore
- The spring, autumn and winter jazz sessions
- Around Marciac, vineyards and guest-houses
Page 6: Rocamadour (Lot)
- Delve right into the heart of the sacred city
- During the Easter period, sportelle hunt
- Rocamadour's Fête des fromages
- A hotel befitting the Causses du Quercy
and
Midi-Pyrénées, with a presentation of the villages and
historical sites with this seal of approval: the Ariège
collection - 14,000 years of history, Conques in the
Aveyron; Marciac in the Gers, Rocamadour and Saint-
Cirq-Lapopie in the Lot, Cordes-sur-Ciel in the Tarn.
An overall presentation of each Great Site is provided,
along with suggestions of sites to explore, based on
criteria such as originality, striking scenery or unexpected
discoveries.
The Great Site of Midi-Pyrénées seal of approval is
awarded to sites that are nationally or internationally
famous, offer visitors an enriching experience and are
emblematic of the region’s identity, culture or heritage.
Two other press packs provide suggestions for sites to visit for:
> The Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées: towns, large and
small.
> The Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées: engineering structures
and natural sites

Page 7: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (Lot)

- Catch the best view over Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
- Visit the “jewel of the Lot valley” on a June morning
- Pick your own Saffron in Quercy

Page 8: Cordes-sur-Ciel
- Explore Cordes-sur-Ciel through its legends and mysteries
- Watch Cordes-sur-Ciel emerge from a sea of clouds
- A weekend in the heights of the medieval city, with wine-
tasting initiation
 PRESS PACK: SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES

The "Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées" seal of approval

Presentation of the Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées scheme

The Midi-Pyrénées region has set itself apart by implementing the Great
Tourist Site seal of approval.

Around twenty sites, including the Millau viaduct, Toulouse,

Rocamadour, Lourdes, Figeac as well as the Cirque de
Gavarnie and the Pic du Midi, have been selected as part
of this scheme, in an aim to:

> Promote the Midi-Pyrénées region with a communication

campaign focusing on a group of well-known tourist sites.
Useful resource: the "Touring Great Sites" pages on the
Regional Tourism Committee website (www.tourism-midi-
pyrenees.co.uk). This section features films about the
Great Sites. These films are designed like movie trailers On www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk / “Touring great
and are available in high definition. Each film lasts one- sites” section: films, slide shows and practical information.
and-a-half minutes. Slides are also available on request
for press offices, along with practical information for each
Great Site.

> Facilitate exploration of the Midi-Pyrénées, France's largest

List of the Great Sites of
region, by inviting the public to visit emblematic sites rich
Midi-Pyrénées
with historical, cultural or natural interest.
List subject to additions as other Great Sites are
> Enhance and protect these sites, their distinctive features and heritage. gradually included in the project

> Ensure that high-quality facilities and services are available for visitors > Toulouse – Haute-Garonne
at each Great Site: well-trained staff, a 3-star tourist office, > Ariège Collection, 14,000 years of history (Grotte de
modern infrastructures, sustainable development and Niaux, Grotte du Mas d’Azil, Saint-Lizier, Foix,
accessibility, etc. Montségur)
> Millau viaduct - Aveyron
The Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées operate as a network, > Conques - Aveyron
each one showcasing the region while providing a > Auch - Gers
gateway to the other Great Sites. > Marciac - Gers
> Lourdes – Hautes-Pyrénées
The regional Great Sites project covers issues associated > Cauterets/Pont d’Espagne – Hautes-Pyrénées
with promoting Midi-Pyrénées as a destination, as well as > Cirque de Gavarnie – Hautes-Pyrénées
issues concerning local economic development and land > Pic du Midi de Bigorre – Hautes-Pyrénées
planning. > Cahors - Lot
> Figeac - Lot
> Rocamadour - Lot
> Saint-Cirq-Lapopie - Lot
> Albi - Tarn
> Cordes-sur-Ciel - Tarn
> At the sources of the Canal du Midi: Sorèze, Revel,
Saint-Ferréol – Tarn /Haute-Garonne
> Moissac – Tarn-et-Garonne

2
 PRESS PACK: SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES

Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées:

the Ariège collection –
14,000 years of history

Foix, Montségur, Saint-Lizier,

grottes de Niaux and Mas d’Azil

Admire the Pyrenees from Domaine du Palais in Saint-Lizier.

The Ariège Collection: 14,000 years of
history
With four sites that trace back over a
period spanning from Pre-history to the
Middle Ages, Ariège is one of the more
unusual members of the family of Great
Sites of Midi-Pyrénées.
Start your trip in Ariège with a visit to
Niaux, one of the world's few caves with
cave paintings still open to the public.
Niaux is particularly famous for the cave
paintings in its “salon noir”.
Near Niaux, in Tarascon-sur-Ariège, the
Parc de la Préhistoire (Prehistoric Park)
provides a different perspective, with
workshops and life-like reconstructed
scenes.
Another cave to visit: the grotte du Mas
d’Azil, which gave its name to Azilian
civilisation (12,000BC to 8,000BC) and
was used as a refuge for Protestants during
the religious wars of the 16th century.
Sant-Lizier village is a stopping-point
along the Chemin du Piémont (GR78) and
is evocative of the great era of the Saint-
Jacques-de-Compostelle pilgrimage route.
Foix is the capital of Ariège and is
overlooked by the former castle, from
where Gaston Fébus ruled. Walking around
the narrow streets will give you a good feel
for how the town would have been in the
13th century, when it vehemently defended
the cause of the Cathars.
Montségur is 30km away from Foix and
was the last bastion of the Cathar religion.
The fortress remains open out onto a
panoramic view, which together with the
majestic beauty of Montségur from the
approach, is highly moving.
Together with the Niaux cave paintings, the
medieval village of Saint-Lizier, the city of
Foix and the Cathar château-fortress of
Montségur, the Mas d’Azil belongs to
Ariège's collection of Great Sites.
www.ariegepyrenees.com
www.tourisme-midi-pyrenees.com
Saint-Lizier boasts a number of listed world heritage monuments along
the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle pilgrimage route: St-Lizier church with
its frescos and Romanesque cloister, Notre-Dame de la Sède church and
of course the Palais des Evêques dating from the 17th century. Recently
restored, the latter now houses a 3-star tourist residence designed by
architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte: le Domaine du Palais. Girdled by third-
century Gallo-Roman ramparts, the Domaine du Palais overlooks the city
of Saint-Lizier, and its terraces offer south-facing scenic views over the
Couserans Mountains, a perfect spot for walking and hiking.
www.domainedupalais.fr - Phone +33 (0)5 34 14 49 49.
Follow the footsteps of the weavers along the chemin des Tisserands to
Montségur
Climb up to the château de Montségur, leaving your car at the foot of
the "pog" - a rocky outcrop at 1,207m altitude - on which the castle was
built. This important site in the history of the Cathars can also be reached
via the Chemin des Tisserands, which starts in the centre of Lavelanet,
not far from Montségur.
For centuries, this was the only path used by the inhabitants of Castrum
de Montségur to reach their eyrie in Lavelanet. There were many
weavers among the Cathar population, who would take their wool down
by mule to Lavelanet, Ariège's historical textile centre. This 5hr30 return
hike is described in the topographical guide “L’Ariège à pied, du
piémont aux Pyrenees”.
Don't miss the sound and light show in Foix
Every summer from the 1st to 16th August, Foix puts on a large-scale
sound and light spectacle for the public. In the Théâtre de Verdure de
l’Espinet, at the foot of the castle, over 200 actors, acrobats, singers,
musicians and jugglers perform against giant images and pyrotechnic
effects, re-enacting the great episodes of Ariège's history.
www.ariegeaufildutemps.fr
Fête de la figue in Mas d’Azil
Every year, on the first weekend of October, the fête de la figue revives
the history of Mas d’Azil, formerly a major centre for the Ariège fig
industry. In the 18th century, Mas d’Azil figs were plentiful, even in the
Toulouse markets. In 2003, a fig orchard was created, making
cultivation of
different fig varieties possible once again.. Run by the Confrérie des
Tindoulets de la Figo (Occitan for "Brotherhood of Fig Lovers"), the Fête
de la Figue takes over the whole village. On the programme: a gourmet
market
with fresh figs and fig-based produce, jam making in copper cauldrons,
special fig menus at the restaurants, traditional dance and song, street
entertainment, etc.
Information is available from Toulouse tourist office - Phone: +33 (0)5 61 69 99
90.
 PRESS PACK: SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES

Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées:

Conques (Aveyron)

Decipher the message of the Conques tympanum

The typanum in Conques' Abbey Church is considered a masterpiece of European
Roman sculpture. It was completed in 1125 and depicts the scene of the Last
Judgement, with 124 figures portrayed around Christ in Majesty. To his right:
paradise. To his left: hell. Order and serenity permeate the depiction of paradise,
with well-aligned figures turned towards Christ. The depiction of hell is heavy with
dread, terror and violence and portrays a great jumble of damned souls and
demons. The colours have now faded - blue for paradise and red for hell,
Conques accentuating the contrast between the two. This typanum is loyal to the religious
In the north of the Aveyron, the texts and reveals sharp narration skills. It would have had significant impact on the
escarpments of the high Lot pilgrims, stimulating their devoutness and preventing them from deviating off the
valley hide a village that used to path.
be a Mecca for Christianity.
Conques, tucked away in a Take a break at the La Lumière du Roman festival
The village of Conques is still intact after a thousand years, with its harmonious
natural cirque with lush
grey-blue schiste, ochre limestone and red sandstone, roses, wisteria and wood-
vegetation. Since the 12th
shuttered façades. This setting is even more enjoyable when set to music, as is the
century, this village has been a
case during the La Lumière du Roman Festival. Throughout July and August,
major resting-point along the
Conques hosts a series of concerts in the Sainte-Foy Abbey Church.
Saint-Jacques-de-
Programmed concerts range from medieval music to contemporary repertoires. The
Compostelle pilgrimage route.
concerts benefit from the exceptional acoustics of the Abbey Church, lit by the
Its importance on this pilgrimage
stained-glass windows created by Pierre Soulages. Pierre Soulages was born in Rodez
route led to the inclusion of two
in 1919 and is considered as being one of France's greatest contemporary artists.
of its monuments in the UNESCO
His discovery of the Abbey Church, was a revelation to the 12 year old boy who
list of world heritage sites:
decided to dedicate his life to art. He became the specialist of “black-light” and was
the Sainte-Foy Abbey
commissioned to create the stained glass windows for the Abbey Church in 1994.
Church, and the Pont des
www.tourisme-conques.fr
Pèlerins which crosses the
Dourdou River.
For Conques, it all started in the
11th century when a great
Abbey Church was built by
monks on the foundations of a
former retreat. This building
became a depository for the
relics of Sainte-Foy, a young
Christian martyr. From then on,
a long series of miracles
occurred, attracting hoards of
pilgrims.
The fame of Conques reached its
peak in the 11th and 12th A former mill converted into a hotel
centuries. Its wealth followed the Near Conquest, on the banks of the Dourdou, this 18th century mill has been
same upwards curve, converted into a Hôtel de Charme run by Dominique and Hervé Busset, with 1
materialised in the form of the Michelin star. The Moulin de Cambelong establishment is founded on elegance,
Trésor de Sainte-Foy: a simplicity and gourmet dining.
treasure of goldsmithery, unique The hotel's 10 rooms are each decorated in an individual style with warm, natural
in Europe, exhibited in the colours, wood and stone. Some of the rooms have a river view. The pool overlooks
Abbey Church. the gardens and will be much appreciated during the warm summer months or after
a hike along the St-Jacques-de-Compostelle route. Savour dishes conjured up by the
www.tourisme-conques.fr chef, who sets off in the morning to collect flowers and plants providing inspiration
www.tourisme-aveyron.com for his original creations: Fario d’Estaing trout with elderflower, or home-made ice-
cream flavoured with ivy.
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
Price for 2 days / 1 night in half-board: €240 per person Information and bookings: Midi-
Pyrénées Vacances Loisirs - Phone: +33 (0)5 34 25 05 05 - www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
PRESS PACK: SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES
Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées:
Marciac (Gers)
Marciac
Marciac is a village in the Gers,
famous for its Jazz in Marciac
festival.
A 13th century bastide town,
tucked away in the dips of the
Gers valleys, amidst fields of
sunflowers and vines. The
atmosphere, architecture and
spirit of this 13th century bastide
are typical of D’Artagnan’s
Gascony. Food is taken
seriously here, with famous local
produce such as free-range foie
gras and Armagnac.
Jazz in Marciac was started
over thirty years ago by a group
of friends and has now become
one of Europe's top
festivals. Every August, some
200,000 spectators come to
applaud the stars of jazz.
Diana Krall, Bireli Lagrene,
Didier Lockwood, Keith Jarrett,
Sonny Rollins, Wynton
Marsalis…: all artists who have
contributed to making Marciac a
home base for jazz. Artists who
perform at the Marciac Jazz
festival say so themselves:
"playing in the Marciac Jazz
festival is an unforgettable
experience".
Sharing a passion for jazz and
handing down knowledge: this
notion is fostered throughout
Marciac, where the high school
even runs a jazz module for
pupils.
www.marciactourisme.com
www.tourisme-gers.com
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
Jazz in Marciac: festival encore
Every year, from the 1st to 15th August, evening Jazz concerts are held in Marciac
under a giant marquee. Booking well ahead for these popular concerts is strongly
advised. During this period, music and festivities overflow across the town.
Marciac's fringe festival for example, with a series of free concerts given by some
of the best contemporary musicians on the main square surrounded by medieval
arches.
Other concerts are scheduled in the countryside setting of Marciac's Lake, 500m
walk from a village with art galleries, shops and restaurants. Learn all about jazz
and its multiple forms in the Territoires du Jazz museum which is open to the public
in July and August. Album dedication sessions are also on the agenda, as well as
jazz master classes bringing together jazz musicians and the public.
www.jazzinmarciac.com
Jazz sessions in spring, autumn and winter
Outside the month of August and the great excitement of its festival, Marciac lives
and breathes jazz all year long. From October to June, jazz sessions are
organised once a month, presenting the public with an eclectic programme of
concerts of an excellent level, in the more intimate venue of Marciac's community
hall. Musicians of the likes of Eric Bibb, Mark Whitfield, the Brown Sisters and
Inspirational Charms have played here in the past.www.jazzinmarciac.com
Around Marciac, vineyards and guest-houses
Marciac is located at the crossroads of 4 Gascon vineyards. Saint-Mont vineyard
(with the Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure seal of approval) produces red, white
and rosé wines characterised by their finesse, fullness and bouquet. The small
village of Lupiac sits amid these vineyards, near the birthplace of D’Artagnan. The
Côtes de Gascogne vineyard (local wine) is also near Marciac starring the white
Côte de Gascogne wine.
The two other vineyards are AOC certified: with the prestigious Armagnac
vineyard which will be celebrating its 700 years in 2010, as well as the Floc de
Gascogne vineyard. This aperitif, white or red, is born from a marriage between
Armagnac and grape juice. Tours of estates and wine and spirits storehouses,
meetings with producers with tastings, wine-related events and fine dining, make
Marciac an excellent holiday destination all year long, with privately-run charming
guest-houses providing warm Gascon hospitality.
For unique accommodation in Marciac and around, contact Midi-Pyrénées Vacances Loisirs
on +33 (0)5 34 25 05 00, or visit the website www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
PRESS PACK: SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES
Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées:
Rocamadour (Lot)
Rocamadour
Heading towards the Lot, to the
Causses du Quercy Regional
Nature Park. Here we are right
by the Dordogne valley, also
just by the Gouffre de Padirac
chasm. After a bend in the road,
Rocamadour suddenly emerges:
the medieval village is built in a
series of platforms on the
cliffside, clinging 120m above
the Alzou canyon.
In the 12th century, pilgrims
would cross the whole of Europe
just to pray here, in a village
holding the remains of Saint-
Amadour. It was also the
sanctuary of the Black Madonna
and was an essential stage along
the St-Jacques-de-Compostelle
pilgrimage route.
Enter Rocamadour through the
Figuier gate, then follow Rue de
la Couronnerie: the only street in
Rocamadour, lively and
bordered with boutiques and
exquisite 13th-17th century
houses.
This street leads to a monumental
stairway with 233 steps. This runs
up to the parvis of the
sanctuaries with its 7 squares
and chapels. Amongst these,
Saint-Sauveur Church and the
Saint-Amadour Crypt are listed
Unesco world heritage sites,
along the Saint-Jacques-de-
Compostelle pilgrimage route.
www.rocamadour.com
www.tourisme-lot.com
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
Delve right into the heart of the sacred city
Notre-Dame Chapel emerges on the parvis of the sanctuaries, sheltered by the
72m cliff. Semi-troglodytic in structure, it is considered as being the spiritual heart
of de Rocamadour. It houses the mysterious Black Madonna, an object of worship
from the 12th century onwards, source of the great fame of Rocamadour in
Western Christian Europe in the Middle Ages.
The Black Madonna is a 69cm Roman statuette
in silver and gold-plated walnut. Its frail outline
radiates a spiritual aura felt by many visitors
throughout the ages. In 1936, composer
Francis Poulenc was struck by faith when
contemplating the statue, inspiring his
composition of the Litanies de la Vierge Noire.
The museum of sacred art in Rocamadour
was subsequently named after the composer.
The museum is housed in the former episcopal
palace and exhibits 200 pieces from the site
and other churches of Quercy.
The Easter Sportelle hunt
The Easter bells ring out in Rocamadour, announcing the Easter sportelle hunt
rather than a traditional Easter egg hunt. The sportelle is the medallion which, in
the Middle Ages, acted as a safe-conduct for the pilgrimages on the St-Jaques-de-
Compostelle route.
The Rocamadour sportelle was made of lead or tin and bore the effigy of the Black
Madonna. On Easter morning, families are invited to discover the 1,000 chocolate
sportelles which will be hidden in and around the site.
Information: Rocamadour Tourist Office - Phone: +33 (0)5 65 33 22 00.
Rocamadour's Fête des Fromages
The sacred city is the birthplace of Rocamadour AOC: this little goat’s cheese
which tastes of butter and herbs has been produced in the Causses du Quercy
since the 15th century. Every year, on Pentecost Sunday, Rocamadour organises a
most enjoyable and lively celebration in honour of this cheese.
With participation from 40 producers from the Great South, the celebration begins
with a Fruit of the Earth mass and ends with a competition of farm cheeses. The
day's events include free tastings, presentation of Rocamadour's caprine livestock,
picnic in the countryside and live music. This festival is one of the rare celebrations
exclusively dedicated to cheese in the South of France, starring an AOC guest of
honour every year. http://fromages.rocamadour.free.fr/
A hotel befitting the Causses du Quercy
On the heights of Rocamadour, Hôtel des Esclargies is in the Causses du Quercy
Regional Nature Park.
This 3* Hôtel de Charme was built in the middle of an oak grove, from stone and
wood with loft-style architecture.
The 16 rooms combine refined, natural materials and reflect the natural spirit of
the site, typical of the Causses de Quercy: oak, low dry-stone walls, hedges and
clumps of boxtrees. The hotel is a member of the Hôtels au Naturel charter and
therefore respects eco-responsible practices. Example of prices: from €150 per person
for 5 days/4 nights, breakfast included. Information and bookings: Midi-Pyrénées Vacances
Loisirs - Phone: +33 (0)5 34 25 05 05 - www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
PRESS PACK: SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES
Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées:
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (Lot)
Saint-Cirq-
Lapopie
Leaving Cahors, a road
winds along the cliffs of the
Lot valley towards Saint-
Cirq-Lapopie.
This medieval village
marries the rocky faces
100 metres above the
river, opening onto a
cascade of narrow cobbled
streets, Gothic façades and
fortified doors.
Formerly witness to
flourishing waterway
activity and famous for its
boxwood turning, Saint-
Cirq-Lapopie is a listed site
boasting 13 historical
monuments. The village
has successfully kept its
heritage intact as well as its
charm.
From the start of the 20th
century, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
attracted artists and
Parisian gallery owners,
then a number of artists
from the Surrealist
movement, including
André Breton who set up
residence here. The artistic
dimension of Saint-Cirq-
Lapopie still persists today,
permeating the village's
contemporary art scene
and the international artist's
residence in the Maison
Daura.
www.saint-cirqlapopie.com
www.tourisme-lot.com
www.tourism-midi-
pyrenees.co.uk
Catch the best view over Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
A hotel built by Eric Vivens is due to open in March 2010, opposite the extraordinary
cliff-side village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. The hotel has been designed to emulate a typical
Quercy hamlet, with its different buildings housing a total of 20 rooms and a reception
building built in wood and modelled on the old tobacco-drying barns. This building will
be used for hosting cookery workshops run by designer Rosi and Pierre Larapidie, a
star-rated chef from the Georges V in Paris. Information: +33 (0)5 65 31 21 20.
Visit the “jewel of the Lot valley” on a June morning
It is only outside of the summer months, when the café terraces are calm and the
workshops open up in the refreshing shade of the high-arched Gothic doors, that one
can catch a glimpse of the real character of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. The Gothic refinement of
the houses, the hollyhock that St-Cirq has adopted for its emblem and the site's harmony
as a whole take on a particular form: one can seize upon the spirit of a village that has
barely changed since the time when cabécou cheese (a small goat cheese from the Lot)
was used as currency.
The harmony of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is essentially due to the fact that the houses, which
were built in symbiosis with the cliff, make use of only three materials, all found within a
10km radius.
All the roofs are lined with "tuilot" - thin terracotta tiles from the Lot (made from the local
blood-coloured clay. Each wall is built from amber-coloured limestone taken from the
surrounding prairies. Each door and wooden shutter is cut from brown oak from the
Causse, which is as hard as steel. This results in a vibrant fusion of textures and colours,
nature and architecture.
Pick your own Saffron in Quercy
Quercy Saffron is a spice obtained from a bluish-mauve coloured flower with a
contrasting deep red stigma. The spice, considered a luxury product, is obtained by
removing the stigma. Saffron has been grown in Quercy since the Middle Ages,
particularly around Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Cajarc. It was grown in kitchen gardens by
many families for their own consumption. Now, around 80 growers produce between six
and eight kilograms of saffron a year. In October, when the saffron is in flower, growers
organise visits to their farms and visitors are invited to learn about the secrets behind the
exclusively manual production techniques and purchase saffron stigma on-site.
Quercy Saffron can also be purchased from the Codeval cooperative in Cajarc. This
small town, twenty minutes away from Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, organises the Fête du Safran
every year on the last weekend of October.
Information: Cajarc tourist office. Phone: +33 (0)5 65 40 72 89.
PRESS PACK: SUGGESTIONS FOR EXPLORING THE GREAT SITES OF MIDI-PYRENEES

Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées:

Cordes-sur-Ciel (Tarn)

Explore Cordes-sur-Ciel through its legends and mysteries

Cordes-sur-Ciel
30 minutes from Albi, in the Tarn,
Cordes-sur-Ciel is one of Albi's
main fortified bastide towns,
adjoining the Gaillac AOC
vineyards. Founded in 1222 by
Raimond VII, count of Toulouse,
it experienced great prosperity in
the Middle Ages thanks to
drapery, silk and leather trading.
In the 13th and 14th centuries,
luxury homes were built: the
Maison du Grand Ecuyer,
Maison du Grand Veneur,
Maison du Grand Fauconnier,
and other Gothic palaces
protected by the city's
surrounding fortification system.
The steep narrow streets of
Cordes-sur-Ciel are peppered
with workshops where resident
craftsmen and artists work all
year round: painters, sculptors,
ceramists, leather craftsmen,
stained glass workers, artist
blacksmiths, designers, etc. Also
to be visited: the Musée d’Art
Moderne et Contemporain,
Féerie de l’art du Sucre, not
forgetting the Jardin des Paradis
which is set against the ramparts
and hosts a different theme each
year.
www.cordesurciel.eu
www.tourisme-tarn.com
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk
In the 13th century, Cordes-sur-Ciel was a bastion of the Cathar religion. Three
inquisitors are said to have fallen to the bottom of the wells in the Halle: the
depths of these wells (112m) remains the source of enigma. Cordes is also thought
to have been a home for alchemists.
Between history, esotericism and unsolved mysteries, Cordes sur Ciel invites one to
decipher its codes, and a good place to begin is with the sculptures adorning its
houses. One such sculpture can be found on the Maison du Grand Veneur, where
a finely detailed hunting scene is depicted. In light of the symbolism in use at that
time, the scene can be interpreted as dogs (the inquisitors) hunting wild boar (the
Cathars, holders of true spirituality). In doing so, the inquisitors lose track of the
deer (symbol of Christ) but follow the figure reaching towards the apple tree (the
tree of knowledge).
Numerous other discoveries are to be found, such as the recurring image of the
dragon which runs throughout the sculptures on the façades and is inherent in the
very shape of the town itself, coiled around its rocky hill.
Ask for the "Legends and mysteries" trail description at the tourist office and learn about the
town's hidden secrets. Phone: +33 (0)5 63 56 00 52. www.cordesurciel.eu
Watch Cordes-sur-Ciel emerge from a sea of clouds
After a night in Cordes, meet at dawn at "Pied haut", a high point of the village
from where, on some mornings, the medieval city can be seen emerging from a
sea of clouds. This phenomenon is more common in spring and autumn. The tourist
office will provide you with information on how to get to Pied Haut. Phone: +33
(0)5 63 56 00 52.
A weekend in the heights of the medieval city, with wine-tasting initiation
This weekend trip, two days/one night, is offered by one of Cordes-sur-Ciel's most
beautiful hotels, right at the top of the walled medieval city: l’Hostellerie du Vieux
Cordes. First evening: local produce and AOC Gaillac wine tasting, learning
about the history of grape varieties and an initiation in oenology. Next, enjoy at
leisure the elegant setting of this 3* hotel with rooms overlooking the Cérou
valley, the covered indoor courtyard with its bicentenary wisteria, or one of the
oldest cobbled streets of the fortified bastide town. Yves Thuriès presides in the
kitchen, Michelin star chef and Midi-Pyrénées' celebrated chocolate maker.
Two days / one night deal, half-board in double room: €102/person. Information and
bookings: Midi-Pyrénées Vacances Loisirs - Phone: +33 (0)5 34 25 05 05
www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk