MONTMIRALThings to do
Castelnau de Montmiral hosts a wealth of different arts, musical and gastronomic events throughout the year, especially the summer. The Quinze Aout celebrations and the festival Aligot Saucisse are particularly lively and go on well into the early hours of the morning. The local area also boasts a plentiful range of sporting and leisure facilities. Throughout the summer there are many activities in and around the surrounding towns and villages including jazz festivals, classical music and rock concerts, markets and fairs. For the more energetic there are fabulous walks, cycle tracks and of course stunning views for artists.
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Toulouse & around
Situated on the left bank of the River Garonne, Les Abattoirs has become one of Toulouse’s top cultural centres. For many, it’s most memorable work is the huge auditorium curtain on display, which was created by Picasso. The gallery’s collection now includes around 2,000 works of contemporary art.
Housed in a former Augustinian monastery, Musee des Augustins is noted for both its fine collection of paintings and artefacts and its unique setting in one of France’s finest 14th Century monastic buildings. Exhibits feature everything from Romanesque sculptures, through to Renaissance and Classical works, as well as Italian and French paintings. The work of Toulouse-Lautrec is also found here.
A private museum of paintings, bronzes and works of art from the collection of George Bemberg, the greater part of which consists of paintings from the Renaissance through to the French modern schools.
The building itself is worth a visit as well as the work it houses. One of Toulouse’s finest mansions, built in 1555, it has a series of 13 themed rooms and is especially renowned for showcasing some wonderful collections of Impressionists, Fauves and the French Modern School. The highlight is without doubt the Bonnard Room, which has an astonishing 30 paintings and sketches, an absolute gem.
www.ville-castres.fr Musee de Goya in Castres
Local Museums
www.marie-albi.fr Musee de Toulouse Lautrec in Albi which houses a fine collection of Lautrecs drawings, paintings and lithographs.
www.ville-gaillac.fr Musee des Beaux-Arts in Gaillac
Musee de Chateau de Cayla in Andillac 05 63 33 90 30
Other Activities
Walking/hiking: Mainly located in the Forest of Grésigne, at Puycelsi. www.franceonfoot.com
Swimming: The Base de Loisir, 2km from Castelnau, has a lake for swimming along with pedaloes, tennis and volleyball (05 63 3316 04). The aquatic leisure centre at Cordes has three pools. There are indoor and outdoor pools at Gaillac (05 63 81 01 50) and a lake at Monesties.
Gardens: Jardin des Paradis at Cordes: 05 63 56 29 77. Jardin de Martels at Giroussens 05 63 41 61 42.
Forests: Foret de Gresigne near Puycelsi 05 63 33 15 11. Foret de Sivens near Castelnau.
Wine tasting: There are too many vineyards to list here, but there is a popular circuit to follow starting from Gaillac.
0 30