So let’s keep it Tarn and Occitanie shall we, a beautiful deep countryside of my belle France. Very dear to me if have been reading my blog so will let you do the search. Today I like to dwell a bit more on a fortified town or bastide of the region, call Castelnau de Montmiral .
Castelnau de Montmiral one of the most beautiful villages of France as saying a lot. A town between Albi and Montauban. This Bastide Albigensian was founded in 1222 by Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse, who gave the Bastide the same franchises as Cordes sur Ciel and Gaillac. Its primitive name is Castellum Novum montis Mirabilis which means something like the new castle of mount admirable. The diminutive of Montmiral was commonly used in official acts, including in the 19C in the civil status of the village. This diminutive is still used today by its inhabitants.
At the end of the 14C, the Bastide was part of the domains of Count Bernard VII of Armagnac in 1470, king Louis XI took the estates of the Count of Armagnac. Georges II de la Trémoille, sire of Craon, Governor of Tours, councillor and first Chamberlain of Louis XI, obtained from the King the lordship of Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Villeneuve and Milhavet. After 1479, Louis I of Amboise, Bishop of Albi, obtained permission from the king to acquire the lordship. Charles I of Armagnac was reinstated in his lordship in 1484. He settled in Castelnau, where he died in 1497. The lordship then enters the realm of the Royal crown. King Louis XIII, returning from the siege of Saint-Antonin, passed in Castelnau-de-Montmiral on June 24, 1622, housed in Tonnac. It is also the place of residence of the famous Privat family.
Some other things to see here are the Place des Arcades with his pillory. The Notre Dame de l’Assumption Church which the bell dates from 1554. gates such as those of Garrics,and Toulze. The numerous stone and half-timbered houses. The Ramparts. The Castle of Guet destroyed in 1819 which is found on the coat of arms of the village. The Cross Reliquary called Montmiral, executed in 1341 by a goldsmith of Albi and completed by a goldsmith of Toulouse after various efforts. Several small castles are located in the village such as those of Corduriès, Fézembat, Mazières, and Mayragues. Several underground refuge, and the Forest of Grésigne.
However, we were on our road warrior rides in the area and went around the old ramparts of Castelnau de Montmirail by the D964 coming from Gaillac went into the bastide on ave du 8 mai 1945 to the old castle now a big mansion like place with a great lookout into the valley of Castelnau and took a break. One nice old town to be back to for sure, like i said so much to see it can get overwhelming at times.
The proud onlookers to valley of Castelnau are my twin sons
side mansion and garden of old castle ruins
The tourist office of the Tarn on Castelnau de Montmirail in English: Tourist office of the Tarn on Castelnau de Montmirail
The most beautiful villages of France on Castelnau de Montmirail in French: Les plus beaux villages de France on Castelnau de Montmirail
The Catholic diocese of Albi on the Church Notre Dame de l’Assomption in French: Catholic diocese of Albi on Notre Dame Assomption Church
We had no time to see the above church but brochure info tells me it is very beautiful, one more reason to be back away from Albi next time. Another missed was the Château de Mayragues more info in English here: Bastides vineyards and the castle of mayragues
Hope it helps you realise what I missed and the wonderful things to see here, a whole new trip is in order as soon as possible. My belle France is an endless supply of beautiful monuments to see ; enjoy it at Castelnau de Montmirail!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 