Paris1972-Versailles2003

And I stay in the Tarn dep 81 of my Occitanie region in my belle France. I need to tell you a bit more on another town which is dear to me ,written briefly before ,and not enough photos! yikes!  Therefore, here is my take on this is Gaillac !!! Hope you enjoy it as I. My dear late wife Martine had uncles here and now cousins still there just outside of town, see my previous posts. Gaillac was our base and we love it , the charm of the town always fascinated me for its quaint architecture and history I like.   I need to tell you a bit more on another town which is dear to me ,written briefly before ,and not enough photos! yikes! I even get my wines from here !!! The best way to reach it and the other towns is by car of course, the D988 or old N88 link Toulouse with it which links with the N20/A20 from Paris or the autoroute A68 from Toulouse. The D112 from Toulouse thru Lavaur and the D631 to Graulhet, the D12 /D87 to Giroussens etc etc. Parking is always very easy to find as these are smaller town with nice squares. Gaillac, is a wonderful laidback country town but the center of one of the best wines in France. One of the red grapes Duras is one of the oldest in the world, and the Mauzac for whites is typical of the area. The train stations are easily found on the TER Occitanie web, but I have not use the train nor bus in the area yet, car is king for me. Bus transportation is available but less frequent in my opinion, the bus site for all the Tarn towns is  LIO. What is there to see in Gaillac, other than the wineries, and the wine center at the historical Abbaye Saint Michel , by place St Michel and behind it the river Tarn flowing freely ;it is also the tourist office. Built in 972 and rebuilt in 1221,it is very nice to visit for the architecture alone. Here is the Maison des Vins de Gaillac . Many battles between the royal forces and the cathars were held in the town, one of the principal reminder is the rue de l’Anquillé very quaint old medieval and site of hand to hand combats,   headquarters of the order of Chevaliers of St Jean de Jerusalem.  The place d’Hautpoul where the hotel de ville is located is big and wonderful square. As well as the picturesque and nice plaza the place du Griffoul with a nice fountain typical of the area which we love to stroll when in town. Do take a walk on the Place du Griffoul and see the house at 10 place du Griffoul next to the arcades market hall in brick done in 1842. See the wonderful tower and it has a nice small enclosed garden. All on top has a terrace with a cover of tiles held by beams; the windows takes you to the main building , all in gothic style of the 13-15C. In the middle a nice fountain of Griffoul. 17-18C. It , also, caught our attention a nice statue on bd Gambetta of a Violinist call La Violoncelle. Nice coming in to city center Gaillac! The city of Gaillac on its heritage: https://www.gaillac.fr/decouvrir/sites-remarquables/ The Local Toscane Occitaine tourist office on Gaillac:   https://www.la-toscane-occitane.com/en/gaillac There come into the countryside of my beautiful Tarn and see more marvels of my belle France. Gaillac is one nice gem off the beaten path really to see, recommended indeed. Again, hope you enjoy the post on this is Gaillac as I. And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!