Another of my favorite regions of my belle France, this is the new Occitanie that is really very old… I found me some older pictures not yet in my blog,and they should. After all, this is my life’s story and like to share it with the world. Therefore, here are my personal curiosities of Occitanie !!!
At the top of the medieval city of Cordes-sur-Ciel, it was in 1989 that Mr. Yves Thuriès, twice Meilleur Ouvrier de France, opened the Museum of Sugar and Chocolate Arts, where he set up his pastry laboratory. A Gothic-style bastide dating from the 14C where a man from the Tarn, passionate about good taste and a job well done, cooking, his pastry, his chocolate and his transmission, all the qualities of a companion of duty. From the start of your visit, you will be amazed by the permanent and unique exhibition of works of art made of sugar and chocolate. You will (re)immerse yourself in the worlds of the Middle Ages, mythology, nature or even tales and legends. A wall exhibition will accompany you throughout your visit, retracing the journey of a visionary, creator and companion of duty that is Mr. Yves Thuriès. Finally, to end this visit and delight your taste buds, a gourmet tasting of their specialties will be offered to you around an exchange on the know-how of the house in the shop area. To complete your gourmet experience and by booking in advance, you will be able to ask their sugar and chocolate specialists for a demonstration where they will share their secrets with you. (Exclusively for groups from 10 and up to 25 people per demonstration.) After discovering the museum and its works made of sugar and chocolate, you will have the pleasure of finding all their chocolate and biscuit delicacies in the boutique. And of course, my boys!!!
The Yves Thuriés pastry chocolate shop on the museum: https://yvesthuries.com/page/le-musee-des-arts-du-sucre-et-du-chocolat-7
The Place de la Bride offers you a vast panorama to the north, over the Cérou valley. You are almost at the top of the Puech de Mordagne. However, this is not where Cordes sur Ciel was to be built. The Count of Toulouse had chosen a nearby hill, the Puech Gaubel. Alas, the construction site was a disaster, the walls demolished every night by an evil spirit. Exasperated, a workman threw his trowel away, then searched for it in vain. It was a shepherd who found the tool on … Puech de Mordagne. Sign from heaven, obviously! It is therefore this summit that was chosen for the construction of the new city. And my boys and dear late wife Martine, our Frenchie!!!
The city of Cordes sur Ciel on its heritage: https://www.cordessurciel.fr/en/discover/cordes-sur-ciel-cites-medievales/
The Place aux Couverts, or Place Paul Saissac is the largest covered place in the South West of France with about 4425m². It remains the center of Lisle sur Tarn ; visit there, it is simply sublime. The Griffoul fountain in the center of the square was done with a frieze which adorns the basin interrupted by the Occitan cross and the fleur-de-lis which symbolized the union of the county of Toulouse and the crown of France. This basin, dating from the 13C, is overhung by a bronze cherub fountain, cast in 1611. And of course, more of my boys!!!
The Toscane Occitane tourist office on Lisle sur Tarn: https://www.la-toscane-occitane.com/place-lisle-sur-tarn
Bar Les Clips at Les Arcades Boudidou, 1 Pl. de la Trebaille, Albi, Has the great anecdote that walking all over the City and late we stumbled upon on it behind the Basilica and settled for a quick snack and some drinks, Memories forever indeed, I have briefly mentioned in other post but no pictures lol! Here I found them for you and me! Nowdays the reviews are down but it was a memorable moment in a memorable spot behind the Cathedral Basilicaof Saint Cecilia (see post). Below of course, two of my boys, my dear late wife Martine, and me ;;))
The RestaurantGuru reviews on the Bar Les Clips of Albi: https://restaurantguru.com/Snack-Bar-Les-Clips-Albi
There you go folks, another dandy road warrior trip in my belle France and gorgeous Occitanie region, Hope you enjoy my personal curiosities of Occitanie as I and thanks for reading along my escapades.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
Leave a Reply