Paris1972-Versailles2003

I go around this region a lot in the past due to my dear late wife Martine roots, and while there we decided to go to Castres mainly for the Goya Museum (see post). It was a pleasant decision and a nice visit. We look forward to be back eventually, Therefore, here is my take about curiosities of Castres !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I

Oh yes we came here by car from Albi but there is a train station nice for those on public transports that we passed by on our walks. At the Gare de Castres, today, trains only travel along the Toulouse-Mazamet segment, but the track was renovated in 2011 to allow for faster service.

Inaugurated on April 17, 1904, this Italian rococo-style Municipal theater was built on plans by Joseph Galinier, architect of Toulouse and pupil of Charles Garnier. The interior layout reproduces the comic opera of Paris and the exterior architectural style presents an original blend of borrowing from past centuries and references to the decorative language of its time. The painting that adorns the foyer and the dome overlooking the Hall are signed by Jean-Paul Laurens, decorator of the Paris City Hall, the Pantheon and the Capitole de Toulouse. The painting, representing the performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, is entitled “Music” and is dated 1902. In the dome, a sham depicting a torn velum shows scenes of the classic tragedy: Oedipus and his daughter Antigone, Hamlet and the gravediggers, the dream of Athalie and Prometheus chained to the rock. Nice!

Some of the nice mansions here are the Hotel Jean dit de Nayrac , Hotel de Viviès , Hotel de Poncet, Hotel Jean Leroy , and see the wonderful houses on the Agout river; these houses were from the Middle Ages were the main place of activity for the artisan of different trades such as Tanners, dyers, parcheminiers, paper and weavers.

The Miredames is a wooden boat built in 1990 on the model of the Old River stage coaches that travelled the rivers and canals until the end of the 19C. Its length is 14.35 meters and its width 4.36 meters for a draught of only 39 cm and a weight of 6.8 tons which allows it to sail on the Agout river by the Pont de Miredames. It can board up to 60 passengers. It is a nice ride with time we did not had.

The wonderful jardin de l’évéche or Garden of the bishop ; this garden “à la Francaise” was designed by André Le Nôtre in the pure tradition of the French classicism of the 17C. A real showcase of the city, it is a must for any visitor. The jardin du Mail or Garden of the Mail is arranged in a triangle, bordered by the bus station and the place of the obelisk. It replaces, in 1893, the carpet of the game of Mail. The Mail is the ancestor of croquet and golf….

Some interesting streets are the Place Jean-Jaurès former Place Royale under the monarchy of July (1830-1848) , then Imperial square under the Second Empire (1852-1870), and National square under the Third Republic (1871-1920). After the assassination of Jean Jaurès in 1914 in Paris, the place was renamed Place Jean-Jaurès in 1920. Place Soult is another nice one . Nearby is the Mail garden, the bus station and the police hotel. Every December, the market takes over the place Soult because the Christmas market occupies the place Jean-Jaurès. The place of 8-Mai-1945 is located behind St. Benoit’s Cathedral and the Bishopric of Castres. It is surrounded by old half-timbered houses and arcades extending the episcopal palace .The unit of the 8th Naval Infantry Parachute Regiment (8th RPIMa) is garrisoned in Castres since 1962, neighborhood of Fayolle, Avenue Lieutenant-Jacques-Desplats.

The city of Castres and its heritage: https://www.ville-castres.fr/fr/patrimoine

The city of Castres on the river boat rides: https://www.ville-castres.fr/fr/bateau-promenade-le-coche-deau

The Tarn dept 81 tourist office on Castres : https://www.tourisme-tarn.com/decouvrir/incontournables/castres/

There you go folks, a nice and wonderful city of Castres , it is worth the detour, me think.  Always looking forward to be back, eventually. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Castres !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!