Gaillac
A cradle of strong and rich personalities, having been touched to the heart by the actions throughout time, Gaillac has more than 1000 years of history.
With a new cycle of expansion towards the end of the 20th. century - and with 11,000 inhabitants, Gaillac progressed without too many scars from its history. It has become the fourth largest commune in the Tarn. The town’s history can be observed in the beautifully preserved buildings in the old town centre, some having become public buildings, which have gradually been constructed since the development of the wine industry.
Watching over the town like an overhanging vine, is the Abbey of Saint Michel. Within the maze of narrow, picturesque roads which crown the historical Gaillac are to be found, large brick dwellings, mansions and towers dating from the medieval to the renaissance period giving proof of the early wealth of the city. A Tuscan air is to be found in the Foucault chateau and its park. The town hall with its vast esplanade from the 2nd. half of the XIX century, typifies the best of the large town developments of its time.
Not to be missed:
the old streets of the Portanelle, an historical quarter of Gaillac,
the thousand year old plus abbey of Saint Michel,
the friday morning market
the wine festival held for a week-end in early August, with its forty odd wine growers who will let you taste their best wines,
Around Gaillac we include the following villages Montans, Cadalen, Saurs, Brens
