Rabastens and around
Set in the Western part of the department, within a few kilometres from where the river Agoût joins the Tarn, Rabastens stretches out between the Tarn and the hillsides where vineyards producing Gaillac wines converse with flamboyant fields full of sunflowers.
All dressed in red brick, Rabastens shines a sparkling pink on summer mornings in which the proud buttresses of the old town are given a soft red glow. You are invited to take your time in Rabastens, in order to appreciate the gaiety in the streets and the gentleness of the banks of the river and to get to know the inhabitants during the saturday market. The impressionable and majestic halting place on the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle pilgrim route at the church of Notre Dame du Bourg, surveys and guards the bridge, which crosses over to the other side of the river to the village of Couffouleux. The latter deriving its name from the confluence of the rivers Tarn and Agoût. Set in serene yellow and green countryside reflected from planted vineyards and fields, it takes a little time to discover Couffouleux: it must be said that the commune is big and rich in buildings aged more than a hundred years, large farms built in mud bricks, typical churches ( there are 4 in all!). Around a corner, Loupiac appears on the edge of the first terrace on the Tarnaise plain. Now that distances have been shortened with the motorway and lying between two large employers, Albi and Toulouse, these villages are now all following the same pattern of their nearby towns. Historically rural, businesses have now set themselves up, families are happily finding homes and are enjoying a more active social and cultural life.
On the opposite side of the A68 corridor extends the vast forest of Giroussens, ideal for ramblers (on foot, horseback or on cross -country bikes) and mushrooms pickers. At Giroussens itself a unique panoramic view will allow you to embrace a view taking in the plain of the river Agoût and the beginning of the Lauragais. As you look back you will see the the modern ceramic house, a place to discover the old traditional ways mixed with the modern methods of this commune, which for many centuries has made pottery. Looking back towards the North, beyond Rabastens, chief town in the canton, are hills stretching out of view sprinkled with little chapels, dovecotes and large cyprus trees. Here are to be found the villages of Mézens, Roquemaure, Condel, Grazac, Tauriac, Salvagnac...Those who live here are still peasant farmers cherishing and cultivating their lands with respect.
The Rabastinois, are a thousand and one havens of peace, bordering with the Gaillacois where life is gentle. Almost 10,000, inhabitants in 7 communes.... and perhaps you as well soon.
