Albi

Travel Guide
Albi showing interior views as well as a small group of people
Wander through the medieval streets of this southern French city to discover historic buildings and a colossal 13th-century cathedral.

Albi is a medieval river city consisting of cathedrals, cobbled streets and one of the finest collections of ancient brick buildings in Europe. With a sumptuous bishop’s palace and one of the largest brick churches in the world, Albi is a testament to the power of the Catholic Church in medieval France. Walk the narrow, traffic-free streets, tour religious sites and explore the medieval villages throughout the surrounding countryside.

Start your exploration of Albi’s medieval center, known as Castelviel, at the Saint-Cecile Cathedral. Built in the 13th century, this was the largest brick structure in the world upon its completion, and it remains one of the world’s largest brick cathedrals. The cloister towers 258 feet (79 meters) above the rest of the city. The interior is equally impressive, with its blue-and-gold vaulted ceiling, a giant fresco of the Last Judgment on its western wall and a large collection of renaissance art. 

Nearby the cathedral, find the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, dedicated to the art of the post-impressionist painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. He is one of Albi’s most famous sons and the museum features the largest collection of his paintings in the world. There are also works by other painters, including Matisse and Gauguin. The museum is housed inside the grand Palais de la Berbie, the former palace of Albi’s bishop. After your art tour, stroll through the building’s landscaped French-style gardens.

Head outside the medieval center for a cruise along the Tarn River in a gabarre, a flat-bottomed boat. Admire the 11th-century Old Bridge (Pont Vieux) that spans the river. Drive 20 minutes out of the city to investigate Cordes-sur-Ciel, a hillside fortified town known as a bastide. There are many more bastides to sightsee in the vicinity. 

Arrive in Albi via the international airport at Toulouse, 53 miles (85 kilometers) away. You can easily explore Albi on foot. In fact, one of Albi’s main attractions is walking through the medieval center.

Where to stay in Albi

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Cantepau

4/5(1 area review)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Cantepau and surrounding area, you can visit Laperouse Museum and Toulouse-Lautrec Museum.

Cantepau
ibis budget Albi Centre
ibis budget Albi Centre
2 out of 5
16, rue Castelginest, Albi
The price is CA $47 per night from Apr. 19 to Apr. 20
CA $47
CA $56 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 19 - Apr 20
Stay at this hotel in Albi. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Maison du Vieil Alby and Saint-Salvi Collegiate Church are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (291 reviews)
"Nice hotel , beds a little hard prob worth the extra money to do comfort over budget. Lovely staff and close to everything."

Reviewed on Jul. 4, 2023

ibis budget Albi Centre
B&B HOTEL ALBI
B&B HOTEL ALBI
3 out of 5
Rue de Bourdes, Albi, Tarn
The price is CA $77 per night from Apr. 5 to Apr. 6
CA $77
CA $89 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 5 - Apr 6
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Albi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Circuit d'Albi and Albi Cathedral are located nearby. Discover ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (172 reviews)
"Very clean, which we liked, but oddly, there was mold on the ceiling of the shower! the cleaning person needs to look up. Easy to clear up! Otherwise, very nice decor, comfortable room, good location to go into Albi and to get back on the road. Good value. Looking forward to the breakfast!"

Reviewed on Sep. 8, 2019

B&B HOTEL ALBI
Campanile Albi Centre
Campanile Albi Centre
3 out of 5
4 Avenue de Lattre de Tassigny, Albi, Tarn
The price is CA $90 per night from Apr. 5 to Apr. 6
CA $90
CA $102 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 5 - Apr 6
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Albi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Laperouse Museum and Albi Old Town are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (318 reviews)
Basic Hotel 3***?
"On arrival hotel looked basic, rooms were very clean but small. Felt as if the hotel was more for backpackers. Would not recommend if you wish to stay in the hotel as the seating area is seperate to the accommodation block."

Reviewed on Jul. 26, 2022

Campanile Albi Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Le Porta 5
Le Porta 5
3 out of 5
5 Rue Porta, Albi, Tarn
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Albi. Enjoy free WiFi, a kitchen, and a sitting area. Popular attractions Laperouse Museum and Toulouse-Lautrec Museum are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
Parfait !
"Très bon rapport qualité prix pour ces appartements rénovés avec goût et spacieux. Proche du centre ville et en même temps très calme."

Reviewed on Feb. 23, 2024

Le Porta 5
Appartement de 110 m² Avec Piscine et Grand Jardin
Appartement de 110 m² Avec Piscine et Grand Jardin
Albi
Stay at this apartment in Albi. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Circuit d'Albi and Maison du Vieil Alby are located nearby. Discover ...
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Superb hosts
"We couldn’t have been happier with our stay. Our hosts were very welcoming and friendly and couldn’t do enough for us. Super company and wonderful clean pool. Great location to visit Albi. Highly recommended."

Reviewed on Aug. 28, 2023

Appartement de 110 m² Avec Piscine et Grand Jardin
townhouse in Albi Labeled holiday key Approval number 081MS000128
townhouse in Albi Labeled holiday key Approval number 081MS000128
Albi
Stay at this golf vacation home in Albi. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Albi Cathedral and Maison du Vieil Alby ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (25 reviews)
Great stay in Albi
"The property is in a great location, just 5 minutes walk to historical sites. The place was spotless when we arrived and the owners took time and went through everything with us even some suggestions of places around Albi to go see. Would not hesitate to stay there again when we are in the area."

Reviewed on May 3, 2023

townhouse in Albi Labeled holiday key Approval number 081MS000128
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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