The charm of the Tarn

Go due south-west and you will cross the Lauragais district, the home of Pastel Woad, a local source of wealth which explains why this area is known as a ‘Land of Cockaigne’, a land of Plenty, the Pays du Cocagne.

Where Haute Garonne and Aude meet, this land of plains and hillsides still retains the attraction of its days of splendour…

And, here, it isn’t just a fairytale…

Today this is one of the areas in the Tarn department in which the rebirth of Saffron production can be seen.

Head towards the Pays de Cocagne and the Tarn Lauragais area.

This is a walk that will bring history to life for you:

Puylaurens and the birth of ‘Marianne’ – symbol of the French Republic;

The Château de Magrin and the secrets of pastel woad cultivation;

Lavaur, with its clock figures, will tell you of Dame Guiraud, the Cathar, and her crusade;

and the former Royal abbey-school of Sorèze has a few surprises for you, including its majestic setting and the list of important people who have spent time there.

Not far way is the spot where Pierre Paul Riquet laid the first stone in the Tarn of the channel which was to feed the famous Canal du Midi, a UNESCO world heritage site.

This is a land of plenty and people come from far and wide to the markets at Réalmont, Lavaur, Puylaurens to haggle over poultry, vegetables and the Pink garlic of Lautrec.

This area is a land of rebirth, where cultivation of Saffron has sprung up once more.

Take a break to enjoy the calm beauty of this landscape where the outlines of dovecots spring up unexpectedly across the plains and hillsides.
This ‘Land of Cockaigne’ has learnt how to preserve the essence of its traditions and the art of living the good life.