Cordes-sur-Ciel
A hilltop fortified town from the 13th century that looks like a "city in the sky" in the morning mist. It is lined with Gothic merchant houses.
Cordes was founded in 1222 as a hilltop fortified town built by the Counts of Toulouse. On autumn and winter mornings it is often wrapped in cloud, which gave it the name "Cordes in the Sky". In 2014 it was voted France's favourite village. Along the steep cobbled streets stand many 13th- and 14th-century Gothic merchant houses, most of which now house craft shops and galleries. Cars must be parked at the bottom of the hill, and you can walk up or take a small tourist train. It is about 80 kilometres from Toulouse and is often combined with Albi on a day trip.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, Palais de la Berbie
- Albi Cathedral
- Cité de l'espace
- Marché Victor Hugo
- Halle de la Machine
- Toulouse Cathedral
- Basilica of Saint-Sernin
- Musée Saint-Raymond