La Bastide d'Albignac

Stays hereabouts should start with explores of some of the major historical sights of the Tarn, beginning with a pilgrimage to the early-20th-century Viaur Viaduct, France’s first large steel bridge, 40 minutes’ drive away. Turn away, then, from grand feats of engineering with trips to the oh-so-pretty Brousse-le-Château village and its castle (30 minutes), and to Château du Bosc (35 minutes), the family home of famed artist Toulouse-Lautrec. Plenty more to entice history buffs can be found in the large Midi-Pyrénées town of Albi (45 minutes), with explores of its Toulouse-Lautrec museum, fashion museum and Berber palace. Those who prefer to keep feet firmly in the present might wish instead to visit the famed Saint Cécile cathedral, the gardens, or the waterpark. More time out and about in nature ought to be spent on journeys to the spectacularly scenic Gorges du Tarn and Gorges de l’Aveyron (both an hour and 20 minutes away), or with a day wandering among les animaux at Pradinas Animal Park (55 minutes) and Zoo des Trois Vallées (an hour and 10 minutes). For more traditionally French excursions, opt for a visit to the cheese caves of the Roquefort Société (an hour and 10 minutes away), or settle in for vineyard tours and wine tasting at Abbaye Saint Michel (an hour from base) or any of the handful of wineries closer to hand.