A 30 minute, 26km drive north west of Albi brings one to Cordes- sur Ciel, literally Cordes on the clouds. Park in the township below, call into the Office du Tourism and wander up the cobbled street to the 13th century village of Cordes-sur-Ciel.
Like so many French villages, it’s a wonderful defensive location above the surrounding valleys, but nonetheless beautiful for all of that.
Monesties
Looping back towards Albi from Cordes sur Ciel, we came across Monesties, yet another pretty village but lovely for an afternoon stop, wander and glass of vino to complete.
Lacrouzette
Heading south from Albi towards Castres and Carcassonne, and turning left just before the former takes us to the amazing rock formations at Lacrouzette in the Sidobre granite massif.
Pedro Clabado, see picture top left, weight estimated at 780 tons sitting on a one metre square base. Quite extraordinary rock formations, we spent a great morning exploring.
Travels with My Wife 