A symphony in red, the brick town of Albi, home of the Cathars, stands on the banks of the Tarn to the west of the Cevennes. Apart from the cathedral, the main attraction is the museum dedicated to the town's famous son, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Cathars spread a doctrine which contradicted church dogma by dismissing the concepts of purgatory and indulgence, amongst others. One of four Cathar bishops had his see in Albi, hence the name given to the followers of this movement: Albigensians. Two crusades against the Cathars (1209-29) and their persecution during the inquisition by Saint Dominic - in which over 200 wealthy citizens of Albi were burned -ended in 1271 with the annexation of the entire province of Toulouse by the French Crown. This also meant the destruction of Provencal culture.
This enchanting south-facing stone-built house of approx 290 m2, parts of which are 200 years old, carefully renovated to a high specification but retaining its delightful character and original features, is set in tranquil and secluded tree-lined grounds of 1337m2 ( possibility of up to 4 hectares of additional land but not for construction) with a vegetable garden area, no close neighbours and surrounded by protected green-belt cultivated farmland, giving a breath-taking uninterrupted view ...