{"id":23361,"date":"2026-08-17T18:59:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T18:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/camping81.com\/?page_id=23361"},"modified":"2026-08-25T22:03:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T20:03:03","slug":"castres-et-les-maisons-sur-agout","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/camping81.com\/en\/castres-and-houses-on-the-agout\/","title":{"rendered":"Castres and the houses on the Agout"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Home<\/a><\/div>\n\n
Our region<\/a><\/div>\n\n
Castres and the houses on the Agout<\/a><\/div>\n\n

Castres and the houses on the Agout<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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A GETAWAY ALONG THE AGOUT RIVER<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Explore Castres from Le Rousieux Campsite<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Just <\/span>20 minutes from the Le Rousieux Campsite<\/a><\/strong>,<\/a> Castres is a must-see destination during your holiday in the Tarn. With the River Agout running through it, the town charms visitors with its colourful houses along the riverbank, its gardens, its museums and the bustling streets of its historic centre.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known as the \u2018Little Venice of the Languedoc\u2019<\/strong>, Castres has a very different character to Albi. Here, a visit centres on the river, the former bishop\u2019s palace and the pastel-coloured fa\u00e7ades reflected in the water. The town centre is relatively compact, making it easy to reach the main sights on foot.<\/p>\n

From Servi\u00e8s, this proximity means you can spend a day exploring heritage sites, going for walks and enjoying culture, before returning to the peace and quiet of the countryside at Camping Le Rousieux in the late afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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WITH THE FLOW<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

The houses on the River Agout, the symbol of Castres<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Lined up along the river, the <\/span>houses on the Agout<\/span><\/strong><\/a> are Castres\u2019 most iconic sight. Their colourful fa\u00e7ades, half-timbered walls and corbelled sections are reflected in the water, creating a particularly photogenic scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first houses date back to the late 12th century. For several centuries, they housed the workshops of tanners, chamoisers, parchment makers, dyers and weavers. These craftsmen took advantage of the river Agout\u2019s immediate proximity to wash, rinse and work the hides and fabrics.<\/span><\/p>\n

To admire them, head to the quays and bridges in the city centre. The views change as you stroll along, with pastel-coloured fa\u00e7ades, wooden balconies and reflections on the river. In the warmer months, a trip aboard a traditional river boat also offers the chance to admire these houses from the River Agout.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ART AND HERITAGE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

The Goya Museum and the former Bishop\u2019s Palace<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Housed in the former bishop\u2019s palace, the <\/span>Goya Museum<\/span><\/strong><\/a> It houses one of the largest collections of Hispanic art in France. The paintings, sculptures, prints and artefacts on display take visitors on a journey through several centuries of Spanish art, from antiquity to the present day.<\/span><\/p>\n

The museum is named after Francisco de Goya, several of whose works are housed in Castres. The collections also showcase the work of numerous Spanish artists and offer an experience that is accessible to both art lovers and visitors who are simply curious to discover one of the Tarn\u2019s major cultural attractions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The building itself is also well worth a look. Built in the 17th century to plans by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, one of the architects of Versailles, the former bishop\u2019s palace now houses the museum and the Town Hall. Its courtyard, classical fa\u00e7ades and proximity to the Jardin de l\u2019\u00c9v\u00each\u00e9 create a particularly harmonious ensemble on the banks of the Agout.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A BREAK IN THE COUNTRYSIDE<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

The Bishop\u2019s Garden, a remarkable garden<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Situated behind the former bishop\u2019s palace, the <\/span>the Bishop\u2019s Garden<\/span><\/strong><\/a> offers a pleasant break between visits. Designed in the 17th century by Andr\u00e9 Le N\u00f4tre, Louis XIV\u2019s gardener, it is one of the few examples in France of embroidery parterres that are still fully preserved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its boxwood arabesques, its pond, its paths and its vistas have been designed to follow the irregular contours of the land. Awarded the <\/span>A remarkable garden<\/span><\/strong>, it winds its way freely and offers lovely views of the bishop\u2019s palace, the municipal theatre and the banks of the Agout.<\/span><\/p>\n

This garden is particularly enjoyable during a visiting with children<\/a>. It offers a chance to take a break in peaceful, well-kept surroundings before continuing your walk towards the cathedral, the historic centre or the houses along the Agout.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Stroll through the historic centre and around Saint-Beno\u00eet<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Centred around Place Jean-Jaur\u00e8s and the former bishop\u2019s palace, the centre of Castres is home to shopping streets, squares, half-timbered houses and several mansions built between the Renaissance and the 17th century.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opposite the palace stands the <\/span>St Benedict\u2019s Cathedral<\/span><\/strong>, built between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Its architecture reflects the religious significance that Castres once held. Nearby, the Italian Rococo-style municipal theatre, the Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Plat\u00e9 and the mansions of Nayrac, Vivi\u00e8s and Poncet round off a tour of the <\/span>Castres\u2019 heritage<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take the time to wander through the streets without sticking to a strict itinerary. The outdoor caf\u00e9s, shops and historic fa\u00e7ades create a lively atmosphere, whilst the quays offer a quick escape to the tranquillity of the Agout.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Practical tips for getting ready for your day<\/h4>