Toulouse is good, it’s beautiful, it’s big and it’s also located in the South-West of France, next to several beautiful villages ! This article is for travellers, who want to discover the must-see places around Toulouse. 

Here are 5 must-see villages :

– Carla-Bayle

Carla-Bayle is a French commune, located in the department of Ariège in the Occitanie region. Close to Toulouse, it is the ideal place for a short stroll with family, friends or lovers. The village overlooks the valleys of the Lèze and Arize rivers and is composed of the old Huguenot citadel, birthplace of the Protestant philosopher Pierre Bayle. This charming place has recently undergone renovations to enhance its streets, ramparts, municipal and religious buildings and the houses of local residents. 

​– Cordes-sur-Ciel

This famous village is located near Albi and will celebrate the 800th anniversary of its creation by the Count of Toulouse in 2022. Discover a place full of history. Its medieval city perched on top of the cliff will offer you a spectacular view. Stroll through the medieval streets, admire the fortified gates, the ramparts, the sculpted gothic facades and the hidden corners. 

– Bruniquel

The charming village of Bruniquel is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Located in the department of Tarn-et-Garonne, Bruniquel dominates the valley with its imposing silhouette made up of two castles. Its medieval town is a real architectural gem. You can visit an open-air museum, the old town hall, the market hall, the barracks of the English… This village is also known as the starting point for several hiking trips in the Aveyron Gorges.

– Sarrant

This village is a bastide situated in the north-east of the Gers in the Gascon land. You will enter its medieval town through a vaulted gate dating from the 14th century, a symbol of Sarrant’s medieval past. Not far from the town of Auch, Sarrant is a place strongly marked by its historical past and offers you a visit to its fortified village, arranged in a circle around the church of Saint-Vincent.

– Lautrec

Classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Lautrec is located between Albi and Castres, in the Tarn. The medieval town is the birthplace of the Toulouse-Lautrec family, of which the painter is the illustrious descendant. Come and discover this charming town with the collegiate church of Saint Rémy, a listed historic monument dating from the 14th century, stroll through the fascinating village streets, pass through the gates and walk on the fortifications of the Caussade. Contemplate the famous half-timbered houses, the windmill, the 15th century covered market, the wells and underground silos…