The villages around Toulouse
The Toulouse hinterland is full of charming medieval villages, witnesses to the region’s rich past. Discovering these villages is difficult other than by car, so the best solution is car rental in Toulouse. You will access these villages around Toulouse via small roads while enjoying the wonderful landscapes of southern France.
Less than 100 km from Toulouse
In the Tarn, you will find splendid villages not too far away. At 82 km from Toulouse, the fortified village of Puycelsi overlooks the Vère valley and the Grésigne forest. It can be reached in 1h30 via the A68 towards Albi, then after Gaillac, by small roads towards Montauban.
By taking the N113 to St-Benoît, then continuing north, you will reach Lauzerte, a magnificent medieval bastide on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
Closer to Toulouse, between Albi and Castres at 77 km via the A68, the medieval village of Lautrec is a former viscounty classified among the most beautiful villages in France.
In the Gers, Lavardens and Sarrant are also less than two hours from Toulouse. Take the N124; Lavardens, dominated by its magnificent castle classified as a historical monument, is located after Auch, on the D103. Sarrant, an ancient medieval bastide whose historic heart is remarkably preserved, is found after Isle-Jourdain, on the D165 after Cologne.
More than 100 km from Toulouse
From your car rental agency in Toulouse, head south and take the A64. 112 km further, you will reach the wonderful village of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges. This stopover village on the Santiago de Compostela route is famous for its cathedral and its remarkably preserved Gallo-Roman buildings.
Car rental in Toulouse is also a good way to discover the villages of the Gers: by taking the N124 to Auch, several sites are accessible. Towards Condom, small roads crossing the Gers countryside will lead you to Larressingle, a 13th-century fortified village overlooking the vineyards producing the famous Armagnac. A little further is Fourcès, the only circular bastide in the Gers!
In the Tarn, take the N88 to Albi, then the D73 to Blayes-les-Mines. Just after is Monastiés, a formerly fortified village on the Santiago de Compostela route.
