Spotlight on 100% Tarn tours, gastronomy and craftsmanship

Publié le : 24 juillet 2025

At the heart of the Occitanie region, the Tarn is not content to live in the shadow of the great culinary classics of the South-West. Of course, cassoulet and foie gras have their place here, but this département offers much more: authentic flavours, a rich terroir and age-old know-how. A stay at the Mercure Castres L'Occitan is also an opportunity to discover this living heritage, with local gastronomy and exceptional crafts. Here are a few highlights not to be missed.

Gastronomy with character

Pink garlic from Lautrec, a local pride

It's impossible to talk about the Tarn without mentioning Lautrec pink garlic, a noble condiment with a subtle flavour, grown using traditional methods. Label Rouge and IGP, it's the epitome of local agricultural excellence. A visit to Lautrec, a charming medieval village listed as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’, is a must to discover the secrets of its production. And for the more curious (and greedy), let yourself be tempted by a pink garlic soup.

Lacaune charcuterie: tradition and flavour

Next, head to Lacaune-les-Bains, at the gateway to the Monts de Lacaune, where traditional pork butchery is a veritable art form. Salaisons Oberti, a family-run business founded in 1956, opens its doors to visitors to reveal its production secrets. Here, time is of the essence: cured hams, sausages and other specialities are matured slowly, using traditional methods. You'll feel this expertise in every bite.

Gaillac wines: a thousand-year-old vineyard

To accompany these products of character, what could be better than a glass of wine from Gaillac, one of the oldest vineyards in France? Nestling between Albi and Toulouse, a number of estates open their doors to you for a wine-tasting tour and a stroll through the vines. It's a great way to discover the friendly atmosphere of the Occitan region.

Tarn crafts: deep-rooted expertise

Pastel, the blue gold of the Tarn

Did you know that the Tarn has long been famous for its ‘blue gold’? Woad, the dye plant that gives the region its unique shade of blue, has played an important role in the region's history since the Middle Ages. Today, the Château des Plantes in Cambounet sur le Sor continues this tradition, producing woad in the heart of the Pays de Cocagne. A fascinating tour will take you on a trail of pastel, from harvesting to dyeing, revealing the secrets of its unique colour. It will also highlight the many modern uses of woad, from textiles to cosmetics.

Graulhet and the House of Leather Trades

Another of the Tarn's pride and joys is the leather industry in Graulhet. Once the capital of the megisserie, the town has preserved its rare expertise in leatherwork. The Maison des Métiers du Cuir (House of Leather Trades) offers an educational trail to help you understand all the stages of processing, from the raw hide to the finished product. It's a technical and sensory experience that's perfect for young and old alike.

Albi pottery: a living tradition

Finally, for those who like to get their hands dirty, head for Albi, where craftsmen and women continue the pottery tradition. In some workshops, you can even take part in an introductory course to create your own piece. This immersion in local craftsmanship is an opportunity to take home a unique souvenir, hand-crafted and full of the soul of the Tarn.

A stay at the Mercure Castres L'Occitan to explore it all

Located close to these treasures, the Mercure Castres L'Occitan hotel is the ideal base for exploring the region. After a day of sightseeing and discovering, you can relax in the warm atmosphere of the hotel, enjoy the terrace or the restaurant, where local produce also has pride of place.

In conclusion, the Tarn is a destination with character, combining the richness of its terroir with the finesse of its craftsmen. Much more than just a stopover, it's an immersion in an authentic, living culture. What if your next getaway took you to the place where Occitanie reveals its finest flavours and finest crafts?

Contact :

MERCURE CASTRES L’OCCITAN
201 Avenue Charles de Gaulle, 81100 Castres
06.83.88.08.22
commercial@hotel-occitan.com