Cordes-sur-Ciel, France
Cordes sur Ciel Holiday Rental Cottages and Chalets, France
Cordes-sur-Ciel is a stunning village in the Tarn department of the Midi-Pyrenees region in southern France. When you visit Cordes-sur-Ciel – you’ll see it long before you arrive: it lies high above the left bank of the Cérou, which flows westward through the middle of the commune. The fortified town was built in 1222 by Raimon VII, the Count of Toulouse, a Cathar heretic. After a history of unrest, Cordes was revived in the mid-20th century, by artists and other visitors who noticed the town's beauty. Albert Camus visited it in the 1950s and remarked that “In Cordes, everything is beautiful, even regret”.
In 1993 Cordes was renamed Cordes-sur-Ciel to reflect the town's site on a hill above the clouds that cover the valley below. Today, staying in a Cordes-sur-Ciel holiday rental cottage is a chance to take in an amazingly well preserved bastide with dozens of narrow streets to explore.
When you rent a holiday home in Cordes-sur-Ciel you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do and see. Points of interest include the Museum of the Art of Sugar and Chocolate. The museum contains hundreds of pieces of art made completely of sugar. The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art which also houses an embroidery exhibition; the Charles-Portal Art and History museum which focuses on the history of Cordes through the ages; Historma, with its 80+ wax models depicting life for the middle classes in the middle-ages; The Jardin des Paradis is a contemporary garden which is well worth a visit too.
When you stay in self catering accommodation in Cordes-sur-Ciel there are numerous festivals held throughout the season some of which literally take over the town. The Medieval Festival of the Grand Fauconnier encourages visitors to join in the fun by dressing in medieval costume. There’s also street theatre, demonstrations of medieval crafts and also the chance to see local birds of prey. For music lovers the Classical Music Festival is a must, with concerts held throughout the town in wonderful settings.
Travelling to your Holiday rental cottage in Cordes-sur-Ciel, France; 25 km north-west of Albi, by the D600. It’s a days drive from France’s northern ports – allow at least ten hours. Nearest airports are Toulouse and Rodez airports - both just over one hour away. Toulouse welcomes flights from British airways, easyJet, Jet2, bmi baby, bmi, Flybe and Air France. Rodez has regular Ryanair flights arriving. There is a railway station, Cordes-Vindrac, 6km away, with direct trains from Toulouse or Gaillac.
Cordes-sur-Ciel enjoys a climate that is much like the majority of the south of France which is mild with short winters, longer summers and no real temperature extremes.