Between Albi and Lauragais, Lavaur, one of the oldest towns in the Tarn region, played an important role in the history of Catharism, of which it was one of the strongholds.
Its conversion to this new religion led to two sieges, including the bloody assault of 1211 led by Simon de Montfort.
During this war, a legendary figure from Lavaur emerged, Guiraude de Laurac, Lord of Lavaur, who was thrown alive into a well.
Lavaur is worth a visit for its Saint-Alain Cathedral and its large Cavaillé-Coll organ, as well as the Saint-Alain buffet.
Also noteworthy is the Jacquemart, a wooden automaton hoisted in a tower of the cathedral.
Not to be forgotten is the Tour des Rondes, which now houses the Tourist Office and is one of the few remaining vestiges of the city's ancient fortifications, the Saint-François church, considered since the disappearance of the Cordeliers of Toulouse to be the largest Franciscan church in the Southwest, the bishop's gardens and the Place du Plô... not to mention the Bonnafous dovecote and the old houses on Rue Père Colin and Grand-Rue...
Office de Tourisme Tarn-Agout à Lavaur
35 Grand Rue,
81500 Lavaur
Tél. : 05 63 41 89 50
https://cc-tarnagout.fr/loffice-de-tourisme-intercommunal/
https://www.lepaysdecocagne.fr/
Translated with DeepL.com
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