Stop in Villefranche-de-Lauragais, a few kilometers from Toulouse. You will see few vestiges of the past there but the history is really rich and fascinating.

Villefranche-de Lauragais is located on the road to Saint-Jacques de Compostelle (Voie d'Arles) and near the Canal du Midi.
This bastide was founded in the 1800th century, in the middle of the forest of Saint-Rome, which was completely cleared around XNUMX.
Its geographical location was strategic: it was located on the route of the Via Aquitania, the Roman road connecting the Mediterranean Sea to Toulouse built in the XNUMXst century AD.

It was Alphonse de Poitiers, Count of Toulouse and the Lord of Gardouch who were at the origin of the founding of the village in 1252.
Many privileges ratified by Philippe le Bel in 1280 favored its development.

At the start of the Hundred Years War, in 1355, the bastide was set on fire; this is why there is no vestige of its ramparts today. The Ruelle des Prêtres has kept its covered passages, typical of the Middle Ages, and a few half-timbered or turreted houses still remain.

You can also admire the central hall with its high arcades which testifies to Villefranche's important commercial past. In the 7th century, there were up to XNUMX annual fairs for cattle, poultry, sheep, pigs ...
These fairs all stopped after World War II, but there is still a very large market on Friday mornings.

Finally, do not miss to enter the beautiful church of southern Gothic style in red bricks: built in the XNUMXth century, it has an imposing bell-tower with two Toulouse-type towers. Also admire the pretty mermaid carved in wood on the entrance gate.

Guided tour for groups, on request, all year round.

Services

Equipments

  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Tea Room

Services

  • Library
  • Playground

To discover nearby

AUBERGE TERRE DES VENTS

LAND OF THE VENTS HOSTEL

AUBERGE TERRE DES VENTS

LAND OF THE VENTS HOSTEL

GITE DES TOURNESOLS

SUNFLOWER COTTAGE

CANAL DU MIDI

MIDI CANAL

AUX PORTES DE …

AT THE GATES OF ...

MOULIN NEUF

NEW MILL

MÉRIGOU

MERIGOU

MOULIN D’EN TOURET

MOULIN D'EN TOURET

ECLUSE DE LAVAL

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TACOS TIME

TACOS TIME

NEW SUSHI

NEW SUSHI

OH SAVEURS DU VIETNAM

OH FLAVORS OF VIETNAM

L’ENVIE DES METS

THE DESIRE FOR MEALS

ENTRE XIII ET 15

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PIZZA GALLI

PIZZA GALLI

AUBERGE DE LOUBENS

LOUBENS HOSTEL

LE BILLOT DE LEON

LEON'S BILLET

AUBERGE TERRE DES VENTS

LAND OF THE VENTS HOSTEL

LAC DE VALLEGUE

LAKE VALLEGUE

CANAL DU MIDI

MIDI CANAL

PARCOURS D’ORIENTATION

ORIENTATION COURSE

DRAGONBOAT AVIRON

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PLANEUR – ASSOCIATION AVAT

GLIDER - AVAT ASSOCIATION

LE PONEY BLEU

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LAC DE SAINTE MARIE

LAKE OF SAINTE MARIE

PENICHE SURCOUF

BARGE SURCOUF

CINEMA CINE’BOR

CINE'BOR CINEMA