Each month of September, for a weekend, the European Heritage Days offer the curious and history lovers the chance to (re)discover the emblematic places of the territory by participating in numerous cultural activities. On this occasion, several heritage treasures exceptionally open their doors and unique guided tours reveal all the secrets of local culture.
The 21 and 22 September 2024, lovers of old stones and walkers will be able to discover the eventful history of several villages in Lauragais.

Free visits to discover the villages

Throughout the weekend, tour guides from the Tourist Office will be present in several surrounding villages to help you discover their history and their remarkable heritage.

These guided tours in short format (30 minutes) offer the possibility of composing your own personalized heritage itinerary. All the essential themes of Lauragais will be discussed:

  • Pastel and its golden age
  • The rural world and its history
  • The Canal du Midi
  • Catharism and its imprint
  • The small heritage
  • The religious wars
  • Festive traditions

Complete program of guided tours

Open and free visits / without registration

Saturday, September 21

10:00am to 10:30pm11:30am to 12:00pm14:00am to 14:30pm15:30am to 16:00pm
Negra Lock
(Montesquieu-Lauragais)
Montesquieu-Lauragaischangecchangec
CaramanCaramanLoubens-lauragaisLoubens-lauragais
Avignonet LauragaisGardouchGardouchAvignonet Lauragais
Bourg-saint-bernard
Auriac-sur-vendinelleAuriac-sur-vendinelleBourg-saint-bernard

Sunday, September 17

10:00am to 10:30pm11:30am to 12:00pm14:00am to 14:30pm15:30am to 16:00pm
changecchangecCaignacCaignac
MontgeardNaillouxNaillouxMontgeard
Villefranche-de-LauragaisVillefranche-de-LauragaisCalmontCalmont

the castles open their doors to you

Cambiac Castle

Hidden in the heart of a large park full of charm, this perfectly preserved castle contains unsuspected treasures. Uncover its secrets during a 1-hour guided tour with the owner.

  • Open Friday September 20, Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 13:00 p.m. to 17:00 p.m.
  • Pricing : 7 € per adult / Free -10 years old.
  • Access : D66, 31460 Cambiac
  • Guided tour departures : 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 13:30 p.m., 14:30 p.m., 15:30 p.m., 16:30 p.m.

Valegue Castle

The owner offers to retrace with great passion the history of the castle through the ages. You will discover the exterior of the castle, the kitchen dating from the 18th century and which contains a collection of exceptional coffee grinders and irons, and a large collection of documents dating from the First Empire.

  • Open Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, from 14 p.m. to 00 p.m.
  • Pricing : 3 € per adult / Free -12 years old.
  • Access : 1805 Impasse du General 31290 Vallègue
    Parking right next to the castle

A heritage trail in Faget

Independently, follow a 5,4 km walk to discover the small heritage seen in the village. Along the way you will find the heart of the village, the church, the castle, the ox shoeing work, the bread oven, the wash house, the public weight, the market and the “Moulin” (old pumping factory under renovation. )

  • Free and open access
  • Photo exhibition on my way
  • Buvette on the spot

Open days at Moulin du Faget

This incredible building, dating from the second half of the 19th century, consists of a former pumping station and adjoining grain mill. A steam engine powering the mechanism made it possible to supply a water tower in the heart of the village via a terracotta pipe.

This extraordinary heritage is winner of the Stéphane Bern’s Heritage Mission with the support of Française des Jeux to offer financial support for its restoration and enhancement.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to discover the renovation site.

  • Open Saturday September 21 at 12:00 p.m.
  • On site : guided tour, meal, pétanque competition, raffle, musical entertainment, workshops for children
  • Price: €30 per person
  • Information : 06 72 91 19 26
  • Booking required on the spot at this link

A gourmet stroll in Villefranche-de-Lauragais

Because our gastronomy is an integral part of our heritage, enjoy a unique gourmet stroll to discover the the most emblematic specialties of Lauragais !

During this walk, you will immerse yourself in the history of our gastronomic heritage local while tasting what the merchants of Villefranche-de-Lauragais have to offer.  

  • Events Saturday, September 21 at the General de Gaulle Square in Villefranche-de-Lauragais
  • 2 free visits : from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 17:30 p.m. to 19:00 p.m.
  • Limited places
  • Mandatory registrations : at 05 62 57 09 68 or accueil@lauragaistourisme.fr

Plan your cultural weekend

As every September, the European Heritage Days honor the cultural heritage of Lauragais and all of France.

Find all the events of this exceptional weekend on the Official website.