The former palace of the bishops, the Palais de la Berbie is the prestigious setting of the Toulouse-Lautrec museum. Built in the XNUMXth century, La Berbie is one of the oldest castles in France, even prior to the construction of the famous Papal Palace in Avignon, in the Occitanie region.
La Berbie, an imposing fortress
Le palace of the bishops of Albi or Palais de la Berbie (BISBIA Occitan word which means bishop) is built on a naturally fortified site, as a belvedere over the Tarn. Its military architecture affirms the power of the bishops against the consuls of the city. Over the centuries, the Bishops have transformed it into a pleasure residence. Listed as a historic monument in 1862, it is one of the best preserved episcopal palaces in France.
Palace and Sainte-Cécile cathedral form a striking and unique set of the episcopal city listed as World Heritage since 2010 by UNESCO.
The oldest part of the palace resembles in its architecture the Sainte-Cécile cathedral. The side part of the palace, on the Quai Choiseul side, is topped with slate roofs, typical of the castles on the banks of the Loire. It is no coincidence because these roofs were added by the Amboises, bishops of Albi from the end of the XNUMXth to the beginning of the XNUMXth century but originating from the banks of the Loire.
How to visit the Berbie Palace?
Discovering the Palais de la Berbie is organized around 3 major assets:
- reach the dominating belvedere point the palace gardens, the banks of the Tarn, the right bank district. (free access)
- enter at Toulouse-Lautrec museum, via the main courtyard: a museum unique in the world in a palace full of character.
- follow a guided tour of the episcopal city which addresses in particular the two brick giants: cathedral and palace.
History of the construction of the palace
A remarkable garden
The former garrison courtyard of the palace has been adorned witha beautiful garden reminiscent of French gardens. This bucolic place offers a beautiful panorama on the river et the end district of the bridge on one side and the imposing cathedral on the other. – Walk in free access on the walkway.
|Opening hours from January 01 to December 31, 2024