Albi



Albi is a commune in southern France situated in the region Midi-Pyrenées. It is the capital of the Tarn department. It is located on the Tarn River 50 miles northeast of Toulouse. Its inhabitants are called Albigensians (French: Albigeois/ Albigeoise(s)). It was the seat of the Archbishop of Albi.

HISTORY OF ALBI
The first human settlement in Albi was in the Bronze Age.

After the Roman conquest of Gaul in 51 BC, the town became "Civitas Albigensium", the territory of the Albigeois, "Albiga". Archaeological digs have not revealed any traces of Roman buildings, which seems to indicate that Albi was a modest Roman settlement.

In 1040, Albi went through a period of expansion with the construction of the Pont Vieux (Old Bridge). New quarters were built, indicative of considerable urban growth. The city grew rich at this time, thanks to trade and commercial exchanges, and also to the tolls charged for using the Pont Vieux.

In 1208, the Pope and the French King joined forces to combat the Cathars, who had developed their own version of Christianity (a dangerous heresy to the dominant Catholic faith). Repression was severe, and many were burnt at the stake throughout the region. The area, until then virtually independent, was reduced to such a condition that it was subsequently annexed by the French Crown.

After the upheaval of the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars, the bishop Bernard de Castanet, in the late 13th century, completed work on the Palais de la Berbie, a Bishops' Palace with the look of a fortress, and ordered the building of the impressive cathedral of Sainte-Cécile starting in 1282. The town enjoyed a period of commercial prosperity largely due to the cultivation of "Isatis Tinctoria" commonly known as woad. The superb houses built during the Renaissance bear witness to the vast fortunes amassed by the pastel merchants. Albi has conserved its rich architectural heritage which encapsulates the various brilliant periods of its history. A great deal of improvement and restoration work has been done, to embellish the old quarters and to give them a new look, in which brick reigns supreme.

More informations about the History of Albi on the Albi !

WHAT TO VISIT ?
More informations about the places to visit in Albi on the Albi and even the Official Website of the Office of Tourism] !

Free Internet/Wifi Access
Here are some places where you can get some Internet/Wifi access:


 * Bureau Information Jeunesse - Adress: 19, place Sainte Cécile 81000 ALBI - Tel: 05 63 47 19 55
 * Espace multimedia - Adress: médiathèque av. Charles de Gaulle - Tel: 05 63 38 56 20
 * Cyber-base d'Albi - Adress: 60 rue croix verte - Tel: 05.63.36.33.15
 * F.J.T SAINT JOSEPH - Adress: 50, rue Croix Verte - Tel: 05.63.54.16.47
 * APP - GRETA du Tarn - Adress: Lycée Bellevue 10, rue du Commandant Blanché - 81000 ALBI - Tel: 05.63.48.13.70

COUCHSURFERS
There are about 60 Couchsurfers in Albi and its area. You can check the CS Group of Albi or simply a couchsearch to find and contact them.

Meetings
There are sometimes some meetings organised in Albi, just check the CS Group of Albi to see what happen in the city and/or the Regional CS Group of Midi-Pyrenées to see if there is any event in the area.

Coffee or a Drink
Here is a list of persons who are ready to have a drink with you and/or show you the city:

How to get to Albi

 * By Car:
 * By Train:
 * By Plane:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY



 * Police Station:

Commissariat de Police - Tel : 05 63 49 22 81

Gendarmerie nationale - Tel : 05 63 49 50 00

Police municipale - Tel : 05 63 43 74 40
 * Health Urgency:

Tel: 15
 * Hospital:
 * Fireman Station:

Tel: 18
 * Embassy:
 * Emergency Doctor:

INTERESTED LINKS</FONT>
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
 * Regional CS Group: Midi-Pyrenées
 * City CS Group: Albi


 * Albi on Wikivoyage
 * Albi on Hitchwiki
 * Albi on Wikipedia

hitch:Albi