After our super duper brekky in the courtyard at the hotel, we caught the 9.17 train to Albi. This town is famous for two things; one of the most remarkable gothic buildings in France; St Cecile (1282), and it's red brick, and, secondly, Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), the great, gifted post impressionist painter, who had rather a tragic existence. He had a rare genetic disorder and after breaking both femurs, he did not grow taller anymore. He came from a wealthy family (his father was a count) and he also spent some time living in Paris and Verdelais; he is buried in the latter. The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum (1922), holds an astounding 1000 of his works, second only to Musée D'Orsay in Paris. Otherwise, you can see where the artist was born, where, amazingly, there are no sign posts except a small plaque with very little information.

Temperatures had soared to 39 degrees, so, consequently, we had our lunch in the shade - both of us chose salad Niçoise and I was served an extra large beer, which was really refreshing. We chilled a little on a bench at Rochegude, where they have landscaped English gardens and more. Then, we marched to the medieval bridge, and, last of all, saw the Maison de Vieil Alby, housed in a beautiful old timber medieval building, there are exhibitions related to the artist and the town's history, which merit your time. We also took a few pics at the 16th century Saint Salvi Colegiate & Cloister. To quench our thirst, we had a drink and piece of cake for the hell of it.