Set on the banks of the River Agoût, Castres is a town with an unspoilt setting, where historic and sporting traditions come together. Labelled a Town of Art and History in 2022, Castres has a rich past, from which it has retained a strong cultural, architectural and economic identity. But Castres is also a land of sport, thanks in particular to its famous rugby club: Castres Olympique. With JOOKS, you can discover the little Venice of the south thanks to the sports and tourist routes offered by the town.
A stopover on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela since the 9th century, the town of Castres experienced a major economic boom in the 13th century, with the discovery of woad in the region. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the city was severely affected by the Wars of Religion and suffered much destruction.
It was given a new lease of life when it became the seat of the Chambre de l'Édit, and from then on it enjoyed a great cultural and economic boom. Today, Castres is a dynamic, modern and multi-faceted cultural town that attracts many visitors every year.
Castres, historical city
Witnesses to the town's textile past, the houses on the River Agoût give the town its charm and are the source of its nickname: the little Venice of Languedoc. These pastel-coloured workshops of weavers, tanners and dyers can still be seen today. They are not open to the public as they are still inhabited, but you can admire them during your walk or on board the "Miredames" water coach, a wooden boat modelled on the river stagecoaches of the 19th century.
In the 17th century, the boom in trade enabled the town to grow richer, and wealthy merchants built magnificent town houses. Take a stroll through the town centre and you'll discover the remarkable architecture of the Hôtel de Viviès and the Hôtel de Nayrac, both of which are listed historic monuments. Take time to admire the corbelled corner turrets of the Hôtel Jean Leroy or the caryatids and loggia of the Hôtel de Poncet, and have fun trying to discover the unusual details of these sublime residences.
It's impossible to visit Castres without mentioning its native son, Jean Jaurès. The father of French socialism was born in Castres in 1859. So it's only logical that his name should be omnipresent in the streets of the town and that a museum should be dedicated to him. The Centre national et musée Jean Jaurès was inaugurated in 1988 by François Mitterand, and traces the life, work and political commitments of the tribune in chronological order.
The city's cultural and religious heritage is perfectly illustrated by the former episcopal palace. Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, architect to Louis XIV, the building now houses the town hall and the Goya Museum. Created in 1840, the Goya Museum boasts the largest collection of Hispanic art in France, after the Louvre. It includes works by Velasquez, Murillo, Picasso and, above all, Francisco Goya, of whom the museum owns three key canvases: Self-Portrait with Glasses, Portrait of Francisco del Mazo and The Junta of the Philippines.
Castres, sporting city
While the landscapes of the Tarn invite you to go for a walk or cycle ride, the king of sports in Castres is rugby. The town's club, Castres Olympique, was founded in 1906 and currently plays in the Top 14. Based at the Pierre Fabre stadium, named after its patron, the founder of the eponymous pharmaceutical laboratories, Castres Olympique has been French champion five times, runner-up three times and winner of the French Cup. The La Sportive trail will take you in the footsteps of the players and their training circuit.
Castres also has strong links with cycling. It has hosted the start and finish of the Tour de France on several occasions, and is also a stage town for the Route d'Occitanie. This cycling race was created on the initiative of professional rider Jacques Esclassan, a native of Castres, who won the first edition in 1977.
Castres, nature city
Situated between the Haut-Languedoc nature park and the Cambounet-sur-le-Sor regional nature reserve, with the Agoût river and its tributaries flowing through it, Castres has been awarded the "3 flowers" label by the Villes et Villages fleuris (Towns and Villages in bloom) and enjoys a privileged natural environment. There are plenty of green spaces for walkers to enjoy, both young and old.
The town's green lung, the Parc de Gourjade is dedicated to relaxation and leisure and offers a wide range of activities: playground, golf course, mini-farm, etc. Prehistoric remains in the park bear witness to the presence of man in the region as far back as the Neolithic period. The Jardin du Mail is an attractive English-style garden, while the Jardin de l'Évêché, attached to the bishop's palace, is a French-style garden designed according to the plans of André Le Nôtre, Louis XIV's gardener. It was listed as a Historic Monument in 1995 and awarded the "Remarkable Garden" label in 2004.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the Goya Museum to the banks of the Agoût!
Find all the routes in Castres and over 1,300 others on the JOOKS application.
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