To see in Rabastens
Rabastens is probably best known for its spectacular 13th century Notre Dame du Bourg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, positioned on the route of the Way of St. James, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. The interior of the church has to be seen to be believed. Remarkable frescos, dating from the 13th to the 16th century, depict the life of St. James.
The interesting 19th century Église Saint Pierre des Blancs, one of a number of churches, now serves as an exhibition centre.
Just out of the town lie the remains of a vast Gallo-Roman villa, which was destroyed at the beginning of the 5th century, and whose inhabitants sought refuge in Rabastens.
A number of exhibits from the Gallo-Roman villa are displayed, along with a wide range of other items, at the Musée du Pays Rabastinois museum, housed in a beautiful late 17th century mansion in the centre of town.
To visit nearby
Lisle sur Tarn (8km from Rabastens) has the largest covered square in South West France and is also the only fortified town on the Tarn’s plain to have a port, which allowed it to flourish through exporting wood and wine. It is a lovely town to wander around, and those with a sweet tooth may like to visit the museum dedicated to the art of chocolate!
For keen gardeners, a visit to the ‘Jardins des Martels’ (about 10km away) is a must. In nine acres of gardens, there are more than 2,500 varieties of plants from all five continents, ponds and lakes covered with lilies, and a conservatory with many exotic plants.
