Castres, 20 minutes away to the south, is a gentle, stone built town with Venetian style houses perched over the River Agout, which flows through the medieval town centre. Another wonderful market dominates mornings in the main square, a good spot to pick up the makings for lunch and take in a small aperitif at one of the cafes. Nearby, a museum housing the largest collection of Spanish art in France, is fronted by a small, but perfectly formed topiary garden by Le Nôtre.
