June 25, 2009:
The next stop of our 2009 France travels was Albi, home to the fortress-like St. Cécile Cathedral and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Then we went into the hills to explore the ruins of two Cathar Castles, the Château de Quéribus and Château de Peyrepertuse. Finally, our 2009 France trip finished in Arles, with a walking tour of the city and its Roman-era monuments.
In 1282, Bishop Bernard de Castenet initiated the construction of the St. Cécile Cathedral to establish it as a stronghold of Catholicism against the Cathar heresy. This gave the St. Cécile Cathedral a fortress-like look, softened by its pink brick construction. The Cathars, who called themselves the Bons-Hommes, or good people, believed in reforming the church and ending poverty. However, their reforming zeal eventually led to the denial of the authority of the church. The cathedral’s austere style reflects its defensive role and power over the Cathars.
St. Cécile Cathedral
Albi is also home to the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum (open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am – 12:30 pm, 2 – 6 pm, closed Monday; +33 5 63 49 48 70; https://musee-toulouse-lautrec.com/. We enjoyed the historical presentation of his works.
Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
The ruins of Cathar Castles – the Château de Quéribus and the Château de Peyrepertuse, further demonstrate that it was the Catholic Church who won the Crusades of 1209-1229 against the Cathars in the region.
Château de Quéribus
Château de Peyrepertuse
Our final stop on our 2009 France tour was Arles, where we took a Rick Steves’ Self-Guided Walking tour of the city. Along with several Roman monuments, this walking tour was filled with canvases showing Vincent Van Gogh’s works painted in Arles.
Le Café Van Gogh, Former Place du Forum, Yellow House
St. Trophime Church
Obelisk in the Place de la République
Cloisters – Arles
Theatre Antique (Ancient Theatre)
Amphitheatre
Van Gogh Foundation
Place Voltaire
Place Lamar Gate
Starry Night Over the Rhône Easel