The large town of Castres is located in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France, east of the city of Toulouse. It is perhaps best known for the homes that overhang the banks of the River Agout, which runs through town. Once housing cloth dying industries and leather tanneries, these beautiful homes look even more magnificent at night than during the day.

The narrow streets of town are also sure to delight visitors, as will Castres’ pleasant buzz of activity. Be sure to pay a visit to the carefully laid out gardens of yew and box hedges at the Bishop’s Palace, as well as to the Hotel Leroy and Hotel Nayrac - two impressively grand homes in town.

Also plan to rent a car while visiting Castres so you can be mobile and travel easily to the granite plateau region that is located to the east in nearby Le Sidobre. Rivers and woodlands dotted with large boulders and other precariously balanced rocks here are truly worth seeing!