The Tarn: the ultimate family holiday destination
The Tarn is one of the departments in Occitanie most popular with families on holiday, and it’s no coincidence. With its rolling, verdant landscapes, medieval villages, rivers and spectacular natural sites, the department offers a wonderful balance of adventure, culture and relaxation.
From Le Rousieux Campsite, situated in Serviès in the south of the Tarn, there are many places within easy reach by car. This means you can alternate days of relaxation at the campsite with day trips to Castres, the Sidobre region or the surrounding villages.
The Sidobre: a natural wonder near the campsite
A must-see in the Tarn, the Sidobre is a granite massif that fascinates children and adults alike. Its gigantic boulders, with their astonishing shapes, rise up from a forest of pines and oaks, creating landscapes that are both strange and enchanting.
Places not to be missed:
Le Peyro Clabado
This rock, weighing over 780 tonnes, seems to be balanced on a tiny base. It’s a striking sight, and the children love posing in front of it for a photo.
The Chaos of La Balme
This family-friendly trail winds its way between huge granite boulders. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the full loop with children who are used to walking.
The Trout Leap
This little waterfall, tucked away in the woodland, is a short walk from the car park. It makes for a pleasant, refreshing break during your walk.
Lake du Merle
Surrounded by woodland and striking granite rocks, Lac du Merle is a peaceful spot for a walk or a break with the family.
Discover Castres with the family
A few kilometres from Le Rousieux Campsite, Castres is an ideal destination for a half-day or full-day family outing. The town, through which the River Agout flows, is particularly well known for its colourful old houses, its gardens and its extensive walking areas.
The historic centre is easy to explore on foot. With its quays, small squares and green spaces, a visit here offers a mix of cultural discoveries and relaxing moments with the children.
Places not to be missed:
The houses on the Agout
Once the homes of craftsmen, tanners and dyers, their colourful façades seem to hang over the river. Today, they form one of Castres’s most iconic sights and provide a lovely setting for a family stroll.
The Bishop’s Garden
Situated behind the Goya Museum, this French-style garden offers a pleasant green retreat in the heart of the city. Its carefully designed paths and flowerbeds provide the perfect spot to take a break after exploring the historic centre.
The Le Miredames water coach
During the summer months, this boat offers a chance to explore Castres from the River Agout and to visit Gourjade Park. This peaceful cruise offers a different perspective on the colourful houses and is generally very popular with children.
Gourjade Park
With its vast green spaces, Gourjade Park is ideal for walking, playing or having a family picnic. It offers a chance to round off your visit with a peaceful moment in the fresh air.
Visiting Albi and its episcopal city with the family
With its red-brick monuments, its ancient alleyways and its views over the Tarn, Albi is a must-do activity during the holidays.
Its historic centre is easy to explore on foot with children. The tour offers a mix of cultural heritage, walks and breaks in quieter spots.
Places not to be missed:
St Cecilia’s Cathedral
St Cecilia’s Cathedral makes an immediate impression with its size and its exterior architecture, which is reminiscent of a veritable fortress.
Inside, the colours, paintings, sculptures and the many figures on display are sure to spark children’s curiosity.
The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum
Housed in the Palais de la Berbie, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum is also a great place to visit with the family.
The paintings depicting animals, the circus and performances, as well as the palace’s grand historic rooms, help to make the visit accessible to young visitors.
The gardens of the Berbie Palace
Situated right next to the cathedral, the gardens of the Palais de la Berbie offer a magnificent view of the River Tarn, the Pont-Vieux and the historic districts of Albi.
Visiting them allows you to enjoy a pleasant break in the open air whilst admiring the town from above.
The narrow streets of Old Albi
The pedestrianised streets, half-timbered houses, small squares and brick façades create a warm and exotic atmosphere.
If you’re travelling with young children, a stroll through the old town, combined with a tasty break, is all it takes to really enjoy the town.
Explore Lautrec and the Land of Cocagne
Listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, Lautrec is an ideal destination for a family day out near Le Rousieux Campsite.
The village is best explored at a leisurely pace on foot. Its medieval alleyways, old houses and hilltop mill allow you to discover the local heritage without having to plan an overly busy day.
Places not to be missed:
The Salette Windmill
Perched on the hills above the village, the Salette windmill offers a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
Still in operation today, it bears witness to the region’s traditional craftsmanship and agricultural history.
The Caussade Gate
The Caussade Gate is one of the remaining parts of the village’s old fortifications.
It gives an insight into how Lautrec was organised in the Middle Ages and can easily be incorporated into a walk through the historic centre.
The medieval alleyways
As you stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of Lautrec, you’ll come across half-timbered houses, ancient passageways and a number of examples of medieval heritage.
This relatively short walk is ideal for an outing with children.
Lautrec’s pink garlic
Lautrec is inextricably linked to its famous pink garlic, which has been grown in the region for several generations.
Markets, local shops and events centred around this product offer visitors the chance to discover an iconic speciality of the Tarn.
Make the most of the activities on offer at Camping Le Rousieux
You don’t need to plan an outing every day to make the most of your family holidays. The days spent at the campsite are also among the best memories of the holiday.
Set in lush green surroundings on a manageable scale, Le Rousieux Campsite offers a range of facilities and activities to keep children entertained whilst their parents enjoy their holiday.
A few tips for organising your stay:
Alternate between sightseeing and days at the campsite
After a day out in the Sidobre, Castres or Albi, why not plan a more relaxing day to enjoy the swimming pool, the water slide and the campsite’s activities?
This mix of activities allows the children to rest whilst making the most of their holidays.
Choose one main outing per day
With young children, one long visit a day is usually enough.
This will allow you to explore the area at your own pace, enjoy a tasty break and return to the campsite at a leisurely pace in the late afternoon.
Adapt walks to suit the children’s ages
For walks in the Sidobre or around the villages, choose a route suited to everyone’s abilities.
Make sure you have suitable footwear, plenty of water and plan a few breaks to ensure the outing is enjoyable for the whole family.
Keep a flexible schedule
Timetables, the weather and tiredness can throw a spanner in the works. So make sure you leave a few days free so that you can easily adjust your plans.
An impromptu day by the pool can also turn out to be one of the best memories of your holiday.
Camping Le Rousieux, an ideal base for exploring the Tarn
Located in Serviès, Camping Le Rousieux is a convenient base from which to explore the countryside, towns and villages of the Tarn.
After a day out, you’ll return to the friendly atmosphere of a family-friendly, intimate campsite, surrounded by greenery and wide open spaces.
The heated swimming pool, the paddling pool, the water slide, pony rides and the activities on offer on site also allow you to make the most of those days when you’d rather not take the car.
