Andillac is a lovely village amidst Gaillac vineyards; it is nicely restored, many houses are now secondary residences. Most buildings are constructed in white limestone; there are a few well preserved dovecotes (pigeonniers). The Saint-Médar church dominates the village. As in other places in this area, the church is definitely too big for the small flock: people went away to the cities, looking for a job, because on the country-side it was not possible to survive. Near the church entrance, you will see a a prominent grave: that of Maurice de Guérin and his sister Eugénie. Near the village you will find their domain: the château du Cayla.
The château du Cayla is surrounded by an oak forest. It used to be the home of the French romantic author Maurice de Guérin and his sister Eugénie, now it is a museum devoted to them. However, even if you de Guérin is unknown to you, and you are not particularly charmed by French romantic literature, we recommend you to visit the château, you will get a good impression of the daily life of the bourgeoisie in that epoch. The kitchen with the impressive hearth and the ovens, the sink, the cook's alcove ... On the first floor are the salons where the bourgeois family lived, their sleeping rooms, the drawing room where Maurice de Guérin wrote his poems... The 27 ha park underlines the romantic sphere: a brooklet, a well, a lavoir, a hidden cave... Everywhere you'll see poems of Maurice or excerpts from his sisters journal. Now and then some literature or arts event is hosted in the château.
Walking between the vineyards surrounding Andillac and the château de Cayla is a very nice, with marvelous sights. A Long Distance Footpath (GR 46) is situated next to the domain, en connects 2 of the most beautiful bastides albigeoises: Cordes-sur-Ciel and Castelnau-de-Montmiral, both founded in 1222.
Bed and Breakfast Artichaud is an ecological guest house in
Castelnau-de-Montmiral. Check our web site for a comfortable stay and
for our special arrangements:
Chambres d'hôtes Artichaud.
Text & pictures: © Bed and Breakfast Artichaud
