Gaillac is a small town on the river Tarn, in the south-west of France. Its origin is a settlement around a Benedictine monastery, probably around 950. Probably the Gaillac wine originated from the Roman period; the Benedictine monastery played an important role in the development of the Gaillac wine: the monks selected the best soils and grapes, and ordered that only oak barrels should be used, thus guaranteeing a better maturation and conservation of the wine. Under their supervision also, the first wine cellars were built, and the transport was organised over the rivers Tarn and Garonne, and exported via Bordeaux to northern Europe and the British Islands: the famous “claret”.
In 1221 Gaillac was awarded the city rights, both from the monastery and the count of Toulouse: from that period on, the town was ruled by the “consuls”, elected by the citizens. The crusade against the Cathars, called for by the French king and the pope, uprooted the entire Languedoc: Gaillac was taken and occupied, the city walls were pulled down, but all in all, the town was not annihilated, as were other places. The 16th century's religion wars weer more devastating: in 1572 the Huguenots minority was defenestrated from a window in the St Michael's Abbey, and then slaughtered in the Tarn river. One should not forget the Hundred Year's war, and the Black Death: the Gaillac population was nearly exterminated.
In the 18th century re-population began, followed by a renewed economic development thanks to he Gaillac wine.
Gaillac remains a small town, with about 12 000 habitants. It plays an important regional role as supplier for the local markets and industries, as an administration and services center, as a nodal point for schools. It is not an typical tourist destination, but nevertheless, it is nice to stroll in the Gaillac streets, to visit a church or museum, to have a glass of (Gaillac) wine on a terrace. You shouldn't miss the marketplace with its fountain, called “Griffoul”, a walk around the “Portalet” quarter, and the river bank.
Worthwhile museums:
The Gaillac wine has a good reputation: a rich soil, an appropriate micro-climate, particular varieties of grape (braucol, loin de l'oeil, mauzac...), skilled labourers and wine makers, traditional methods of producing wine enriched by modern techniques and above all: a decent price-quality ratio. If you never tasted Gaillac wine, you should do so.
Bed and Breakfast Artichaud is a comfortable and ecological guesthouse,
located in Castelnau-de-Montmiral,
a medieval bastide near
Gaillac. Our guests are free to consult our documentation about the
gaillac wine area; also we might give you some hints for visiting
interesting wine
growers. And of course, on our gourmet dinners we serve only Gaillac
wine.
Text & pictures:© Bed
and
Breakfast Artichaud
+ info:
Gaillac & bastides tourist office
