As it turns out cold poireaux et roquefort pizza is not that desirable for breakfast so we headed to the supermarché to buy the usual supplies. Today promised to be an easy day’s ride (no, really) and the sun was shining so we were feeling good. Today’s ride highlight was the small village of Ambialet located at a pinch point of an oxbow on the river Tarn. We approached from the North and high above the river where there was a great view of the area. It is a beautiful spot with a chateau sitting right on the narrowest bit between the two parts of the Tarn, but it is also interesting from an engineer’s point of view. What do you do with 2 big water streams, one perpetually a couple of meters higher than the other? Well, for the last millennia you power a mill, but now you make electricity, a tiny hydro-electric station.
After a casual lunch and café in that spot we drifted down the river into Albi. Our hotel is in a nice spot with our room overlooking one of the main squares. The first thing we saw was a large wedding party having photos taken. After the photos the bride and groom and wedding party went through the large crowd (~100) doing the traditional triple cheek kiss. I noticed it was actually everyone greeting everyone else in the same way. Do the math! How many kisses took place? 🙂 Later we would see the same wedding party in the Cathedral St. Cecile, one of the 2 signature attractions of Albi, the second being the museum and gallery of the native Toulouse Lautrec.
The Cathedral is something to behold, said to be the largest brick cathedral in the world, with a few quirky add-ons as well.
We walked around the medieval old town and soon saw there would be music (again!) from various stages being set up, what luck. There was something more though as a group of men arranged part of a tree and a lot of wood for a bonfire. We managed to chat with a man who explained in rapid french it was the fête de feu de Saint Jean, and there would be music, dancing, a torch procession with children, and the big bonfire. And so there was!
Descending towards Ambialet and the Tarn river.
Water is generated flowing under the chateau you see.
We had to climb, on foot, to get to this viewpoint.
Us, blocking the view.
You can get a sense of the size of the cathedral.
There will be fire tonight.
A band playing traditional occitan music, with people dancing up front.
Children with open torches; could this happen at home?
And finally the big burn.
geeteetravels 
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