Episcopal City of Albi
Cultural
1337
2010
Cultural
Episcopal City of Albi is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural, inscribed in 2010 (WHS 1337).
Criteria & Perimeter
Inscription criteria
(iv)(v)
Category
Cultural
Summary
On the banks of the Tarn river in south-west France, the old city of Albi reflects the culmination of a medieval architectural and urban ensemble. Today the Old Bridge (Pont-Vieux), the Saint-Salvi quarter and its church are testimony to its initial development (10th -11th centuries). Following the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathar heretics (13th century) it became a powerful episcopal city. Built in a unique southern French Gothic style from local brick in characteristic red and orange colours, the lofty fortified Cathedral (late 13th century) dominates the city, demonstrating the power regained by the Roman Catholic clergy. Alongside the Cathedral is the vast bishop’s Palais de la Berbie, overlooking the river and surrounded by residential quarters that date back to the Middle Ages. The Episcopal City of Albi forms a coherent and homogeneous ensemble of monuments and quarters that has remained largely unchanged over the centuries.
Monuments in the Zone
Selection of protected monuments
- Eglise de L'Hermenault — L'Hermenault
- Maison du 16e siècle de Tours — Tours
- Eglise Saint-Martin de Charenton-du-Cher — Charenton-du-Cher
- Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste — Baillou
- Eglise Saint-Germain de Saint-Germain-des-Prés — Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Palais de Justice de Blois — Blois
- Immeuble sur cours Cambronne — Nantes
- Prieuré Notre-Dame de Longefont — Oulches
- Manoir de Boisset de Meigné-le-Vicomte — Meigné-le-Vicomte
- Ruines du château de Sagonne — Sagonne
- Château de la Vicomté — Blois
- Maison de Orléans — Orléans
- Château de Bossay de Bossay-sur-Claise — Bossay-sur-Claise
- Château de la Noue de Villedômer — Villedômer
- Eglise Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul — Bussy
Appellations of the Landscape
Most-reviewed Loire appellations
| Appellation | Avg score | Reviews | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sancerre | 89.3 | 554 | White |
| Muscadet Sèvre et Maine | 88.6 | 237 | White |
| Pouilly-Fumé | 89.6 | 153 | White |
| Vouvray | 88.4 | 153 | White |
| Touraine | 86.3 | 85 | White |
| Chinon | 88.7 | 72 | Red |
| Menetou-Salon | 87.3 | 69 | White |
| Crémant de Loire | 87.5 | 54 | Sparkling |
| Val de Loire | 85.6 | 41 | White |
| Saumur | 88.4 | 40 | White |
| Anjou | 87.6 | 36 | White |
| Rosé d'Anjou | 84 | 35 | Rosé |
Data source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (data.culture.gouv.fr). Last updated: April 14, 2026.