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Cathedrale Ste-Cecile

Near place du Vigan | in the medieval center of town, Albi, France
05-63-43-23-43
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Ranked #1 of 11 attractions in Albi
Type: Religious Sites, Architectural Buildings
85 visitor photos
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272 reviews from our community

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    1
Date Rating
Oxford, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
96 reviews 96 reviews
71 attraction reviews
Reviews in 55 cities Reviews in 55 cities
36 helpful votes 36 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 May 2013 NEW

We arrived in Albi in pouring rain which got steadily worse and we got more soaked despite an umbrella. We parked centrally in an underground car park and proceeded in the wrong direction for what we perceived was the centre. Having returned, crossed the road to a book / card shop we were pointed in the right direction. Battling against... More

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London UK
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

The largest brick cathedral in the world is well worth a visit, even a detour. The interior is quite unexpected after the austere exterior and the audioguide particularly good.

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San Luis Obispo, CA
Top Contributor
59 reviews 59 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013

This cathedral is like no other cathedral - anywhere. First, it is all built of red bricks. Second, the external appearance is massive and looks more like a fortress than anything else. Inside, the floor plan lacks the traditional cross-shape. The audio guide explains the historical reasons for these decisions, which relate to the Cathar heretics, also known as Albigensians,... More

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Tucson, Arizona
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
34 attraction reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
82 helpful votes 82 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013

If you have to choose between Carcassonne and Albi, our hosts at our B and B said, go to Albi. It's not as jammed with tourists, and it's every bit as charming. It also has the largest brick cathedral in the world and a world-class museum of native son, Toulouse-Lautrec. If you're driving, follow signs for centre-cite and use the... More

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Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Top Contributor
58 reviews 58 reviews
22 attraction reviews
Reviews in 33 cities Reviews in 33 cities
53 helpful votes 53 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

Ok so I am not the Cathedral kind of person but this one is impressive. Not just from outside but also from inside. There is a very nice history about it. Not build at first like a regular Cathedral but like a fortress. Check out the Cathares story for more info. This is why its architecture is so particular. And... More

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See 3 more reviews by Happy_Mag for Albi
New South Wales
Top Contributor
63 reviews 63 reviews
21 attraction reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2013

This cathedral is very different to many you will see and, alone, is worth planning a visit to Albi. Admission is cheap as is the audio tour which is essential because it gives great information. Make sure you pick up the cathedral plan when you pick up your audio guide or nothing will make much sense. Planning is not big... More

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See 2 more reviews by Travelbug18 for Albi
Melbourne, Australia
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2013 via mobile

This place is truly amazing. It is HUGE and worth spending time in. We paid 3 euro for the upstairs room and headset audio and it was great. The roof is incredible. So decorative.

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Newcastle, Australia
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

This is a cathedral like no other. It is Gothic, but its construction differs in that there are not the 3 separated areas inside, but just the one. It looks really daunting from the outside, but the inside is quite overwhelming at first. If you plan to visit the Toulouse-lautrec Musee too, it is worth purchasing a combined ticket at... More

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Berlin, Germany
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 March 2013

I went there again today for probably the 4th time. The ceiling is stunning. The paintings of heaven and hell are amazing and makes one think about the control exercised by the medieval church.

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Fishers, Indiana
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 January 2013

This cathedral is immense from the outside and beautifully painted on the inside. Great depictions of people burning in cauldrons in hell, as well as happier heavenly scenes!

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