Andre and Wendy: Albi

Another day off to visit by train, today we (Andre) picked Albi. We may have saved our favourite small town for last. Well they call it a small town, but it really is a city with a small town felling.

Off to tourist information and get a great map with some different walking trails. We decide to start with the Sainte Cecile cathedral, which is the main draw to this city. The cathedral is from 13^th to 16^th century and is the worlds largest brick cathedral. It is absolutely amazing. Opted for the audio guide again, which was a great choice. If you don't get the audio guide you don't get to visit the choir section, which is stunning. There is so much symbolism all over the church, the audio guide really helped. Frances largest classical pipe organ is here also, we see only a tiny part of the pipes from the pews. Loved our visit here, so much so at the end of the day we came in for one last visit before we left town.

There was 30 chapels running the whole side of the church. The size of the church is 113 meter by 35 meters and has a height of 40 meter aka 442 feet by 115 feet and 130 feet in height. The whole interior is painted. I think lots of people just come to see the church and the leave town as the rest of the town was not very busy.

We didn't visit a lot of other churches, museums and other buildings here, we spent about 4 hours just walking around the tiny cobblestone streets. We crossed over the old bridge, which is over 1000 years old, and under major renovation right now. Both sides of the Tarn river are beautiful. Very few tourists out walking, I think most come for the church and leave. A mailman we ran into while we were looking at a map pointed out a good viewpoint for us. We also had a couple later in the day tell us to open the door beside a sign for a nice courtyard.

Back across the river and we go to the covered market to find something to eat for lunch. We know you must stop by about 1:30 as most all restaurants close at 2PM in France and open again for supper at 7PM. Lunch looked after and back exploring again. We start to run out of gas so stop at a really cute little square for a break with beer and wine. There are only about 10 tables outside in the square, and a sign saying go inside to order your drink. Andre arrives with beverages and the bartender has told him this place is packed at night. This area had a huge fire and the houses were all going to be torn down, but citizens stopped this and now all these historical small houses are still here. It was a really nice spot for a stop.

Finished up our walking and slowly make our way back to the train station. We are a little early so have a break in a park, all of the cities have nice green spaces that are open during the day.

So many people at the train station, lots with suitcases. Friday at 5PM probably locals going to Toulouse or elsewhere for the weekend. The train is really full but we manage 2 seats facing forwards, always a bonus that we have not always been lucky enough to get.

Grab a pizza for something to eat to take back to our apartment. We were given mint tea to have while waiting for the pizza to be ready. We only have a short time before we head out to a concert tonight. Quickly eat 2 pieces of pizza then head out to the Opera House, I looked online and it said the concert is sold out, so we know no upgrade tonight.

Arrive at the Opera House and the doors are all closed, it is still 8 minutes until show time, oops, we remember that tonight's concert is at a different venue. Andre finds the venue address and we are off, 1KM to go and 6 minutes to show time. We have been walking a ton, but that is a long way to go in 6 minutes. Make it with a little detour for construction which is not what we needed, about 2 minutes late. There is a guy running with us at the end, we weren't the only late ones. Thankfully they let us in, second to last row from the top, so 3 flights of stairs to climb, urgh. I can't believe we made it, guy that had to take his jacket off my seat probably wasn't too happy we made it, reminds me of the late arrivals on a plane that you really hope aren't going to take the open seat beside you, yes that was us.

It was an amazing concert, which we picked be use of the clarinet solo. We had terrible seats, but great views of the conductor, and the string section, couldn't see anything else as they were under us. I'm still glad we went, the last piece was from the movie Fantasia, the apprentice sorcerer. The acoustic were amazing in this place. The conductor was fun to watch and for 2 pieces he did not even use the music sheets. The lead violinist was great and she was fun to watch when she got into it.

Back to the apartment by a new route as we haven't been in this area of town yet. Got to speak with Jill and Joey for a bit, making plans to see Jill, Robin and family on Sunday in Montreal. Yes, there will be smoked meat involved again.

One last day tomorrow in Toulouse, and France and then back home Sunday. Wow, 3 months has gone by quickly.

Steps 29,500 or 19 km

24 hour clock, not too many of these, must be new renovation