VELOCCITANIE - VOIE VERTE DE LA RIGOLE DE LA PLAINE - V84

Revel Saint-Ferréol, the furniture-making town. This stage in one of the Saint James' ways has prospered thanks to the establishment of furniture making craftsmen during the 19th Century (sculptors, bronze craftsmen and woodworkers). Every Saturday morning its superb central market surrounded by covered stands welcomes you to what has been classified among one of the 100 most beautiful markets of France. It is also classified as a “Green Station” and has the label “Ville et Métiers d'Art” as well as being registered among the most beautiful “detours” of France with its famous Saint-Ferréol Lake, the main source of water for the Canal du Midi.

The town of Revel was founded by the French King Philippe VI in 1342. This bastide is organised around a central square where the streets converge in a grid pattern. This square with its polychrome galleries and arcades of brick, wood and stone is a real setting for a splendid medieval market hall.The 14th century market hall is one of the largest in France. It is 39 m each side and is supported by 79 oak pillars. It is the heart Revel citizen life, especially on Saturday mornings when one of the 10 most beautiful markets in France takes place. Revel Belfry, neo-classical style, dates from 1834 replacing a half-timbered and bricks architecture. The belfry rings the bell for the whole town. The country guard and town crier lived there until 1965. It had several functions: watchtower, town clocks and bells, prison and town hall. These two intertwined buildings are subject to a major restoration campaign scheduled to run from late 2024 to spring 2026. Climbing up the belfry will no longer be possible. The roof will be re-tiled, fragile beams replaced, some pillars reinforced, the bell tower masonry restored. The dome covered with its original mateial: fish-scale slates. The clocks will be settled in their original height and the terrace cladding removed to reveal the terracotta floor tiles of it conceals. The terrace door will be returned to its original position. The interior of the tower will also be refurbished to provide the best possible conditions to welcome the public after the works. In the meantime, the Tourist Office will be moved to the Musée du Bois et de la Marqueterie.

One of the ten most beautiful markets in France, under the 14th-century market hall.Revel's central square resounds with the clamour of the crowds every Saturday morning when the Revel market, renowned throughout the region, takes place. Under the roof of Revel's medieval market hall, local producers set up shop between the oak pillars. Butchers, greengrocers, fishmongers, cheesemongers and delicatessens all set up their stalls in the Place Philippe VI de Valois, around the medieval monument. Clothes, hats, shoes, bags and more can be found on the Boulevard de la République. The market takes place every Saturday morning (shifted on 25/12 and 01/01) from 7am to approximately 1pm. A large car park is available on avenue de Castres.

Come and stop at Lenclas lake ! Ideal for sharing a picnic, spending an afternoon or even a few days, Lac de Lenclas is set in a real green setting. With a surface area of 2 hectares and a depth of around 3 m, fishing is permitted. Children's play equipment is also available. And since 3 August 2023, there has been a Velorail on this tourist site. In 2026, a second circuit (2x7.5 km) with a Quizz game will open, heading towards Castelnaudary. An Accrobranche park is just 3 km from Lac de Lenclas. Please note, however, that swimming is prohibited.