The Heritage Days, which take place on September 21 and 22, are the ideal opportunity to visit sites near you that you have never been to, or, on the contrary, to rediscover in a different way places that you know; Le Journal Toulousain has selected four ideas for unusual visits to do with the family in Tarn-et-Garonne.
Immersion in the Middle Ages at Gramont Castle
The Château de Gramont, in Tarn-et-Garonne, opens its doors free of charge to visitors from 41e European Heritage Days. This year, its courtyard will come alive thanks to the historical reenactment troupe “Le Petit Meschin”, which will present, through several stands or stalls, aspects of medieval daily life. Tools, clothing, vocabulary: everything is designed for
dive into the Middle Ages during a visit. Throughout the weekend, you can try your hand at various activities. With the stonemason, discover the tools and techniques of yesteryear that allowed the construction of castles such as that of Gramont. With the bellatores stand (those who fight), the jousts of the knights during the Hundred Years’ War will no longer hold any secrets for you. And you will have plenty of time to try your hand at medieval writing in the calligraphy workshops.
Don’t forget, of course, to visit the castle: from its medieval origins to the Renaissance, it offers a range of atmospheres and decorations, which make this building a unique monument. Beyond its architecture and its furniture, you can enjoy a temporary exhibition dedicated to the female figure in the Aubusson tapestry of the 17th centurye century: Circe, Cleopatra and their sisters. Antique or mythological, these portraits of women are represented with all the know-how of the weavers (upholsterer artisans who carry out weaving on a loom).
Practical information: Château de Gramont, Le Bourg, in Gramont. Free admission on September 21 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. More information on the website.
Everything you need to know about nuclear power at the Golfech power plant
Where does electrical energy come from? How does a nuclear and hydraulic power plant work? What are the large cooling towers used for? All these questions will be answered during your visit to the Golfech power plant, which is taking part in the Heritage Days by welcoming you to its discovery area. You will learn in particular that this low-carbon electricity production site is the largest industrial employer in Tarn-et-Garonne with its 1,000 employees, and that the power plant produces the equivalent of around 50% of the electricity consumption of a region like Occitanie each year.
A guide will enlighten you by explaining what happens within these walls, before diving into the heart of the facilities. Equipped with a helmet and safety shoes, loaned free of charge, discover the workings of electricity production. You will then join the footbridge of the hydraulic power plant from where you can observe the nuclear power plant in its entirety. You will continue your tour with the presentation of a special structure: the fish elevator, which helps preserve the biodiversity of the Garonne, in particular its migratory fish.
Practical information: EDF nuclear power plant in Golfech. Free entry on September 21 and 22, but registration is required. More information on 05.34.39.42.03 or on the site’s website.
The river heritage of the Montech Water Slope
The Montech Water Slope is one of the most unusual attractions in Tarn-et-Garonne, which you will have the opportunity to discover, or rediscover, during the Heritage Days. It is aa unique structure in the world which allowed boats to avoid having to go through five successive locks. Commissioned in 1974 and closed to navigation since 2009, the Pente d’eau has become an essential element of the local river heritage. It has been restored and enhanced by a fun and educational project which, since 2021, has allowed visitors to walk along the lateral canal of the Garonne over a distance of 2.7 kilometers, to discover a site that is both natural and technical, offering an unexpected experience. Moreover, the Heritage Days will be an opportunity for a stroll along the canal, alongside the staff of the Pente d’eau, who will tell you the whole story of this extraordinary structure. And on September 21 and 22, the most curious will even be able to extend their stroll with a technical visit: a former pilot of the water slope machine, which now sports bright colors, inspired by the Memphis artistic movement, giving it a modern and dynamic look, will explain its atypical operation to you.
Practical information: La Pente d’eau, 21 rue de l’usine in Montech. Free access but reservations are required for the visits which will take place on September 21 and 22 at 2:30 p.m. at 05.63.64.16.32 or by email [email protected]. More information on the website of the place.
In the lair of the Caylus military camp
Enter the largest restricted area in Occitania. The “lieutenant-colonel Normand camp”, better known as the Caylus military camp, allows the public to pass through the barriers during the two Heritage Days. La Grande muette will reveal to visitors the heritage treasures that are found on site, and that it is working to preserve. Because this French army training camp is full of remarkable sites of interest such as a dolmen, a hamlet, gariottes (dry stone huts), a mill, phosphate mines and an entire endemic environment. Local curiosities that walkers can discover by following a marked route, by vehicle then on foot, to the most remote places of the camp. Hiking clothing is also recommended.
The military dimension of this place will of course be highlighted since you will be told on site the history of the camp and that of the 6e RPIMa, based in Caylus since 2019, the famous battalion which distinguished itself in Indochina, under the orders of Bigeard.
Practical information: Military camp in Caylus. Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free access, without reservation. Duration of the visit between 2 and 4 hours depending on the number of sites chosen.
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