Tarn (department)

Tarn (department)
Department	Tarn
Number	81
Region	Occitania
Prefecture	Albi
Subprefectures	Castres
President	Christophe Ramond
President party	PS
Area km2	5758
Population	389,844
Population date	2021
Cantons	23
Communes	314

Tarn (department). Tarn is a department in the Occitania region of southern France, named after the Tarn River that flows through it. Its prefecture is the historic city of Albi, with Castres serving as a subprefecture. The department is characterized by a landscape that transitions from the fertile plains of the Toulouse basin to the foothills of the Montagne Noire and the Sidobre granite plateau.

Geography

The department's topography is defined by the valley of the Tarn River, which cuts from east to west, joined by tributaries like the Agout and the Dadou. To the south, the terrain rises into the Montagne Noire, part of the southern Massif Central, and the unique rocky landscapes of the Sidobre. To the north lies the Rouergue plateau, while the western areas form part of the Lauragais plain. Notable natural sites include the Gorges du Tarn on its northeastern border and the Lac de la Raviège reservoir.

History

The area corresponds largely to the ancient Albigeois territory of the Languedoc. It was a major center of Catharism in the 12th and 13th centuries, leading to the Albigensian Crusade called by Pope Innocent III and the subsequent establishment of the Episcopal City and fortified cathedral in Albi by the Roman Catholic Church. Following the French Revolution, Tarn was created in 1790 from parts of the former province of Languedoc. The 19th century saw industrialization, particularly in Castres and Mazamet, based on textiles and leather.

Administration

The department is divided into two arrondissements: Albi and Castres. It is part of the Occitania region and the second constituency of Tarn for legislative elections. Key administrative figures have included senators like Philippe Bonnecarrère and former prefects. Local governance is managed by the Departmental Council of Tarn, currently presided by Christophe Ramond of the Socialist Party.

Demographics

The population is concentrated in the urban areas of Albi and Castres, with other significant towns including Gaillac, Lavaur, and Mazamet. Historically, the region experienced significant emigration during the 19th-century phylloxera crisis that devastated the Gaillac vineyards. In recent decades, the department has seen modest growth, attracting new residents to areas like the Albigeois, while some rural cantons face gradual depopulation.

Economy

Traditionally agricultural, the economy features renowned Gaillac wines, Roquefort dairy farming, and poultry from the Lauragais. While the historical textile and leather industries in Castres and Mazamet have declined, aerospace components manufacturing linked to Airbus in Toulouse is significant. The Sidobre is a major European center for granite extraction. Tourism is growing, focused on the Episcopal City of Albi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Gorges du Tarn, and outdoor activities in the Montagne Noire.

Culture and heritage

The department is rich in historical sites, most prominently the Sainte-Cécile Cathedral and the Berbie Palace in Albi, housing the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. The Castres Goya Museum holds a notable collection of Spanish painting. Annual festivals include the Pause Guitare festival in Albi and the Gaillac wine festivals. The region is part of the Occitan cultural sphere, with influences evident in its bastide towns like Cordes-sur-Ciel and Lisle-sur-Tarn.

Category:Departments of Occitania (administrative region) Category:1790 establishments in France