No pun intended, discovering the village of Penne in the Tarn is really worth it! This characterful village is part of the Grands Sites d'Occitanie (fr). It is an obligatory stop for anyone who loves stones, cobbled streets and castles.

The village seems not to suffer the pangs of time nor of the modernity that invades our daily lives. Here, the charming alleys are like frozen in time. Penne happens to be an authentic and poetic place of life where it is good to walk and stroll, with ease. As soon as you enter the village, you will feel transported to another world, even another era...


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Penne, the unchanged picturesque village

Unsurprisingly, it is a typically medieval architecture that adorns the heart of the village. There are still several half-timbered houses. And this alliance of blond stone and wood brings warmth and proximity to all the houses.


Medieval half-timbered houses  Medieval half-timbered houses

Some examples of medieval half-timbered houses

blonde stone

Architectural harmony thanks to blond stone


Between the 1900s and today, you will notice with amazement and enthusiasm that the heart of the village has hardly changed. How to know? Well, all you have to do is look at the black and white photographs, scattered here and there, in the different quarters of the village. These show you the village as it was at the beginning of the 20th century. You can then have fun playing the game of 7 mistakes by wondering about what has changed between 1900 and today. What is certain is that the medieval architecture has been well preserved. It is even very well valued and offers residents and visitors alike a harmonious and delicate built ensemble.


Exhibition of photographs

Exhibition of photographs taken in the 1900s

Exhibition of photographs  Exhibition of photographs

Work on your sense of observation

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The good idea Go for a walk on the historic circuit of Castelnau-de-Monmiral, not far away. Read our article to prepare your ride!


Penne and poetry

Sweetness and lightness of life will punctuate your walk. And if you have the eye, you can read some messages left by the inhabitants themselves, intended for visitors. They are addressed directly to you, to catch your eye, whet your curiosity and quench your thirst for knowledge about this pretty village.


A few posts  A few posts

Words, emotions, anecdotes about the life of pennols


In addition to the anecdotes, poems and other short stories that give the medieval city this unique character, the enhancement of the picturesque facades also gives a bucolic and poetic charm to the place.


pretty houses  pretty houses
pretty houses  pretty houses

Pretty houses that transport you to another era


And what about the view of the Grésigne forest and the Aveyron gorges? It is simply breathtaking! Such an environment is an additional charm asset.


The forest of Grésigne

THE forest of Grésigne, a veritable green lung


The good idea Read our article on the perched villages of the Tarn, because Penne is not the only one there are 7 others.


The Eagle's Nest

Like a stone setting gilded by the sun, the village offers you its most precious and dazzling jewel: the medieval fortress of Penne. Overlooking the Aveyron River, and visible for several kilometers around, this incredible castle is perched on its rocky outcrop. While you will see it from afar, it will undoubtedly seem fragile, almost frail, and ready to fall at the slightest gust of wind. And yet, when when you approach it, you will see that the building is indeed present. It is even massive and very imposing, and above all, firmly anchored on its promontory.


The castle
The castle  The castle

The castle, a true medieval fortress


Did you know ? Louis XIII authorized the inhabitants of Penne to use the stones of the castle to rebuild their own houses.


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Thus ends the discovery of the village of Penne. We hope to have transported you to this place with such a special atmosphere, steeped in history, charm and, of course, poetry!

If you like medieval villages, don't hesitate to take the Circuit des bastides albigeoises to discover other unmissable sites such as Bruniquel, Puycelsi or Castelnau-de-Montmiral. Again, you will be transported to places of incredible historical and heritage richness.


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Article and photos prepared by Charline Prod'Homme for the Guide du Tarn Aveyron.


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