Introduction
Situated on a curve of the River Tarn, centred around its north bank, Gaillac dates back to the 7th century, when an abbey was founded there by Benedictine monks. It prospered for many years as a trading point for river traffic. It prospered for many years as a trading point for river traffic, particularly for transporting the wine produced in the area.
Gaillac’s main landmarks are the Abbaye Saint-Michel, whose origins are 10th century although added to in later centuries, and the 17th century Château de Foucaud set in beautiful terraced gardens by the French landscape gardener André Le Nôtre, who also designed the gardens at the Palace of Versailles.