Mazamet is a paradox. Located on the North side of the Montagne Noire mountains; enclosed in sheer relief; razed at different times during religious wars, this town which, was normally so unassuming, experienced an exceptional industrial revolution in the middle of the 19th century. It became known far outside its national borders as far away as South Africa, Australia and China.

It started as a small fortified village called Hautpoul, founded by the Visigoths in the 5th century and martyrised by Simon de Montfort in 1212. Gradually Mazamet freed itself from its medieval shackles and settled permanently in the valley of the Arnette river in around the 16th century. Inspired by the ideas of the Reformation, the town developed a flourishing textile industry of great quality. But it was around 1850 that Mazamet sealed her fate when an industrial businessman called Pierre-Elie HOULES imported sheep skins from Argentina and perfected an extremely simple technique of separating the lamb’s wool from the skin. For the next 100 years, an economic and financial miracle overtook Mazamet. Nevertheless this technique called “Délainage” was only the hidden side of an enormous iceberg that turned Mazamet into a pioneer in international business. The town transformed into a hive of activity where people called 'saquetous' - because they had samples in small bags, bags meaning 'sac ' in French. - brokers , businessmen and workers kept themselves busy nearly day and night, and where the branches of the trees turned white with wool taken from 'bourras'.

Come and relive the Industrial Era by making the two historical journeys of “Mazamet, au fil de la laine” These are on display in the centre of the town and show how Mazamet positioned itself to support its industrial growth. This is how you will come across luxurious private mansions, strongly inspired by Parisian architecture then “a la mode”, next to with huge wool stores, factories or offices. You will also discover splendid residences from the 30’s, adorning themselves with colours and shapes from the Argentinian and Uruguayan “estancias”.
A significant example of the 19th century middle-class house is la Maison FUZIER, or Maison des Mémoires, which reveals the ambivalence of an architecture strongly affected by religious considerations. Its façade is sensible and strict and contrasts with the spacious, refined and comfortable rooms where the Tourist Office, Exhibition Rooms and the Musée de la Mémoire du Catharisme Occitan all co-habit.

Discover the local craft industry thanks to the Maison du Bois et du Jouet. This museum, located in one of the bends of the river at the foot of Hautpoul’s village, brings together more than 1200 wooden toys and games from around the world. The Maison du Bois et du Jouet also presents a cross-section of the Montagne Noire’s animals, flora, ancient crafts and waterways   ... The wood craftsmen live near to or on the site of Hautpoul, which they bring to life with their products and “savoir faire”.

Leave Mazamet in the footsteps of Catharism by discovering the permanent exhibition “Catharisme Occitan, la mémoire retrouvée” on the second floor of the Maison des Memoires, something you will not see anywhere else in Languedoc or even in France; then go up to Hautpoul which, brings together the valleys of Arnette and Thoré, thanks to its privileged strategic position, perched on a rocky spur for more than a millennium.
This old fortified town, founded in the 10th century by Pierre Raymond (vassal of Albi’s viscounts) on an even older base, offers an impressive architectural range. In addition to the ancestral terraces recently re-cultivated, the site brings together two castles, the remains of a chapel and ramparts, the former gates into the town, some beautiful walls in fish bone style, precipitous alleys and quaint mountain houses...

Finally, recharge your batteries with fresh air and enjoy outdoor activities in an outstanding environment (Montagne Noire, Plateau des Lacs, Parc Naturel Régional du Haut Languedoc).

You  can start by hiking: on foot, on horseback, on a bike or on a donkey, on different pathways including the GR7 and 36 which are accessible from the city centre (old Roman path); on hiking circuits around Hautpoul, starting from Aussillon village or from the Gorges de l’Arn, on the special interest departmental pathway of Roquerlan, not to mention the 120km of special mountain bike paths starting from the Lac des Montagnès, that all invite you to a gentle discovery (between family or friends) of the landscapes, the fauna, the heritage, the local history, the outstanding views or even of the population.

You can also enjoy the nautical pleasures at the Lac des Montagnès, a refreshing destination with its sandy beaches, areas for supervised swimming, fishing and picnicking, mini golf, games for children and paths for strolling around the lake.