Begin your tour by learning about the historical significance of Albi and Cordes-sur-Ciel. Discover how these towns were once part of the County of Toulouse, a region that developed a strong cultural and political identity during the Middle Ages. Hear about the Albigensian Crusade in the early 13th century, a major military and religious conflict aimed at eliminating Catharism, a Christian movement considered heretical. Learn how this event led to the region being reintegrated into the authority of the French kingdom and brought firmly under the control of the Catholic Church. Visit Albi, a major episcopal centre organised around the bishop, who held religious, political, and economic power. See the monumental buildings such as the cathedral and the episcopal palace, which are part of a coherent system of control and organisation of the city.