Lavaur, Administrative commune in Tarn, France
Lavaur is an administrative commune in the Tarn department of southern France, situated along the Agout River in the Occitanie region. The town occupies a location in gentle hillside terrain with buildings arranged around a historic core that has evolved into a modern residential center.
The town reached a turning point in 1211 when crusading forces under Simon de Montfort captured it and altered regional control. This conquest brought major changes to local governance and settlement patterns.
The Cathedral of Saint-Alain stands at the town's center with Gothic architecture that evolved over centuries, and locals use the surrounding square as a gathering place. The houses around the church still follow the layout of the medieval town.
The town is easy to explore on foot since the main buildings and downtown area are close together. The Agout River provides a good landmark and there are walking paths along the banks for getting around.
The name comes from the Gaulish word 'vobero' meaning hidden streams or ravines, which reflects how early inhabitants described the local landscape. This origin shows how the terrain with water and elevation was understood by the people who lived there.
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