Graulhet, commune in Tarn, France
Graulhet is a town in the Tarn department of southern France, set along the Dadou river, a tributary of the Agout. The center is made up of narrow lanes with timber-frame houses, an old stone bridge, and a row of brick buildings that once served as tanneries along the riverbank.
Graulhet likely began as a fortified settlement around the 10th century and grew over time into a center for leather production. By the 19th and early 20th century it was known worldwide for a type of sheep leather used in shoe linings, before the industry declined sharply after 1929.
The old tannery buildings along the Dadou river have been turned into artist studios, and some local craftspeople still work with leather today. Walking through this part of town gives a clear sense of how deeply the craft shaped the way the place was built and used.
The town is easiest to reach by car, and parking is available near the center along with electric vehicle charging points. The local tourist office is a good starting point for planning a visit, as staff can suggest nearby places to explore and help find accommodation.
A 17th-century nobleman from Graulhet was a close friend of the playwright Molière, which ties the town to French theatrical history in a way that few visitors expect. This connection is rarely mentioned but makes the town part of a much larger story about French culture in that era.
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