Carmaux: Parks, Walking Tour and Glass Art
Accommodation in Carmaux
When looking for a hotel in Carmaux, your interests may help you decide: green spaces and a walk along the CĂ©rou are complemented by the history of glassmaking and several historic sites. As you plan your stay, you can first consider whether parks, a route through the town or its cultural heritage should take priority.
Parks, Walking Tour and Water Activities
The Parc du Candou was created in the 1930s by the Société des Mines de Carmaux. Its nearly three hectares are home to remarkable trees. This park therefore combines a history dating back to the 1930s with a distinctive collection of trees.
The Parc Jean Jaurès (Sérinié) also dates from the 1930s, but was created by the municipal administration. It offers 3.6 hectares of green space to enjoy with the family. In direct comparison, its stated area is larger than the nearly three hectares of the Parc du Candou; the parks also differ in their origins: the municipal administration was responsible for this one, while the Société des Mines de Carmaux created the other.
The Parc du Cérou has a bandstand on the banks of the Cérou. Carmaux’s parks are open year-round from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check the opening hours locally before your trip.
An alternative to visiting a single park is the Parcours santé patrimoine. This 5.3-kilometre walking trail, recognised by the Fédération française de randonnée, follows the greenway along the Cérou. It connects the Parc Jean Jaurès, the Parc du Candou and Carmaux town centre. Along the route, 23 information panels tell the story of the town, including six historic highlights under the title “Sur les pas de Jaurès.”
The 14 fitness stations are separate from these panels: they are spread across the Parc du Candou, the Parc Jean Jaurès and the Stade Jean Vareilles. This means you can consider the panels along the trail and the stations distributed across several locations as distinct parts of the recreational facilities.
Another option is the intermunicipal Centre aquatique l’Odyssée in Carmaux. It has a 25-metre pool, a relaxation area and the outdoor Aquatoon area, with water games for children. Swimming, the relaxation area and water games offer a different focus from the green spaces and the trail. Operating conditions may vary seasonally; check the seasonal conditions before your visit.
Glass Art and the History of Carmaux
Since 1985, the Musée/Centre d’art du Verre has been housed in the former Verrerie Royale building. This connects the museum with a specific historic building associated with glass art. On 21 August 2026, the Musée/Centre d’art du Verre was closed for technical reasons. At that time, the Musée du Verre Nomade was holding events at other locations in connection with the closure and the Domaine de la Verrerie’s new direction. Check which events are currently taking place before your trip.
The name Jaurès appears in Carmaux both on the statue erected in 1923 and among the six historic highlights on the “Sur les pas de Jaurès” trail. Another historic detail is the inscription “La Constitution ou la mort” on the gable of Pierre-Jean-Louis Campsas’s house.
The former Café-Dancing Alaux is another historic site in the town. It was located in an impressive early-20th-century building near Gambetta. Along with the former Verrerie Royale, the statue and the Campsas house, it offers a different perspective on Carmaux from its parks and walking trail.
Discover more destinations: Labastide-DĂ©nat, Teyssode, Damiatte, Prades, Lempaut, Lavaur, Fauch, Montcabrier
For the main travel overview: Tarn.
