Mazamet


Mazamet is a commune in the Tarn department in southern France.
It is the second-largest component of the Castres-Mazamet metropolitan area.

Geography

Mazamet is situated on the northern slope of the Montagne Noire and on the Arnette, a small tributary of the Thoré, which forms the commune's northern border.

Economy

The town made its wealth during the 18th & 19th century when it was the world centre of the wool industry. At its height, the town imported more than 100,000 tonnes of wool annual from the Southern Hemisphere. After processing, numerous establishments were involved in wool-spinning and in the manufacture of leather goods, gloves, blankets, hosiery and clothing for troops. While the vast majority of Mazamet's wool industry ended in the early 1990s, the town still has a residual high-end leather industry with leather being purchased by a number of Paris & London fashion houses.
Today, is becoming known for tourism, thanks to its stunning natural setting at the foothills of the Montagne Noire mountain range and being just 45 mins from the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Albi, Carcassonne and the Canal du midi. A paradise for walking and cycling has made the town popular with outdoor enthusiasts thanks to the development of a 65 km cycle path and numerous cycling & walking routes produced by the regional tourism offices.
A further boost to tourism has been the development of the nearby Lac de Montagnes for outdoor leisure activities and the medieval village of Hautpoul's recent edition of the Passerelle has been used by over 100,000 visitors in the first 12 months.

Personalities

Mazamet was the start for Stage 14 in the 2007 Tour de France, finishing on the top of Plateau de Beille. The stage was won by Alberto Contador, who later went on to win the Tour. In 2018, Mazamet welcomed the race once again as it passed through on route to Carcassonne.

Twin towns

Mazamet is twinned with: