Castres

Castres, a town in the French department of Tarn, is situated on both sides of the river Agout, 46 miles (72 by rail) E. of Toulouse. It rose up around a Benedictine abbey, which was founded in 647; and in the 16th century it became a Huguenot stronghold, but its fortifications were demolished in 1629. The present town has beautiful promenades, shaded by fine alleys of trees, a quondam cathedral, and important manufactures of fine wool dyed goods, as also manufactures of leather, paper, soap, &c. Pop. (1872) 18,177; (1891) 22,549.