The entire wine-growing region takes its name from the village of Gaillac. The town developed around its abbey, Saint Michel, a monastery that was donated to the Benedictine monks by the Bishop of Albi in the 10th century. From here, the city was born and the activity linked to the production of wine and the famous "pastel" blue grew, the colour that characterizes many buildings in the Occitania region, starting from Toulouse, its capital. The old town is beautiful, with its half-timbered houses, many of which are classified as historic monuments, its squares and open-air markets. Today, Gaillac owes its fame to its vineyard, characterised by three terroirs (terraces, hills, plateau), a historic vine variety and a controlled appellation. Lastly, Gaillac's emblem is the rooster, which can be seen on various gables or capitals of old houses.
