the main exchange and transport routes. Castres is still not connected to the motorway (freeway) network of France, the only town of that size in France not yet connected. The creation of the Greater Castres-Mazamet Council in 2000 was expected to deal with the transport problem, and to work on attracting new industries. The good fortune of Castres is to be located only away from the very dynamic Toulouse. The long-promised motorway link with Toulouse is due to be completed soon, and Castres hopes to benefit from its proximity with the big Occitan city. Economy The principal industries are mechanical and electrical engineering, machine tools, wooden furniture, granite, textile, fur and leather-dressing, tanning, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and selective breeding of cows. Traditional and polluting industries such as textile, tanning, fur and leather-dressing, or chemicals, are in sharp decline. However, a multinational pharmaceutical group (Pierre Fabre Group) emerged in the town in the 1960s, and it has kept its headquarters and R&D division in the metropolitan area, helping to counterbalance the general decline in industry. Some now accuse its founder and president, Pierre Fabre, of being the real "master" of Castres, making and designating Castres' mayors at will. Transport The Gare de Castres railway station is served by regional trains to Mazamet and Toulouse. People Castres is the hometown of socialist politician and newspaper publisher Jean Jaurès (1859–1914), who was murdered in Paris the day before the start of the First World War. Mathematician Pierre de Fermat died in Castres in 1665, while attending a session of the Chambre de l'Édit there. French writer Roger Peyrefitte was born into a wealthy family of Castres in 1907. Former French footballer Claude Puel was also born in Castres. Other people born in the city include: Guilhabert de Castres - Cathar bishop Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult - Politician and marshal during the Napoleonic wars André Dacier - Scholar John Ligonier, 1st Earl Ligonier - British general Paul de Rapin - Historian Roger Peyrefitte - Diplomat and author Claude Puel - Football player and manager Charles Blanc - Art critic Yannick Jauzion - Rugby union player Clément Poitrenaud - Rugby union player Pierre Camara - Athlete Pierre-Paul Sirven - philosopher Maryline Salvetat -cyclist. Guillaume Borne - footballer Maurice Gabolde - Minister of Justice in the Vichy regime of Philippe Petain Lore Baudrit - ice hockey player Residents of Castres include: Paul Pellisson - Author Anne