How a few street journey to see Aveyron’s most lovely villages—all 11 of them? I’ve written about this very picturesque division in southern France quite a few instances, masking its meals, the allure of “France Profond,” and the well-known Roquefort cheese caves. However what really makes Aveyron my favorite is its villages.
Whereas France is dwelling to hundreds of villages, Aveyron stands out with the best variety of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France—11 in whole. (The Lot division follows with 10.) Now that I’ve visited all 11, I’m happy to share an itinerary I believe you’ll take pleasure in.
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1. Aveyron’s Most Stunning Villages: 3 Superb Bases
I like to recommend three cities as your bases for exploring Aveyron. The division is without doubt one of the largest in France (8,735 sq. kilometers), so one base gained’t cowl every part. You may favor to remain in 1 or 2 cities and return to discover the remainder later.
These cities provide sufficient eating places, grocery shops, and sights to make them attention-grabbing, and every day excursions are simply manageable. Whereas there are trains within the area, they don’t at all times attain these villages, that are significantly small, with not more than 2,000 inhabitants to qualify as Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. A automotive is critical.
The cities I like to recommend are:
2. What Is The Aveyron Division Like?
Aveyron, positioned within the Occitanie area of southern France, is without doubt one of the largest departments (sixth) but additionally among the many least densely populated, rating 78th out of 101. A lot of the realm is farmland, so crowds are uncommon—even in cities like Rodez and Millau.
As I’ve talked about in earlier posts, Aveyron feels really “French,” with fewer English audio system, making it an immersive expertise for these wanting to check their French expertise. Learn extra about why Aveyron is taken into account the center of France in my put up: “My Return To Aveyron-La France Profonde: Why You Ought to Go to”.
The area is famend for its cheese and beef, particularly Aligot and Aubrac beef. I’ve written about these specialties in my posts:
You can even discover a full record of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France I’ve visited in my put up: “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”. For extra particulars on the 11 villages in Aveyron, go to the Occitanie Villages part: “Occitanie Villages“.
Right here’s a map with the three bases and areas of the 11 villages. Click on on the map or on this hyperlink and also you’ll be directed to a Google Map indicating all of the locations on this put up.
3. Excursions To Stunning Villages From Rodez
(a) Base: Rodez
Whereas Rodez shouldn’t be on the record of designated lovely villages, it’s the Aveyron’s largest metropolis with a small inhabitants of simply over 24,000. It was good as a base due to the grocery shops, quite a few eating places, museums, and vital websites.
Websites
Within the coronary heart of Rodez, the Thirteenth-century Notre Dame Cathedral stands out with its pink sandstone facade and an 87-meter-high Gothic and Renaissance tower that dominates the town skyline..
In the event you like modern, trendy artwork, don’t miss seeing Pierre Soulages’ work at Musee Soulages. He’s additionally answerable for creating the stained glass on the Abbey in Conques.
Musée Fenaille can be price a go to. It homes one in every of Europe’s most outstanding collections of prehistoric menhirs, carved human-like standing stones from 3000-2000 BC.
Eating
By way of eating, you may contemplate having lunch at Café Bras proper beside the Soulages Museum. It’s run by cooks Michel and Sébastien Bras who even have a multi-starred Michelin restaurant in close by Laguiole. I additionally actually loved my meals at La Gargouille, positioned proper beside the Cathedral. Extra concerning the eating places and meals will be discovered right here: La Gargouille and Café Bras.
(b) Excursions From Rodez
Conques
Try my put up about this gorgeous village (and the stained glass that I wasn’t as thrilled about). Conques: Beautiful Village, Abbey, Controversial Home windows.
Situated 40 minutes (38 kilometres) northwest of Rodez.
Belcastel
Belcastel is straight out of an image postcard and actually needs to be close to the highest of your record. The stone village has cobblestone streets, a medieval stone bridge, and Château de Belcastel, perched above the city and the Aveyron River.
Situated 25 minutes (25 kilometres) west of Rodez.
Sauveterre-de-Rouergue
It’s in the principle sq. the place particular occasions are held, together with a market the place native crafts are offered. The buildings date again to the 1200s and the village nonetheless retains the allure from the medieval interval.
Situated half-hour (34 kilometres) southwest of Rodez.
Najac
As you strategy Najac,you’ll see thatthe Forteresse Royale de Najac (Château de Najac) is sort of an imposing presence from up excessive. It was constructed within the 1100s and has magnificent views of the city and surrounding valley.
Situated 71 kilometres (1 hour) west of Rodez.
Villeneuve d’Aveyron
Whereas the principle attraction of this village is the museum that homes the work of music photographer Jean-Marie Périer, the village has stays from its medieval interval and a powerful church with stained glass home windows.
Situated 45 minutes (52 kilometres) west of Rodez.
(c) The place To Keep In Rodez
I rented an Airbnb and there was parking on the road. I walked into the centre of city in about quarter-hour and felt very protected within the space. If I have been to remain in Rodez once more, I’d contemplate staying within the coronary heart of the town (particularly if I didn’t have a automotive and didn’t require parking). Listed here are some lodging suggestions:
Accommodations in Rodez to contemplate (all positioned close to the cathedral):
4. Excursions To Stunning Villages From Millau
(a) Base: Millau
Millau was once a very fashionable stopping level for these travelling from the north to south of France. It was so busy that there have been visitors jams. This all modified in 2004 when the Millau Viaduct was constructed and have become a part of the A75 Autoroute between Paris and Montpellier and Béziers. It crosses the Tarn Valley and is the best bridge in Europe.
I believe the bridge is an architectural masterpiece and completely gorgeous. Understand that you aren’t capable of get out of your automotive to take photos. The one means I may do that was run La Course Effiage du Viaduc de Millau. Excursions can be found from the customer centre beside the bridge.
One place I’d advocate for lunch or dinner is at Côté Marché. If the climate is nice, eat on the terrace. I had a wonderful chevre salad (cassolette de Cabecou de Causse goat cheese) and sea bream fish.
(b) Excursions From Millau
Peyre
The most effective spots to get nice images of the Millau Viaduct is from Peyre. It is a tranquil little village that has a cave church, Eglise Troglodyte Saint-Cristofol, constructed into the rock.
Situated 11 minutes (8 kilometres) west of Millau [and the drive there is beautiful!]
Brousse-le-Château
Though Brousse-le-Château is a sleepy little city, it does have an attention-grabbing château (Château de Brousse) that gives pretty views of the Tarn Valley and it’s price visiting. [Note: be careful walking around the château as the cobblestone paths are uneven.]
There appears to be just one resort/restaurant, Logis Hôtel le Relays du Chasteau and that is the place I used to be fortunate sufficient to eat lunch (it was superb). In the event you resolve to go to this village and are pondering of getting a meal, make a reservation.
Situated 1 hour (58 kilometres) southwest of Millau.
La Couvertoirade
Strolling by means of the fortified city of La Couvertoirade is like strolling again in time. It’s a medieval fortress with two towers, ramparts and the one Templar citadel in France. However you’ll additionally discover retailers and cafés scattered all through the village. Don’t miss happening the excessive hill simply exterior of the city to get a greater perspective of this lovely walled-in village.
Situated 40 minutes (44 kilometres) southeast of Millau.
(c) The place To Keep In Millau
As I used to be attending a operating race throughout the Millau Viaduct, I needed to be close to one of many choose up factors. The resort was completely tremendous, low cost, and close to a grocery retailer and in the event you simply wish to use it as a base to do excursions, it’s good, however you’ll wish to drive into Millau to discover the town. The centre is just too far to stroll. The opposite inns I’m suggesting are ones that have been on my record; nevertheless, they have been absolutely booked after I tried to order a room.
Accommodations In Millau To Contemplate:
5. Excursions To Stunning Villages From Espalion
(a) Base: Espalion
I actually favored staying in Espalion and located it to be the right measurement for strolling round city (not too large) and for the views alongside the Lot River (distinctive). You may’t miss the Thirteenth century Le Pont-Vieux, a pedestrian-only bridge that’s the oldest monument within the metropolis. It’s not solely a Nationwide Monument, but additionally a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
There may be additionally a weekly market that coated a pretty big space and I picked up some nice native meals right here. Dinner was at Maison Burgarella, positioned within the centre of city. It’s one of many suggestions within the Michelin Bib Gourmand information. The dishes have been artistic, very tasty, and so they used native elements. I had the plat/entrée menu and glass of wine for 35 €.
(b) Excursions From Espalion
Estaing
If the identify “Estaing” rings a bell, it could be since you’re pondering of Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, who was the President of the French Republic from 1974-1981. He was a member of a French household that was lively in politics and finance. Though he isn’t associated to the extinct aristocratic household, d’Estaing, he and his household purchased the Château d’Estaing in 2005.
Inside the citadel there are some rooms dedicated to his political profession and achievements. But it surely’s the views of the village which are breathtaking.
Situated 10 minutes (10 kilometres) northwest of Esaplion
Saint-Côme-d’Olt
Saint-Côme-d’Olt within the Lot Valley has preserved the medieval options of this fortified village together with the ramparts and gates and a couple of towers from the 14th century. It has a fifteenth century gothic church, Église Saint-Côme-et-Saint-Damien, with a uncommon flamed bell tower (twisted spire) and Château de Castelnau. As Saint-Côme-d’Olt is on the GR® 65, the street to Santiago de Compostela, the village has additionally created a relaxation centre.
I discovered this village to be fairly lovely and also you’ll come across some attention-grabbing sties, such because the Chapelle des pénitents (Chapel of the Penitents) which was initially a hospice for pilgrims. On show is a mannequin of the twisted bell tower in addition to details about the brotherhood and the Romanesque church.
Situated 5 minutes (5 kilometres) east of Espalion
Saint-Eulalie-d’Olt
Whereas I visited on a wet day, I used to be impressed nonetheless by how lovely Saint-Eulalie-d’Olt was. Maybe it’s as a result of it is called a village that promotes the humanities. Whereas it was fairly quiet, you might inform the city had put a lot effort into making it very picturesque.
As you wander round city, you’ll cross by many stone and half-timbered buildings, stays of the previous mill, posters celebrating the village’s historical past, in addition to Château de Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt.
Situated 29 minutes (24 kilometres) southeast of Espalion
(c) The place To Keep In Espalion
I rented an Airbnb that confronted the park and river and I had free parking proper in entrance. It was solely a ten minute stroll into city. On this city you’ll discover extra chambres d’hotes
(Mattress and Breakfasts) or house leases reasonably than inns.
Accommodations And B&Bs In Espalion To Contemplate:
6. Different Posts About Aveyron
Have you ever visited any of Aveyron’s 11 most lovely villages? Please share your impressions.
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