Sample menu:
PLACES TO VISIT
This is a very brief list of some places to visit within an easy distance from us:
Chapelle de St Clair de Verdun
11th century chapel in the remains of a small mediaeval fortified complex. The key is available from M. Gibelin at Lacombe near Quins, phone no 05 65 69 03 05. Ask him for an English guide sheet.
Sauveterre de Rouergue
A 13th century fortified village (Bastide). One of the best examples in the area. Well worth a visit
Naucelle
A larger village with a post office, bank and shopping facilities. Market day the last Wednesday of each month. A restored Cistercian church and the remains of a fortified wall, built to keep out the English during the 100 Years' War! The church has a really fine organ. There are frequent concerts that are well worth attending
Chateau du Bosc
A country seat of the parents of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. Contains many items of interest of Toulouse-Lautrec's childhood as well as giving an insight of how the French aristocracy lived in the 19th century. Let them know you are English, and they will give you an English guide folder, written by our good friend Bernard Redshaw!
Chateau de Taurines
A 15th century chateau.
Viaduc du Viaur
A 19th century railway bridge near Tanus built by Bodin, a student of Eiffel. Not far away is a rather impressive road viaduct completed in 2001 – in about 18 months!
Rodez
The main city and Préfecture of the Aveyron. Has a fine cathedral and an interesting 'old town' area. A large hypermarket (Géant) on the outskirts. Good shopping facilities
Salles de la Source
An interesting village with a high waterfall and an agricultural museum.
Marcillac
Aveyron's only main vineyard area. It gained its appellation controlée in 1989. Good wines are available at the Co-op in Valady
Conques
A mediaeval cité, established as a pilgrim station on one of the many routes to St Jacques de Compostella. A fine cathedral in red volcanic rock. Unfortunately the beautiful original stained glass windows have been replaced by rather ugly modern ones
Bozouls
Bozouls is a small village between Rodez and Espalion with a remarkable 300m deep crater like hole nearby (Le Trou de Bozouls) which has been hollowed out by the Dourdou river. It is excellent for sight seeing, walking and horse riding. There is even a 'Petit Train' that will take you down into the crater and back!Well worth a trip.
Pradinas
An animal park and agricultural museum, both worth a visit. You get a guided tour at the museum, so you may have to wait if there is a tour in progress when you arrive.
Najac
A medium sized village with the ruins of a spectacular chateau on top of a high hill. A good place to visit around lunch time. Some good restaurants.
Villefranche de Rouergue
A large mediaeval bastide town. Many interesting buildings and churches and excellent market held every Thursday morning.
Villeneuve
A large mediaeval village with les Grottes de Foissac nearby.
Belcastel
A small mediaeval village on the Aveyron River dominated by an imposing restored chateau. The whole village has been tastefully restored. Good restaurants and pleasant picnicking facilities by the river. Turn left at the Baraqueville roundabout and head towards Rieupeyroux. The turn-off to Belcastel is on the right about 12 km (8 miles) from Baraqueville on the road to Rieupeyroux.
Carmaux
A large town en route to Albi. An important 19th century coal mining and glass making town. There is an interesting mining museum at Blaye les Mines which is also a local leasure facility(see Cap' Découverte ). In Carmaux itself there is a a very interesting glass museum which offers courses in glass making.
Albi
The main city and Préfeture of the Tarn. Birthplace of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. A really magnificent 14th century cathedral, one of the best in the region. The fortified former bishop's palace is now a museum holding the largest collection of Toulouse-Lautrec's works in the world. An interesting and well restored 'old town' area. In 2010 Albi was made a UNESCO world heritage site.
Cordes Sur Ciel
A spectacular fortified mediaeval town built on a high hill overlooking a large plain not far from Albi. Many interesting buildings. The sugar museum is well worth a visit. The town is home to many artists of various kinds and all sorts of artifacts can be bought. The town hosts a mediaeval festival every 14 of July (Bastile Day) and well worth a visit, if you dress in mediaeval costume you get in free!
Lac de Paraloup
A large man-made lake for the production of hydro-electric power. Good facilities for picnics, fishing and all water sports. There is also the smaller lake nearby at Pont-de-Salars. This latter has safe bathing beaches for small children.
Aubrac and Laguiole
Two adjacent mountain villages both producing good cheeses. The former is famous for the cheese and potato dish Aligot and the latter for its artisan produced pocket knives.
Le Viaduc de Millau
This is a remarkable engineering feat, designed by Sir Norman Foster and constructed in 2003/04 by Le Société Eiffel, the same company that built the Eiffel Tower in Paris in the 19th century. Some 2.4 kms long and 342 metres high (at its highest point), this 7-pylon bridge takes the autoroute A75 across the Tarn valley. Drive into Millau and take the road to Albi. There are two viewing areas, one about 2 kms from Millau, and the other at the viaduct itself. The first one is up a very narrow road with only a few passing places. The second one has a well-organised visitors’ centre.
La Couvertoirade and Roquefort
The former is an ancient fortified mediaeval town established as a pilgrim stop for those travelling to the Crusades. It was first set up by the Knights Hospitaler and later taken over by the Knights Templar. Roquefort is where the famous cheese is made. One of the two major producers here runs a guided tour of their establishment, which comprises a number of vast cellars, excavated 13 floors below ground. It is well worth a visit. Take a sweater with you, even if it’s summer. It gets very cold below ground!