PLACES TO VISIT

 

This is a very brief list of some of the places to visit.

 

Place

 

Distance

Chapelle de St Clair de Verdun  An 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.

8 km

 

 

Sauveterre de Rouergue  A 13th century fortified village (Bastide). One of the best examples in the area. Well worth a visit

12 km

 

 

Gramond  A small village with an interesting church

7 km

 

 

Boussac  A small village with a fortified church

12 km

 

 

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 the are well worth attending

8 km

 

 

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 your are English, and they will give you an English guide folder, written by our good friend Bernard Redshaw!

12 km

 

 

Chateau de Taurines  A 15th century chateau in the process of restoration

7 km

 

 

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!

1 km

 

 

Rodez  The main city and Préféture of the Aveyron. Has a fine cathedral and an interesting 'old town' area. A large hypermarket (Géant) on the outskirts. Good shopping facilities

35 km

 

 

Salles de la Source  An interesting village with a high waterfall and an agricultural museum which is being improved each year

35 km

 

 

Marcillac  Aveyron's only main vineyard area. It gained its appellation controlé in 1989. Good wines are available at the Co-op in Valady

50 km

 

 

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 Unfortunately the beautiful original stained glass windows have been replaced by rather ugly modern ones

60 km

 

 

Bozouls  A small village with a remarkable crater like hole nearby (Le Trou de Bozouls) Frequently there are happenings staged there

55 km

 

 

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

25 km

 

 

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

25 km

 

 

Villefranche de Rouergue  A large town formerly a mediaeval bastide. Many interesting buildings and churches

50 km

 

 

Villeneuve  A large mediaeval village with les Grottes de Foissac nearby

65 km

 

 

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. There are two restaurants, Le Vieux Pont (the one nearest the bridge) which is quite expensive, and the one just before it, Restaurant Couderc, which is good value for money. It is advisable to book. The phone number is 05 65 64 52 26. The turn-off to Belcastel on the right about 12 km (8 miles) from Baraqueville on the road to Rieupeyroux.

40 km

 

 

Carmaux  A large town en route to Albi. An early 19th century coal mining town. There is a large market there every Friday morning which is well worth a visit. At near by cap decouverte is a mining museum and a large activity park with a lake, zip line, dry ski slope and many other activities. This is a fantastic day for the family.

20 km

 

 

Albi  The main city and Préféture of the Tarn. Birth place 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

35 km

 

 

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 museum is well worth a visit

40 km

 

 

Lac de Paraloup  A large hydro-electric lake. Good facilities for picnicking, 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

55 km

 

 

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 run 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!

 

These places and the Viaduc de Millau can be covered in a round trip over a shortish day. Take the road through La Primaube to Millau and continue towards Montpellier to La Couvertoirade. You can call in at Roquefort on the way back, but remember everything closes between 12.00 and 14.00 for lunch! Approximate timings are: Le Clot - Millau, 1 hour. Millau - La Couvertoirade, 45 minutes. La Couvertoirade - Roquefort, 35 minutes. Roquefort - Millau - Le Clot, 1 hour, 15 minutes.

 

 

90 km