Aveyron is a department situated in Occitania, a region in the southern part of France, among breathtaking woods and hilly areas. Aveyron is a perfect starting point to discover the beauties of France and offers many things to do and see. We have selected 10 that you can’t miss!
When is the best time to visit Aveyron? The months of June or September are ideal periods to visit Aveyron, since it will not be too cold or too hot.
1. Sainte Enimie
Sainte Enimie is a beautiful medieval hamlet in the Gorges of the Tarn. Here the tourist admires rapids, waterfalls, and overhanging rock faces. You should know that Sainte Enimie can boast the title of “most beautiful village in France”: specifically, it is thanks to the cobbled streets flanked by magnificent stone buildings, without forgetting the Romanesque-style church dedicated to Sant’Eunimio. For nature lovers, I would like to recommend the wildlife reserves in Saint Enimie, where you can see herons and otters.
2. Couvertoirade
Couvertoirade is a village of medieval origin located in the southern part of the Aveyron. This hamlet, built in the XII century, hosted both the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller. Here it is possible to admire, in addition to the classic cobbled streets still well preserved, arches and walls that in the past were part of the defensive complex of the city.
3. The Millau Viaduct
The Millau Viaduct is an imposing feat of engineering that was completed in 2004. It is located in the village of Millau (the exact address is Viaduc de Millau, 12400 Millau, France) and the bridge crosses the Tarn Valley. The viaduct is one of the tallest bridges in the world and it reaches its highest point at 343 meters. It is the work of the British architect Norman Foster and has seven arches of 90 meters each. For more information, visit the website dedicated to this work.
4. Abbey Church of Conques
The Abbey Church of Conques appears to date back to 880 AD. It is an imposing structure made of stone, which is part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. It houses a relic of Saint Foy, “The True Cross” and it is really rich in both artifacts and important sculptures that had great fame in the Middle Ages. The exact address where it is located is Prieuré Ste Foy de Conques, 12320 Conques-En-Rouergue, France.
5. The Palace of the Dukes of Joyeuse in Najac
Located in the Aveyron department of France, the Palace of the Dukes of Joyeuse offers visitors a majestic view over the village of Najac. The palace was built in 1253 and was given to Jean I, Lord of Joyeuse by King Louis IX in 1280. It consists of a single curtain wall that encloses an internal courtyard containing several buildings including two Gothic towers.
Over the centuries, thanks to several renovations, it has become a truly unique combination of a European medieval feudal Castle and a Renaissance Chateau. You can visit it through guided tours.
6. Roquefort Caves
You can find the Roquefort Caves in the Combalou mountain ridge near Roquefort-sur-Soulzon and they are a real wonder. The stalactites and the craggy walls have created a stunning landscape that stretches underground for nearly three miles. Furthermore, they have multiple access points and are the oldest matured cheese cellars in Europe. The Caves can be also referred to as “The Seven Wonders of Aveyron”. A curiosity: in prehistoric times, these caves were a place of worship. The exact address is Av. 2 François Galtier, 12250 Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, France.
7. Rouergue Museum
The Rouergue Museum, located right in the heart of Aveyron, has the purpose to preserve and present local history and culture. Each year there are temporary exhibitions that narrate the history of Aveyron highlighting different aspects. It might be closed, for more information visit the website.
8. St. Jacques Church in Flavin
The St. Jacques Church of Flavin was built sometime between the 11th and 14th centuries. However, it has also gone through several restorations that have kept its façade up to date. The church has two bell towers on either side of the entrance. Inside we can find, among others, an organ from 1730, stained glass windows from 1877, and an imposing marble baptismal font with carvings from the 13th century. On the outside, the richly carved portal and the imposing arches are noteworthy.
9. Marcillac Vineyards
Marcillac Vineyards is a unique vineyard that has been acclaimed for its outstanding terroir, making it one of the best wine-growing regions in the area. It is the only one in the world to grow its own “Mansois” grape, which gives it an earthy and spicy flavor.
10. Gorges du Tarn & Jonte
Gorges du Tarn, the most popular one among the two, has limestone cliffs measuring up to 600 feet in height: they are truly stunning and dare I say, one of a kind! Moreover, in the Gorges du Tarn you can try some canyoning. On the other hand, if you are aiming for a more tranquil experience, I suggest you go on the Jointe River (just outside the valley of the Gorges du Tarn) on a raft or by canoe. These are smaller waterfalls, known as “lavoirs”, and here it is also possible to swim within lush vegetation.
I conclude by stating that Aveyron, in the southern part of France, offers a truly vast, and at the same time rich, range of very interesting attractions for all tastes and which will satisfy even the most demanding people. In fact, one can range from majestic natural landscapes to castles and works of human engineering.
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