Heritage
of Aveyron
Rich in architectural heritage
Criss-crossing the Aveyron, you will appreciate the numerous religious buildings such as the Abbey-church in Conques or Sylvanès Abbey, the Saint-Sauveur Charterhouse in Villefranche-de-Rouergue or Rodez cathedral and the multitude of small chapels and churches that you come across isolated in the countryside or in a small picturesque village.
Numerous villages have remained authentic and lovers of old stone buildings will be delighted as they stroll around. From the most famous such as Najac or Belcastel to the less well known such as Peyre, each carried the mark of life in the Aveyron through the centuries.
where to start ?
You don’t know where to start? The Plus Beaux Villages de France (most beautiful villages in France) in the Aveyron are the obvious choice!
With 10 villages, the Aveyron is the département with the largest number of listed villages in France. By visiting them, you will discover the architectural heritage of the Aveyron in all its diversity: the Knights Templar sites in the south with La Couvertoirade, the Bastides of the Rouergue in the west with Najac and of course Conques and its Abbey-church classed as world heritage by Unesco in the setting of the Chemins de St Jacques de Compostelle.
The châteaux, mor than just a visit
In the château de Belcastel, you will find several art galleries including the exhibition of rare works by American illustrators. At the château du Colombier, the lions from the mediaeval animal park await you. At the château de Calmont d’Olt, children become knights and experts in mediaeval culture will demonstrate Middle Age war machines.
These are just a few examples of the extreme diversity of these châteaux that all offer an experience that goes well beyond a simple visit.
plung into the past
’The Aveyron has been occupied by man since prehistoric times. Over the centuries, he has left his mark: from statues-menhirs (the Aveyron is the richest département in France for the number of megaliths), to the Bastides, Middle-Age new towns and the abbeys or the Knights Templar and Hospitaler sites marking the arrival of military orders.
We take you across the Aveyron, you will be overwhelmed by the past.
