Touristic regions of Aveyron

From the volcanic plateau of Aubrac with its horizons extending towards the infinite sky to the vast plateau of Carladez which links Rouergue and Auvergne, a land steeped in authenticity. Below the plateau, the Lot valley traces its picturesque path through beautiful towns and villages.

Situated at the foot of the Causses, the vale of Marcillac symbolises la dolce vita, with its mild climate throughout the year, its houses made of red clay, its fruit trees and its terraces of vines. Conques, a Romanesque jewel, is a major staging post on the road to Santiago de Compostella.

Covering a vast zone in the western part of Aveyron, a mosaic of terroirs. At the heart of this land of contrasts, discover the architectural jewels, such as the bastides of Rouergue, (Najac, Villefranche, Villeneuve, La Bastide l'Évêque), and numerous châteaux.

"The land of 100 valleys " extends from the Lévézou lakes to the valleys of the rivers Aveyron and Viaur. From ridgetop roads, one plunges down towards the streams and rivers which carve their way down the wooded slopes. Le Ségala is dominated by its jewel, Sauveterre de Rouergue, a magnificent bastide.

Starting from Sévérac-le-Château, the source of the river Aveyron, the river will lead you naturally to Rodez, a town founded two millenia ago. Situated in the heart of Aveyron, the préfecture will welcome you in the shadow of the cathedral said to have the most beautiful belfry in France.

On this vast plateau between the valleys of the Tarn and the Aveyron, no less than six vast and beautiful artificial lakes, including lake Pareloup (1200 hectares), the lake of Pont-de-Salars and the lake of Villefranche-de-Panat. The hills of Lévézou create a picturesque backdrop of wooded hillsides and pastures, making the region a popular holiday destination.

Stretching way beyond the horizon, the plateaux of Larzac, Méjean, Sauveterre and Causse Noir straddle the depths of the Tarn, Jonte and Dourbie gorges. At the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses, you will discover a rich architectural heritage, notably the renowned Templar and Hospitaller sites on Larzac.

From the foothills of the Lacaune mountains to the renowned Larzac plâteau, passing through the Rougier de Camarès and the Tarn valley, the countryside around Roquefort a land of contrasting colours, criss-crossed by numerous rivers and streams. Realm of the ewe, it is here that the famous Roquefort cheese has been produced for centuries.