Rodez and Aveyron, Midi-Pyrenees

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This region is new to the world of short-breaks - until recently it was quite difficult to reach - but with the opening of Rodez airport and the availability of cheap flights from the UK it is now easily possible to pass a few days in the region.

A significant number of the 'attractions' in the Rodez / north Aveyron region are covered elsewhere in this website, so I won't duplicate the information here (see schedule further down this page). These places include several of the 'most beautiful villages in France':

Apart from the many beautiful villages, it is the countryside of the region that is the big attraction.

Lot Valley near Entraygues

If you follow the Lot Valley from Grand-Vabre (just north of Conques) towards Entraygues it is all very attractive, and the last few kilometres especially so. Likewise if you head west from Grand Vabre.

The valley of the Viaur River to the south of Sauveterre-de-Rouergue is also very attractive. Wherever you go you won't find it hard to find beautiful scenery in the region.

Peyrusse le Roc

Special mention: While you are driving around you should come across Peyrusse le Roc, to the west of the region. The 'modern' Peyrusse le Roc is a normal small village, but below the village, set into the cliffs is another, much older, village. Since its 'discovery' in the 1970's volunteers have enthusiastically cleared paths and removed debris to the abandoned village, and you can now descend by path passed various rediscovered buildings - including a synagogue and a belfry. Very interesting.

Aveyron - Rodez and towns

First port of call will of course be Rodez itself, much the largest town in the region.

Rodez

At risk of getting hung, drawn and quartered I have to say I did not find Rodez very endearing. While it has a nice medieval centre, it is a small centre and completely surrounded by miles of 'out of town' developments. But you still should visit because the cathedral is well worth it - grand but not imposing, not (yet) over-restored, and with a good selection of paintings and woodcarvings etc. A series of new stained glass windows are also very interesting.

Also to see in Rodez? The Public Garden down from the cathedral looked promising on entering, but appears to have more gravel than plants - still, a nice place to find a bit of peace and quiet. There are various small courtyards and other places to admire as you wander around. But this sounds unfair! Rodez is a pleasant place to pass an hour or two.

In fact the defining feature of the whole region is that the villages and countryside are magnificent, while the larger towns are, frankly, not. Apart from Villefranche de Rouergue, which has a great attraction as an authentic French town (and the distinction of being the only town where we have seen a rat under a manhole) the other larger towns were not very inspiring. Decazeville was particularly unappealing.

But enough of this rudeness. Villages to visit not mentioned elsewhere include Entraygues (follow the signs for the campervan parking for a nice picnic spot) and Espalion, and the many others you will come across as you travel around.

Special mention: as you heard north from Rodez you will see signs for the 'Trou de Bozouls'. A curious village well worth  the detour for a quick look, Bozouls is set on either side of a rocky canyon, with the houses built along the edges. Hard to imagine who thought it was a good idea to build a village where the two parts are separated by a large precipice but imressive all the same.

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