France > France regions > Midi-Pyrenees > Aveyron > (Massif Central) > Belcastel
Belcastel
Belcastel ('most beautiful villages of France') is about 20 kilometres west of Rodez, in the north-west of the Aveyron department.
Tourist Information and places to visit
Belcastel is a very pretty village nestling in the wooded slopes along the banks of the Aveyron River, with Belcastel castle towering on the rocky outcrop above. The ancient houses, most notable for their stone (lauze) rooves, spread up the steep hillside between the river and the castle, along pretty, narrow cobbled streets.
The river is crossed by a very attractive stone bridge, narrow with five arches, built by the same person who founded the church - both date from the fifteenth century. Don't forget your camera!
Belcastel is for me one of the great villages of France. We visited on a sunny few days at the end of October when there were almost no other tourists and it really is an incredibly beautiful place. There is nothing at all to 'spoil' the village, which is a perfect ensemble.
You will find a lovely picnic area across the bridge from the village, next to the church.
About 1 kilometre from Belcastel (follow the road next to the church) are the remains of an old fort.
The Belcastel story is interesting: the castle was recently (during the 1970's) acquired and meticulously restored by the architect Fernand Pouillon, from his own funds. This then motivated the rest of Belcastel to beautify themselves, mostly during the 1980's.
Perhaps this in part explains Belcastel's 'perfection' - although it avoids the 'too perfect' look of some of the recently restored 'most beautiful villages'.
Nearby: don't miss Conques and Figeac
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Places to visit - Belcastel
Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Belcastel.
Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Belcastel are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)
- Conques Most beautiful village at 24 km
- Sauveterre-de-Rouergue Market town at 18 km
- Rodez Town in Massif Central at 27 km
Tourist Classifications for Belcastel
- Most beautiful villages in France
Information and photos
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