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Aveyron, France travel guide

photo of Aveyron

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The Aveyron department is the most north-easterly of the departments within the Midi-Pyrenees region. It falls within the hilly southern reaches of Massif Central region of central-southern france

It is the attractive countryside of the Aveyron that best defines its character - not mountainous yet never flat, with deep green valleys falling between forested hillsides.

North Aveyron

This part of the department includes (to the east) the Aubrac plateau - an extensive raised plateau that spreads into the neighbouring departments. Although at high altitude, the plateau is not mountainous but rather flat and undulating, and quite a harsh environment - one that is also known for the wide range of flora and fauna it contains.

The village of Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac is among the more notable in the region, and along with the nearby villages (Prades-d'Aubrac and Condom-d'Aubrac ) is a good base for exploring this wild yet beautiful environment.

In Aveyron to the west of the Aubrac region are several particularly attractive villages. Highlights among them are certainly Conques, with its abbey and picture postcard setting (and one of our favourite villages in France) and Belcastel, the quiet village in a lovely riverside location a little further south.

Other listed villages to visit in this part of Aveyron include Estaing, and neighbours Saint Eulalie d'Olt and Saint Come d'Olt, and also Entraygues - each of these has its own particular characteristics and all merit a visit.

Central Aveyron

The centre of the region focusses around the market town of Rodez.

The town of Najac is also in the Aveyron along with nearby Sauveterre-de-Rouergue and also the town of Villefranche de Rouergue. All these towns are quite quiet and have their own particular highlights.

South Aveyron

The village of La Couvertoirade is north of Lodève in the Aveyron department, in the extensive Regional Natural Parc des Grands Causses which occupies much of south-eastern Aveyron. Open hilltops, rolling countryside, and craggy rocks and cliffs best denote this attractive region, centred around Millau. A good starting point for your explorations is around Montjaux (a few kilometres west of Millau).

The parc changes in characteristics as you cross it - very broadly passing from steep forested slopes and valleys, to the red landscapes of the 'rougiers', on to the 'avant-causses and the emergence of the rocky landscapes, then onto to the four caussses themselves - high altitude plateaus with great gorges and rock formations and many very scenic locations.

the river and castle in Brousse-le-Chateau Camares church

There are numerous small villages scattered throughout the region, many with their own particular appeal. Among the most attractive are Severac-le-Chateau and Brosse-le-Chateau.

Be sure to see also the renowned new architectural masterpiece - the highest road bridge in the world at Millau Bridge. A consequence of the tourist activity around the bridge is that the town of Millau is also now a popular travel destination.

Note that Rodez airport is a popular arrival point for visitors to Aveyron.