Najac, officially listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France', is about 20 kilometres south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue in the Aveyron department.
Exploring Najac
Najac is an unusual village in that it has just one main street running along the top of a ridge, and is towered over by the Najac fortress at the highest point on the ridge - needless to say there are fine views over the Aveyron countryside and the village of Najac from the castle.
Small as it is, Najac is a lovely village to explore, with the quaint medieval houses with their lauze rooves so typical of this region. The best thing to do is to park on the Avenue de la Gare and then enter the village, near the mairie. The mairie is at the lower part of the village and walking uphill from here to the right head for the Place du Faubourg.
The Place du Faubourg is Najac's market place and is surrounded by pleasant buildings including the tourist office where you can pick up a map of the village. The tourist office is in a small arcaded section of the square where the first floor overhangs the shops below.
There are also a few cafés here where you can stop for a drink, some of them with terraces overlooking the fabulous Aveyron countryside.
Walking back towards the mairie you get superb views of the village as it winds uphill towards the chateau at the other end of the village. It's a fairly steep climb up through the village to the castle but well worth the walk for the fabulous views from this highpoint. The village winds down almost in a single line below the chateau and the Aveyron hills are densely covered with trees.
The walk to the chateau leads past medieval, half-timbered houses, the Seneschal's house and the Governors chateau. The castle itself is well worth a visit and has several interesting military features and very good views across the village and countryside.
Near to the chateau is the church of Saint Jean which was originally also a part of the town's defences. It is in the southern Gothic style and dates back to the 13-14th century.
The castle was built in the 13th century around an earlier tower, as a strategic defence for Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The strategic importance arose during the Hundred Years War and the Albigensian Crusade, during which it became a key strategic cathar stronghold. The cathars were of course defeated, and in Najac they were forced to build a church as punishment - now considered to be one of the finest gothic churches in the region.
See also Chateau de Najac.
On the edge of the village there is a 13th century bridge, the Saint Blaise bridge, which spans the river Aveyron.
Market day in Najac is Sunday.
Attractions nearby
There is a great deal to see and do in the countryside around Najac. Among the many small villages nearby, in particular we recommend you visit the picturesque village at Cordes-sur-Ciel, one of our favourite places in the region.
Also within easy reach of here you must visit the small town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, which has an exceptionally well preserved historic centre.
Explore elsewhere in the Massif Central. You can find more travel ideas in the Aveyron guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide.
Photos of Najac
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Arrange a visit to Najac
Hotels in Najac
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Map of Najac and places nearby
Visit near Najac with France This Way reviews
Chateau de Najac
Najac castle is the impressive ruins of a 13th century castle in Aveyron
Chateau de Najac guide
Verfeil-sur-Seye
The small bastide town of Verfeil-sur-Seye has a nice centre with a market hall and some colombage houses, then visit the nearby Jardins de Quercy
Verfeil-sur-Seye guide
Parisot
The village of Parisot is very small but also very picturesque so visit when you are nearby
Parisot guide
Espinas
Visitors to Espinas usually come here to visit the Chateau de Cas with its furnished rooms and gardens to admire
Espinas guide
Villefranche-de-Rouergue
The 13th century bastide town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue is very much a traditional local town of the region
Villefranche-de-Rouergue guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Aveyron
Tourist classifications for Najac
Najac has received the following tourist classifications: listed town of Art and History ; one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)
Address: Najac, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Midi-Pyrenees, 12270, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.219, longitude 1.9787
Plan your visit to Najac, Aveyron
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Gorges de l'Aveyron: site of natural beauty (3 km)
- Jardins de Quercy: remarkable garden (9 km)
- Beaulieu en Rouergue Abbey: national monument (10 km)
- Villefranche-de-Rouergue: recommended detour (15 km)
- Jardin de Paradis: remarkable garden (17 km)
- Sauveterre-de-Rouergue: town of art and history (27 km)
- Cayriech: ville fleurie 4* (29 km)
- Bruniquel: most beautiful village (31 km)
- Belcastel: most beautiful village (34 km)
- Jardin du palais de la Berbie: remarkable garden (35 km)
- Parc Rochegude: remarkable garden (35 km)
- Episcopal City, Albi: heritage site (35 km)
Market days in Najac, France
A seasonal market is held in Najac on Sunday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Najac (Francais)