In-Depth Guide to the Surroundings of Logis Vélès, Aveyron

Aubin is a French commune located in the Aveyron department, centrally positioned between three bastides: Figeac, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, and Rodez.

The commune's architectural heritage includes five buildings protected as historical monuments: Saint-Blaise church (classified in 1942), Jules-Ferry school of Gua (listed in 2002), Notre-Dame church (listed in 2003), Notre-Dame-des-Mines church (listed in 2001), and the factory chimneys (listed in 2001), all testifying to its rich industrial past.

Famous for its Romanesque abbey church, a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Way of St. James, the village of Conques in Aveyron is worth a visit for many reasons. An important stop for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela, Conques is also an unmissable destination for any lover of architectural heritage.

Nestled in the heart of the Aveyron valley, the superb village of Belcastel, listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France," forms a postcard-perfect ensemble with its stone houses and slate roofs, its old bridge reflecting in the peaceful waters of the river, and the dominant silhouette of its medieval castle flanked by a square keep. The walk along the Aveyron and through the charming cobbled streets is also very pleasant!

Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages in France," the medieval city of Najac, located in the former province of Rouergue, is set in a quiet and green environment. Its 13th-century royal fortress, perched atop a rocky outcrop, its picturesque houses with slate roofs, its Gothic church, its pretty fountains, and its views of the peaceful Aveyron valley, make it a dream destination for lovers of old stones and authenticity.

Founded in 1252 by Alphonse de Poitiers, Count of Toulouse and brother of Saint Louis, the royal bastide of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, located in the Aveyron valley, presents a remarkable and picturesque built heritage. The heart of the city, Place Notre-Dame, classified as a Historical Monument, is simply superb with its medieval arcades, its beautiful old houses, and the imposing 54-meter high bell-tower porch belonging to the Notre-Dame collegiate church. The latter houses carved wooden stalls and a 15th-century stone pulpit.

An impressive medieval site featuring the atmospheric ruins of its castle and towers, offering a journey back in time.

In the 19th century, a traveler arriving in Bournazel wrote: "From the castle to the pond, one does not know whether nature or man was the architect, painter, or goldsmith to create such a particular and bucolic setting." Discover the village of Bournazel, a place steeped in history and greenery. The village tour offers a journey through its alleys, allowing everyone to discover its architectural aspects and travel through its history, with visible traces from the Middle Ages to the present day. Visitors will hear about the "common people's" revolt in 1790 which led to the destruction of the castle, as well as the episode relating to the epidemic that decimated the village in 1772. Hiking trails (6 routes from 3 to 24km) are available.

Perched on its rocky peak at an altitude of 627 meters, the capital of Aveyron invites lovers of built heritage to discover its many architectural and artistic riches. The emblem of Rodez, the splendid Notre-Dame Cathedral from the 13th-16th centuries, made of pink sandstone, is a masterpiece of Gothic art. Topped by a magnificent flamboyant Gothic style openwork bell tower, this historic monument, with its fortress-like appearance and two massive towers flanking the western facade, houses a stone rood screen and 15th-century carved oak stalls, as well as a 17th-century organ case.

From the top of its rock overlooking the preserved landscapes of the Lot valley, the village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is among the remarkable sites of France. Classified as a Historical Monument in its entirety, the village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is also on the list of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France." Fascinated by the charm of the place, like so many other artists and writers, the poet André Breton chose to make his home there. This perched village with its beautiful stone houses and brown tile roofs forms a harmonious ensemble, and its fortified Gothic church stands at the edge of the high cliff. Inviting leisurely strolls, the pretty flowered alleys of the village are lined with craft shops and art galleries.

A sacred city and major pilgrimage site, the village of Rocamadour, clinging to its limestone cliff, majestically overlooks the Alzou canyon. What a wild and preserved environment! Famous for its sanctuaries and particularly for its Black Madonna, Rocamadour attracts a large number of visitors and pilgrims each year. The village of Rocamadour is also the second most visited site in France after Mont Saint-Michel! After climbing the 216 steps of the Grand Escalier leading to the church square, pilgrims and walkers discover the seven sanctuaries of Rocamadour, including the Notre-Dame chapel, the Saint-Sauveur basilica, and the Saint-Michel chapel. A must-see, the Notre-Dame chapel or miraculous chapel houses a 12th-century statue of the Black Madonna. Near this chapel is the tomb of Saint Amadour. The former episcopal palace, whose entrance is also located on the square, houses the Museum of Sacred Art, which brings together a collection of religious works from the city.

A City of Art and History, Figeac is also a charming medieval city. Rich in ancient heritage, the old town invites strolling. The picturesque alleys along which line up private mansions with sculpted facades and stone and half-timbered houses will delight walkers. An essential stop on the historic center circuit, the pretty Place des Écritures is discovered with Joseph Kosuth's contemporary black granite artwork representing a huge replica of the Rosetta Stone. For all those wishing to learn more about the world of writing, the Champollion Museum offers a rich exhibition on the decipherer of hieroglyphs, Jean-François Champollion.

A natural cavity 33 meters in diameter and 75 meters deep, the Padirac Chasm, located on the Causse de Gramat, was formed by the collapse of its vault. At the bottom of this cavity, 103 meters underground to be exact, flows an underground river. This is discovered at the end of a gallery after taking an elevator or descending the chasm's stairs. From there, boats await visitors for a ride on the calm river. 500 meters further, visitors continue the circuit on foot from where they can successively contemplate the Salle du Lac de la Pluie (Rain Lake Hall) and its Pendeloque (a gigantic stalactite), the Salle des Grands Gours (Great Basins Hall) and its lake, then the Salle du Grand Dôme (Great Dome Hall) and its impressive 94-meter high vault. All these natural formations inspire enchantment and reverie.

Perched on the edge of high cliffs overlooking a torrent, the village of Bozouls in Aveyron occupies a natural site that is impressive, to say the least. A grandiose horseshoe-shaped cirque, nearly 400 meters in diameter and 100 meters deep, which you can contemplate from the terrace of the Place de la Mairie. A superb viewpoint that can make you dizzy!

Salles-la-Source is located halfway between Rodez and Conques. Discover its unmissable waterfalls, its built heritage, its 11th-century churches (Romanesque art), its museum of ancient arts, trout fishing, and morel mushroom picking!

You will discover a land rich in history and emotions by taking the Way of St. James in Aveyron. In the Middle Ages, the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela was a major destination for many pilgrims from all over Europe. The four French routes they took to get there played an essential role in the development of religious and cultural exchanges. This heritage led to the inscription of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. The royal route to reach this Grail was the Via Podiensis starting from Le Puy-en-Velay.

An exceptional sound and light show takes place in Flagnac, Aveyron, every summer in July and August. The Flagnac show is the great living fresco of the Lot Valley. A story full of emotion and special effects gives it an exceptional dimension.