Aveyron: Red Landscapes and Heritage

Landscapes and activities in Aveyron

In the Aveyron Aubrac, activities include hiking, cycling and horse riding, as well as skiing in winter. As conditions vary by season, check them before you travel. One regional speciality is Laguiole, a cow’s-milk cheese from the Aubrac region. This allows you to consider the landscape and local food as two distinct aspects of the area, without tying them to a particular itinerary.

The Rougier de Camarès is characterised by red soils and sculpted landforms. If you enjoy exploring on foot, you can hike there; mountain biking and horse riding are also among the activities available. This makes the Rougier a landscape for outdoor pursuits, unlike the Lévézou, where the lakes place the focus on water activities.

The Lévézou is home to five artificial lakes: Bages, Pont-de-Salars, La Gourde, Pareloup and Villefranche-de-Panat. Activities in the region include swimming, fishing, other water sports, hiking and mountain biking. At Lac de Pareloup, options range from sailing, jet skiing and rowing to kitesurfing and predator fishing. Check locally which activities are available and what safety requirements apply. This gives you a clear distinction to guide your trip planning: water and lake activities in the Lévézou, or hiking and cycling in the Rougier and Aubrac.

Bastides, buildings and culture

Six bastide towns in western Aveyron are distinguished by their grid-pattern streets and central squares lined with arcades. When visiting, take particular note of how the regular street plan and the arcaded square work together. The eleven classified villages showcase other architectural forms, including bastides, Templar sites, churches and castles. Five Templar and Hospitaller sites on the Larzac and its foothills bear witness to the area’s religious and military history.

Individual landmarks also have their own appeal: Château de Peyrelade affords views over the Gorges du Tarn. At Château de Calmont-d’Olt, children can take on the role of a knight; the medieval experience also includes operating war machines. Programmes and access arrangements may change, so it’s advisable to check the current visiting conditions before you travel. Château de Belcastel houses several art galleries featuring rare works by American illustrators. As exhibitions may change, check the current programme in advance.

Micropolis in Saint-Léons offers a family-focused experience centred on insects. Here, too, exhibitions and programmes may change, so check what’s currently on offer before your visit. In Rodez, the Musée Soulages houses the world’s largest collection of works by Pierre Soulages. Further donations may expand the collection.

Regional orientation and getting there

The Aveyron Valley can be followed from Sévérac-le-Château to Rodez. Along this regional route, you’ll encounter riverside landscapes, heritage, natural sites and activities for families. This offers a different perspective on Aveyron from focusing on a single landscape area, with several kinds of experiences set alongside one another along the valley.

The southern area, Rougier Aveyron Sud, is accessible via the A75 (E11), using exits 45, 46 and 47. Rougier Aveyron Sud is also served by bus route 720 between Albi and Millau. Check the current route and timetable before setting off. When planning your stay, these details can help you match your arrival point to the landscapes and activities in Aveyron that interest you most.

Discover more destinations

Compolibat, Conques, Millau, Mur-De-Barrez, Saint-Geniez-D'olt, Saint-Maurice-De-Sorgues, Saint-Rome-De-Tarn, Severac-Le-Chateau, Villefranche-De-Rouergue, Salvagnac-Cajarc, Saujac, Salles-Curan, Najac, Rignac, Saint-Sernin-Sur-Rance, Saint-Léons, Rodez, Rieupeyroux, Pont-De-Salars, Moyrazès, Mostuéjouls, Lʼhospitalet-Du-Larzac, Laguiole, Lagarrigue, Jaux, Estaing, Entraygues-Sur-Truyère, Decazeville, Compeyre, Castries, Capdenac-Gare, Brusque, Baraque De Fraysse, Saint-Beauzély, Saint-Amans-Des-Cots, Escandolières, Valady, Onet-Le-Château, Boussac, Sainte-Juliette-Sur-Viaur, Lavernhe, Montézic, Tayrac, Centrès, Saint-Chély-D’aubrac, Les Angles, Rivière-Sur-Tarn, La Salvetat-Peyralès, Villeneuve, Montlaur, Espalion, Réquista, Flagnac, Saint-Affrique, Sainte-Radegonde, Le Fel, Montagnol, Montrozier, Cransac, La Cavalerie, Muret-Le-Château, Versols-Et-Lapeyre, Lacalm, Camarès, Le Nayrac, Tauriac-De-Naucelle, Sainte-Eulalie-De-Cernon, Foissac, Lestrade-Et-Thouels, Villefranche-De-Panat, Cassagnes-Bégonhès, Bozouls, Comps-La-Grand-Ville, Belmont-Sur-Rance, Fondamente, Brandonnet, Viviez, Campagnac, Almont-Les-Junies, Saint-Georges-De-Luzençon, Naucelle, Peyreleau, Saint-Cyprien-Sur-Dourdou, Saint-Laurent-D'olt, Sébazac-Concourès, Saint-Jean-D'alcapiès, Laissac, Castelnau-De-Mandailles, Palmas, La Fouillade, Ambeyrac, Salles-Courbatiès, Florentin-La-Capelle, La Bastide-Solages, Sauveterre-De-Rouergue, Grand-Vabre, La Cresse, Trémouilles, Nant, Lugan, Le Vibal, Naussac, Sainte-Croix, Saint-André-De-Najac, Sébrazac, Firmi, Tournemire, Creissels, Olemps, Saint-Félix-De-Sorgues, Marcillac-Vallon, Privezac, Calmels-Et-Le-Viala, Agen-D'aveyron, Aubin, Verrières, Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, Pradinas, Lunac, La Selve, Anglars-Saint-Félix, Cantoin, Graissac, Castelmary, Villecomtal, Taussac, Saint-Salvadou, La Couvertoirade, Curières, Nauviale, La Capelle-Balaguier, Vézins-De-Lévézou, Prévinquières, Sainte-Eulalie-D'olt, Coupiac, Le Truel, Saint-Rome-De-Cernon, Sénergues, Gaillac-d'Aveyron, Castanet, Auriac-Lagast, Bournazel, Buzeins, Golinhac, Cornus, La Bastide-l'Évêque, Lacroix-Barrez, Prades-d'Aubrac, Causse-et-Diège, Gabriac, Castelnau-Pégayrols, Sanvensa, Goutrens, Salles-la-Source, Connac, Crespin, Brousse-le-Château, Brasc, Martiel, Lassouts, La Roque-Sainte-Marguerite, Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul, Viala-du-Tarn, Saint-Félix-de-Lunel, La Loubière, Vaureilles, Saint-Jean-du-Bruel, Lapanouse-de-Cernon, Pierrefiche, Veyreau, Quins, Coubisou, Colombiès, Comprégnac, Saint-Laurent-de-Lévézou, Brommat, La Capelle-Bleys, Montclar, Noailhac, Cabanès, Saint-Izaire.

For the broader travel overview: Midi Pyrenees.