Discover Najac
Accommodation in Najac
Explore Najac through its defensive architecture, cultural heritage, and trails along the Aveyron. Alongside historic buildings, you can choose from hikes, a mountain biking circuit, and activities on the river. When planning your visit, consider both the different routes and the specific conditions of individual leisure activities.
Fortress, church, and medieval architecture
The Forteresse Royale de Najac is an exceptional example of military defensive architecture from the 12th to 13th centuries. The Church of Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste dates from the 13th to 14th centuries and is characteristic of Southern Gothic architecture. The Porte de la Pique is a different type of structure: a fortified entrance dating from the 13th century. The Fontaine des Consuls dates from 1344 and has a twelve-sided shape.
These buildings represent different functions and forms: from military defensive architecture and fortified access to a church and a fountain. If you are interested in architecture, Najac offers more than a single historical focus; the dates span the 12th to 14th centuries.
Maison du Gouverneur and Najac Museum
The Maison du Gouverneur houses the Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (CIAP). The building hosts temporary exhibitions, guided tours, events, and workshops for families and children. Its programme therefore brings together a range of formats, from guided tours to workshops.
The Najac Museum has a permanent display of tools, objects, archives, and historical photographs from Najac and its residents. While the Maison du Gouverneur offers a changing programme of events and exhibitions, the museum’s display of these objects and records is permanent.
Hiking and mountain biking
Les Châtaigneraies is a 12-kilometre circular hiking route with views of Najac. The return route follows shaded paths along the Aveyron. At the Ruisseau de la Vernhe, there is a 4.2-kilometre hike that takes two hours and includes 196 metres of ascent. PR22 is a moderately difficult 11-kilometre circular hiking route with a stated duration of three hours. PR22 is therefore the longer of the two hiking routes; the hike at the Vernhe combines a shorter distance with a two-hour duration and a stated ascent.
For mountain biking, the Circuit Bano de Biau is a dedicated circular route. It is rated difficult, covers 17 kilometres, has 340 metres of elevation gain, and has a stated duration of one hour and 40 minutes. Hiking and mountain biking routes therefore differ not only in distance, but also in the type of activity and the demands described.
The Aveyron and outdoor activities
Near Najac, the Aveyron winds between the Causse and the SĂ©gala. You can picnic, fish, and hike along the banks of the Aveyron near Najac. The AAGAC outdoor activity centre in the Aveyron gorges offers canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, a high ropes course, and via ferrata. If these activities are important to your travel plans, please check the operating periods in advance.
Outside the peak season, you can go for a walk, picnic, or swim in the river at the leisure centre at PaĂŻsserou. Please be aware of the local conditions: use is at your own risk.
Sightseeing and the year’s events
The guided tour of Najac and the Maison du Gouverneur starts at Place du Faubourg and follows the only road along the rocky ridge. It lasts almost two hours. The old village of Najac is not accessible by car; take this restriction into account when planning your visit.
The Fouace de Najac festival takes place annually at the end of August and is also known as the Saint-Barthélemy festival. Large fouaces are paraded through the village and then sampled. If you are planning a trip specifically for the festival, check the dates for the edition in question. For a motorcycle trip, the circuit from Najac to Rodez runs through the gorges and then follows the Aveyron valley towards Rodez.
Discover more destinations: Pradinas, Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, Le Vibal, Campagnac, Sénergues, Conques, Colombiès, Flagnac.
Go to the main travel overview: Aveyron.
