12 must-see experiences in Aveyron

Staying at Domaine de Combelles, a campsite near Rodez, means taking advantage of an ideal location for visiting the most beautiful tourist sites in Aveyron.

1 – Discover Rodez and its museums (Soulages, Fenaille, Denys-Puech)

With its Pays d’art et d’histoire label, RODEZ, capital of Aveyron, boasts a rich historical heritage. Dominated by the pinkish Notre-Dame cathedral, the “piton”, the nickname given to the town by the Ruthenois, is also home to the Soulages museum, a must-see.

The Fenaille Museum will also be opening its doors to you – doors that overlook the largest collection of menhir statues in Europe!

Finally, the Musée Denys-Puech – Musée des Beaux-Arts – plunges you into the history of sculpture, from the ^mid-19th century to the present day.

2 – Water sports on Lac de Pareloup (43 min away)

Swimming, fishing and a variety of water sports activities await you on one of Aveyron’s five lakes. In the center of the Aveyron département, Lac de Pareloup, the largest of them all, is the 5th largest man-made reservoir in France.

3 – Visit the 10 Aveyronnais villages listed as “Les plus beaux villages de France” (The most beautiful villages in France)

Plan one or more excursions to discover Aveyron’s exceptional heritage:

1. Belcastel
2. Brousse-le-Château
3. Conques
4. Estaing
5. La Couvertoirade
6. Najac
7. Peyre
8. Saint-Côme-d’Olt
9. Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt
10. Sauveterre-de-Rouergue

4 – Explore Belcastel and its medieval castle (33 min away)

Belcastel is one of France’s most beautiful villages, and boasts an exceptionally rich medieval heritage. Discover this magnificent medieval fortress built 1,000 years ago on a solid rocky outcrop. Open to the public, Château Belcastel reveals its lush courtyards, medieval chapels and prison.

5 – Marvel at Conques (48 min away)

“Pareil trésor dans un tel désert”: such were the words of Prosper Mérimée when he discovered the abbey church of Conques, a precious and well-preserved heritage of the Romanesque period, a lesson in architecture and a major pilgrimage site on the route to Santiago de Compostela. The charm exerted by the harmonious rhythm of its arches, the contemporary reflections of its changing stained glass windows, seduce or intrigue the visitor. As for its tympanum, it is bound to give rise to exegesis…

6 – Stroll around Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt (50 min away)

Situated on the right bank of the River Lot, Sainte-Eulalie is organized in an arc around the church square, a masterpiece of Romanesque and Gothic art. In the narrow streets paved with Lot pebbles, the houses, passionately decorated with flowers by the locals, date from the 15th to the 18th century. A special feature of the village are the mills along the Serre stream, which bear witness to the tanneries and draperies that once used the power of water.

7 – Enjoy a unique experience at Micropolis, the “city of insects” (40 min away)

Nestling in the magnificent natural setting of Saint-Léons, the Micropolis insect city offers a unique adventure in Europe.
It’s the only place where parents and children can explore, marvel and enjoy a unique experience surrounded by animals that are tiny in size, but full of surprises.

8 – Diving in the “Trou de Bozouls” canyon (32 min away)

The Trou de Bozouls is a horseshoe-shaped gorge, 400 m in diameter and over 100 m deep. Classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, discover an area sheltering natural habitats and remarkable flora and fauna. The trails are accessible to all, thanks to the many educational panels.

9 – Admire the Millau Viaduct, a marvel of architecture and engineering (50 min away)

Take a guided tour of the Millau Viaduct and discover the history of the record-breaking viaduct, its structure and its history. Visit the exhibition of the famous viaduct, and enjoy an immersive show featuring augmented reality models and exclusive images of the construction.

10 – Visit Laguiole and learn all about the famous eponymous knife (1h away)

Discover the Laguiole knife museum and the history of local cutlery. Visit the cutlery workshops to learn about the history and manufacture of knives. In the afternoon, meet our Damascus steel specialist, whose expertise combines “fire and iron”.

11 – Walking on the Aubrac plateau (1h away)

Let your steps guide you to one of the hikes on the Aubrac plateau. Between mountain and plateau trails, valleys and meadows, there’s something for everyone. Discover the famous GR 65, one of the best-known pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.

12 – Immerse yourself in the cellars of Roquefort (1:13 a.m.)

Let yourself be tempted by a guided or self-guided tour of the cellars of the famous Roquefort brand. Discover the mysteries of the Roquefort Société cellars, where this cheese is still matured in Aveyron, in these cellars with their unique architecture. Roquefort PDO is displayed from January to July. During this period, you won’t find any cheese in the cellars.

To help you make the most of your stay, we recommend you visit tourisme-aveyron.com, where you’ll find all the must-see places in our département.