The Rouergue. With rolling “r’s”, the aerial Millau Viaduct as a postcard and the Aligot-Roquefort-Fouace triple on the menu. A strong-willed department, Aveyron, formerly the Rouergue, is a land of contrasts and mysteries, both rugged and sincere. Land of lakes and rivers, valleys and valleys, bastides and churches. Crossed by four rivers, including the one that gives it its name, the Aveyron, in its northern part, it stretches lengthwise along Troyes and widthwise along the Lot. Time to make a few stops on the Voie du Puy, discover beautiful villages, stroll through vineyards and other gourmet or artisan encounters.
On the way to the beautiful villages of the Lot Valley
The first section in the “Most Beautiful Villages of France” series. The numbers are there, but above all this typical authenticity of Aveyron that leaves these villages, as beautiful as they are, with their authentic rural and rural life. And it is with the rhythm of transhumance, grape harvest and passing of nards that life flows there. Four of the 10 “most beautiful villages in France” labeled in Aveyron are therefore in the Lot Valley, not least Saint-Eulalie d’Ault, Saint-Comme-d’Ault, Estaing and Concus. Sainte-Eulalie presents itself as a village of artists and takes the position of a village that flourished with its Renaissance mansions and its elegant castle.
And after the heritage walk, make way for unusual activities with the playful and bucolic Aqua-Vélo located at La Grave, a natural bend of the Lot that forms a lake with its mosaic beach. A little further on, at the crossroads of the limestone Caus and the basaltic Aubrac, as well as the Via Podiensis, one of the roads to Compostela and the Old Road that linked Lyon to Toulouse, Saint-Comte-d’Ault is a fortified village. the plateau smells of herds of wild cows. Its flaming bell tower tells a beautiful legend. on the day of the wedding, the devil sitting on the top of the church would turn his head to admire the beautiful bride, thus twisting the belfry… Going a little further, the Lot, Estein combined vine and chestnut culture and still displays the art deco houses of Aveyron, who left to make their fortunes in Paris : Not forgetting the former president’s castle…
Finally, almost at the border of Lot and Cantal, Conques emerges around a bend, whether you arrived by road or the GR65. In 2022, the magnificent town, home to the golden statue of Saint-Foy, one of the five great European treasures of medieval goldsmithing, celebrates the 40th anniversary of its ranking in the first row of “the most beautiful villages in France”. Every evening the drum is lit while the abbey church vibrates to the rhythm of the organ played by Brother Jean-Daniel. Believers, passers-by and pilgrims will return the next day to experience the power of this church, a labyrinth of arches and stone buttresses soberly illuminated by Pierre Soulage’s stained glass windows.
O Paddle d’Olt. La Grave, Sainte-Eulalie d’Olt. 06.50.84.34.72
Contemporary Art and Craftsmen Today
Lighten up. The Ruthenian Master of Outrenoir. In 2023, a new long-distance hiking route, the GR62, will connect the “Trails of the Soulages” to Rodez, passing through the aptly named Salles-la-Source, which also deserves a detour for its new Cascade. restaurant.. Upon arrival in the capital of Aveyron, the Steel Museum of Cortein sheds light on the career, stylistic evolution and artistic revolution embodied in 1919. the picture.
In Saint-Côme-d’Olt, it is rather a return to the leather craft tradition suggested by Frédéric Sallet. Labeled the Living Heritage Company, Aubrac Bottier reinvents the high-end shoe, entirely handcrafted in 300 steps; you choose leather, sole, color for a unique model, even custom made. Sainte Eulalie rhymes especially with glassware; Jan Zuselli is a glassblower and made the water barometer, said to be Goethe’s specialty. There is another useful item that has come to life in the Causse Comtal, or rather Marcillac Vallon; Liadou, a traditional viticulture knife used to, among other things, split the braid to tie the vine.
Soulages Museum. Jardin du Foirail, Av. Victor Hugo, 12000 Rodez.
Aubrac Bottier. 16 Av. de Saint-Geniez, 12500 Saint-Côme-d’Olt.
Le Liadou. 17 Quai du Cruou, 12330 Marcillac-Vallon.
Farchu and Fer Cervadou
In Aveyron, we like to add “or” to the end of every word. The names are no exception to the phenomenon, but it is at the table that it gains momentum with tripux and other mince, egg and chard pancakes with or without meat. In terms of wine, Aveyron is a land of resurgent vines, but rich in four appellations centered along and south of the Lot; The ever so charming village of Fell, Estaine, which is only 20 hectares and whose AOC was acquired in 2011, and Marsillac in its land of Rouge.
In Clairvoux, Domaine Laurens invites you to taste its Sunday under the cherry trees in red, white or rosé, while Domaine du Cros maintains Lo Sang del Païs in Goutrens. From blends or grape varieties, particularly Fer Servadou, also called Mansois for reds or Chenin for whites, Aveyron wines have the character of their terroir but are also light and fruit based. Like the area and those who bring it to life, they embody the unique blend of power and elegance that is Aveyron.
Domaine Laurens. 7 avenue de la Tour, 12330 Clairvaux-d’Aveyron
Domaine du Cros. Le Cros, 12390 Goutrens
Go
With airplane 1 to 2 daily flights between Rodez and Paris-Orles (aeroport-rodez.fr)
By train Rodez station, then car (sncf-connect.com)
Learn moretouristic-aveyron.com:
Source: Le Figaro
