Sightseeing trips at short distance
Villefranche de Rouergue(25 min)
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Villefranche is a large “bastide” (fortified city) from the 13th century, along the Aveyron river. On Thursdays there is a big market with local products between 9pm and 12pm. Main attractions: the cathedral (in the summer the tower is open from which you have a gorgious view), the chapel of the “Pénitents noirs”, the “place des Arcades” (the square of the town) and all the little picturesque streets in the historical centre. Across the bridge there is the Tourist Office. There is an alternative route going through La Bastide l'Evêque and the “Gorges de l'Aveyron”. |
Sauveterre (20 min)
The best conserved bastide in France!
It's a little village but there is a nice pizzeria and a restaurant where you can sit outside. Under the arches of the main square, a tapestry workshop hosts a permanent exhibition.
During the high-season, on Fridays, there is an evening market from 6:30pm.
From the campsite go towards Tayrac then Pradinas (D 85). Make a right before Pradinas towards Sauveterre. After a few miles you will see on you left on a hill the ruins of the castle of Castelnau.
Château du Bosc (40 min)
| Summer house of the Toulouse-Lautrec's family. You can visit the castle and the gardens. |
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La Garde Viaur (40 min)
Little medieval village along the Viaur river. There is a nice bar/restaurant and you can swim in the river.
From Pradials follow the D 71 until Lescure Jaoul. In Lescure Jaoul go to St André de Najac (D544). Then follow La Garde Viaur (D239). See also the hiking guide “Topoguide”.
Belcastel (30 min)
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A bigger medieval village with a castle (but it is not really worth to do the guided tour as the castle is inhabited so not totally accessible). The village is set in the beautiful Aveyron valley and the route to go there is also very picturesque. There are 2 restaurants which are both very good, Le 1909 is more affordable though. |
You can combine your visit to Belcastel with Marcillac, Clairvaux and Bruéjouls. These villages are all built with the typical red stone from that area. It is the wine area of the Aveyron. If you want to buy wine we recommend the Domaine du Cros of the Teuliers family in Goutrens.
Animal Park and museum from Pradinas (10 min)
| Pradinas is a little village with an animal park with animals such as deer, lynxes, wolves etc. There is a mini farm for the kids and a little train. This park is nice for kids, although we wouldn't recommend you to go there when it is very hot as there is little shade. In the park there is a nice museum where you can discover old agriculture traditions of the Ségala. Tickets: 12€/adult and 7€/child (3 to 11 years old). On the right of the D 85 there is a turn to La Planque. If you follow that road you will see the castle of La Planque and the deer breeding farm. The castle used to be the lord's domain of Pradinas. |
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