Bastides in Rouergue
Bastides : ideal medieval villages
Listen carefully as the ‘bastides’ recount their rich medieval past ! Welcome to Villefranche de Rouergue, Najac, Sauveterre de Rouergue, Villeneuve d’Aveyron, La Bastide l’Évêque and Rieupeyroux : founded from the 12th century onwards in south-west France, these towns were the result of strong political determination marked by serious thinking about the concept of the ideal village. They present a grid layout of streets with a square in the middle which was the centre of religious and public life. Nowadays these squares are where markets are held, friendly, colourful occasions to enjoy the savours and flavours of Aveyron ! Apart from heritage, cultural and natural attractions, meet the local inhabitants by visiting farms and craft workshops, discover the traditions and culture of Aveyron in museums and have fun at animal parks and play parks. There is something for everyone !
In Villefranche-de-Rouergue, at the heart of the Rouergue area, admire the Place Notre-Dame, its arcades and imposing collegiate church with carved stalls and impressive belltower-entrance. Stroll through the maze of narrow medieval streets bordered by the houses and mansions of bygone wealthy merchants, whose doors and towers symbolised the social standing of inhabitants in the 15th century. If you want to know the time, just stand near the fountain on Place Notre Dame ! The number of hours corresponds to the number of jets of water, lit by 60 tiny orange lamps in the centre of the fountain.
Follow the Gorges de l’Aveyron to Najac, a country village surrounded by colourful forests with an enchanting main square, castle and remarkable water fountain. Take a trip back in time with a guided tour of the castle, a listed monument. Stout-hearted visitors can have fun canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and rafting in the turbulent waters of the River Aveyron.
Continue on your journey to the village of Sauveterre-de-Rouergue, classed as one of the « Loveliest Villages in France », with its main square bordered by 47 arcades. This trading centre used to house many diverse and prosperous trades including a forge, cutlery-makers, milliners, drapers, butchers… Today it is a timeless village of half-timbered and corbelled houses, ornamental carved stonework, finely crafted doors, remains of fortifications, moats, towers and town gates. It is a recognised centre for arts and crafts with artists, leather workers, musical instrument makers, etc.
The village of Villeneuve d’Aveyron gives the impression that time has stood still ! Admire its medieval and Renaissance houses with their lancet-arched arcades, marvel at the church of Saint-Sépulcre whose Romanesque apse was demolished in the 14th century to make way for a much lighter Gothic nave.
From Rouergue to Ségala
La Bastide l’Evêque is a character village on a granite plateau overlooking the Gorges de l’Aveyron where numerous ‘martinets’ (hydraulic forges) were once used to beat copper in the Middle Ages. One of them, the Martinet de la Ramonde, has been totally restored and is a fascinating place to visit. Enjoy the great outdoors and follow the many signposted footpaths through the countryside to discover churches, castles, bridges, mills along the way. Go a little further on to feast your eyes on the picture-postcard villages of St Salvadou, Vabres-Tizac and La Capelle Bleys.
The Ségala area also contains the village of Rieupeyroux with its delightful arcades around the Place du Gitat, its half-timbered houses and its fountain. Stroll through the small, narrow streets to the church of Saint-Martial, a listed monument. Rebuilt in the 14th century, its system of defence makes the church one of the rarest and most noteworthy examples of fortified architecture in southern France. Families love visiting the little village of Pradinas, with its Musée des Traditions Agricoles du Ségala (museum of agricultural traditions) and its animal park with cinema stars like wolves and bears plus a falconry display.
In summer, there are many traditional summer festivals, Bastide festivals and twilight markets to enliven your holiday and enjoy some local speciality foods like charcuterie, tripe, veal from Aveyron and Ségala, prune rissoles.
What to do in the Bastides du Rouergue ?
Chapelle des Pénitents (Villefranche de Rouergue), priory
Château du Bosc, magnificent family home of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec (Sauveterre-de-Rouergue)
Walks, treetop adventure, museums, castles , horse riding, walks with donkeys, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, rafting, caving, Via Ferrata, treasure hunt, orienteering, hot-air ballooning, art workshops (Sauveterre)
ON FOOT : Bastides de Rouergue are accessible via the GR36 and 62b hiking paths
BY ROAD : Autoroute A20 northbound, exit 59 (Caussade and Saint Antonin Noble Val)
Autoroute A20 southbound, exit 58 (Cahors-sud /Villefranche de Rouergue) exit 54 (Gouffre de Padirac, Gramat and Rocamadour) then follow Figeac and Villefranche de Rouergue
Autoroute A75 southbound, exit 42 (Séverac le Château)
Autoroute A75 northbound, exit 45 (Millau, Saint-Beauzély, Castelnau-Pégayrol)
BY RAIL : to Villefranche de Rouergue or Najac
Direct train from Toulouse approx. 1½ hours
From Nîmes or Montpellier, change at Toulouse
From Paris via Toulouse, Clermont Ferrand or Brive la Gaillarde
Daily overnight train via Figeac"
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