From Villefranche de Rouergue, following the GR, discover villages perched between sky and earth: Cordes-sur-Ciel, Najac, Capdenac-le-haut, Saint-Cirq Lapopie… all labeled Grand Site Occitanie.
The detailed program
Day 1: arrival in Villefranche de Rouergue
Villefranche-de-Rouergue is a medieval bastide town boasting a rich architectural heritage. Located at the confluence of two rivers, the Aveyron and the Alzou, it is one of the emblematic hearts of the Grand Site Bastides et Gorges de l'Aveyron. Take the time to stroll through its streets and discover its must-see monuments: the Chartreuse St Sauveur , a 15th-century monastery and masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture, and the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs , a 17th-century Baroque chapel that has preserved a remarkable ornate wooden vault.
Day 2: Villefranche de Rouergue – Najac
You take the direction of Monteils, a pleasant village located at the entrance to the Aveyron gorges. Depending on the day and time, be sure to visit the Carles Farm (by reservation only). Jacques Carles, passionate about his land, will introduce you to his duck breeding. Rillettes, fritons… You can enhance your lunchtime picnic.
After this break on the edge of the stream, head for the village of Najac classified among The most beautiful villages in France. You will see during the course Najac fortress who watches over the Bastide and its inhabitants. The visit of the royal fortress will offer you an unobstructed view of the town which extends over a rocky outcrop overlooking the river in a grandiose site: meanders on one side, sandstone cornice on the other, rocky ridge...
Night in a bed and breakfast and dinner with a master restaurateur.
Day 3: Najac – Laguepie
In the morning, visit the village of Najac, the Governor's House (an interpretive center showcasing the architecture and heritage of the fortified towns of Rouergue), the Church of Saint-Jean (the first Gothic church in Rouergue, in the Southern Gothic style), and the royal fortress . This visit will offer you a breathtaking view of the village, perched on a rocky spur overlooking the river in a magnificent setting: meanders on one side, a sandstone ledge on the other, and a rocky ridge.
In the afternoon, a short hike awaits you in a natural and wild setting. You will cross the Saint Blaise bridge, a XNUMXrd century historical monument in the direction of Laguépie.
You will then go back up through the undergrowth, to the summit: a superb view of the village of Najac. Then you will cross a forest of Douglas fir before descending into the wild gorges of Aveyron. The rest of the hike will be very easy; you will follow the banks to Laguépie.
Night and dinner in a Gîte de France 3 ears of corn bed and breakfast in Laguépie.
Day 4: Laguépie – Cordes sur Ciel
Today's stage will be short to allow you to take full advantage of Cordes-sur-Ciel, Gothic city between earth and sky. Contemplate the sumptuous residences with sculpted facades and push open the doors of the many craftsmen's stalls.
This is where you will complete your 3 stages on the road from Conques to Toulouse, jacquaire link route between the route of Le Puy and the route of Arles.
Night and dinner in a 2 or 3* hotel-restaurant.
Day 5: Cordes sur Ciel – Figeac – Capdenac Le Haut
Take the time to visit Figeac , a designated City of Art and History and also classified as one of the Great Sites of Occitanie . Merchants' houses, a Romanesque abbey church, squares and meeting places – the very heart of the city reveals its history and secrets.
One of the city's must-sees is the Champollion Museum , dedicated to the history of world writing and Egyptology. The visit can continue to the Place des Écritures (Square of Writings), a replica of the Rosetta Stone, overlooked by terraced gardens planted with Egyptian papyrus.
On foot, you will then take the direction of Capdenac-le-Haut, village classified among The most beautiful villages in France in the Lot. For some historians, this charming village is none other thanUxellodunum, the last Gallic village that resisted Caesar. This episode reported in the Gallic Wars was very real. The siege by the Romans lasted nearly 2 months. It was in Quercy, a former Cadurque country.
Then descent to the Lot valley to reach your accommodation for this evening where you can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool.
Night in a 2** hotel and dinner on site in this family inn where local products and traditional cuisine smell.
Day 6: hike on the Célé variant
Transfer to the Abbey of Marcilhac sur Célé where you can visit the old Benedictine abbey with the ruins of the adjoining cloister; the whole is classified as historical monuments. You can also discover the 2nd oldest tympanum in Europe embedded in the fascinating Romanesque remains left in the open.
You will then go hiking on a path between earth and sky. This walk between valley and causse offers views of the Célé, its cliffs, its Mediterranean vegetation, its meadows and crops at the bottom of the valley.
In Sauliac-sur-Célé, you can observe the XNUMXth century Château de Géniez and old houses in the cliff. A little further down the path you will reach Cuzals Ecomuseum which offers an original discovery of the rural and agricultural history of the Lot.
In the afternoon, arrival in Cabrerets, a typical Quercy village nestled in the bottom of the valley at the foot of the steep cliff of Rochecourbe. There still remains a XNUMXth century castle as well as the ruins of a XNUMXth century troglodyte castle, the Devil's castle (or English castle).
In summer, you can enjoy a beach downstream from the Cabrerets mill.
Night and dinner in a 2** hotel on the edge of the Célé.
Day 7: Cabrerets – Pech-Merle – Saint Cirq – Lapopie
After climbing the hill, you will arrive at the summit of Pech Merle where the famous decorated cave from the Paleolithic is located. It is one of the most beautiful caves prehistoric with authentic paintings of more than 20.000 years including the famous punctuated horses. A single ticket will allow you to visit both Pech Merle cave as well as the Amédée Lemozi museum.
The walk will continue towards Bouziès passing at the foot of the famous parade of the English of Bouziès. The latter is located near the suspension bridge, from which you can observe the high cliffs which welcome large crows, jackdaws and sometimes peregrine falcons.
On the other side of the bridge, you can take a barge cruise on the Lot, rent a boat without a license or take a one-way trip to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (in summer only) with Croisières de Saint-Cirq Lapopie.
If you choose to continue on foot towards Saint-Cirq Lapopie, you will take the old towpath, part of which was dug directly into the limestone cliff above the Lot. The low relief was carved and evokes the environment according to the vision of a Toulouse artist. Depending on the time of your visit to the Ganil lock, you can watch the operation of a manual lock for the passage of boats.
You will then reach Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, perched on a cliff 100 meters above the Lot River. This medieval village is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France and also as one of the Great Sites of Occitanie.
You will then meet at the beach at 13 p.m. for a transfer to Villefranche-de-Rouergue. At the end of the day, you will still have some time to enjoy your complimentary tickets to Villefranche-de-Rouergue, a town in the "Les Bastides du Rouergue" region of art and history , and listed among the "100 most beautiful detours in France".
Dinner in one of the restaurants in the town center and night in a charming bed and breakfast or a hotel (your choice) in Villefranche de Rouergue.
8 Day: end of stay in Villefranche de Rouergue
To end your journey you can take the time to visit the city before leaving.
