Najac is one of the most beautiful villages in France, located in the Aveyron region. It's a must-see on the Bastides and Gorges of the Aveyron itinerary. How to visit Najac? Follow the suggested tour.
Najac, the sentinel
Taking its name from a Gallo-Roman domain, Najac developed in the XNUMXth century under the protective wing of a fortified castle.
In the middle of the XNUMXth century, following the crusade against the Albigenses, and while the lands of the South of France were covered with Bastides, the town of Najac, whose location is strategic, was redeveloped by the Count of Toulouse Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of King Saint Louis. Najac then became a city of power, seat of the seneschalsy of Rouergue... Considerable work was carried out there in order to establish royal authority and develop exchanges: the fortified castle was rebuilt, a new and vast church was built, and a new district is laid out around the place du Barry in order to accommodate markets.
Najac sightseeing tour
Place du Faubourg
Designed to develop markets, the Place du FaubourgThe long, narrow street is bordered by two rows of houses that formed a linear housing development. To the south, the stone or half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, aligned, extend into silverware under which the goods for sale were sheltered. A groove corresponding to half a cane (approximately 1 m.) carved into a pillar recalls the need for consular agents to calibrate pieces of wool, linen or hemp cloth sold by foreign merchants to Najac measurements.
The Griffoul fountain
This public fountain carved into a monumental block of graniteIt occupies the central part of the village. A dedication in Latin recalls the date of its construction and the names of the consuls who commissioned it. The arms of Najac (a fortified castle), a blessing bishop (Gilbert de Cantobre, Bishop of Rodez), a bearded king, and figures with enigmatic faces adorn its decagonal basin.
The Saint Bartholomew Chapel
XIVth century
This chapel, which retains most of its architectural layout, and of which the entrance gate remains, was once associated with a hospital and a cemetery. It came under the Dômerie d'Aubrac. Confiscated as national property and sold during the Revolution, it was transformed into a dwelling house.
Saint-Barthélemy Square
Right next to the chapel, Place Saint-Barthélemy offers a very beautiful view of the fortress and the gorges of the Aveyron.
The Governor's House
Former residence assigned to the royal administration, then property of various noble families engaged in trade during the end of the Middle Ages, the building retains important architectural remains (shop arch, windows, cupboards, latrine conduit) dating from the XNUMXth century. , XIVth and XVth centuries.
The building currently houses the Interpretation Centre for the Architecture and Heritage of the Bastides of RouergueOpen to visitors.
The Seneschal's House
15th and 16th centuries
Built at the foot of the fortified castle, this late medieval residence, which retains mullioned windows, a watchtower, and fragments of a mural painting, is believed to have been the residence of the seneschal of Rouergue, at the time when Najac – then populated by about 3000 souls – was the administrative and judicial capital of the province of Rouergue.
The royal fortress
Dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, the fortress of Najac was built to defend Rouergue when the Counts of Toulouse They chose Najac as their capital. Upon the death of Raymond VII in 1249, the building passed into the hands of Alphonse of Poitiers, brother of Saint Louis, and was largely rebuilt according to the architectural codes of the Kingdom of France. This explains why the original section, to the east, has right angles, while the more recent section is characterized by cylindrical towers. Among these is the keep, featuring arrow slits nearly 7 meters wide.
The Gate of the Pike
XIIIth century
This defensive work, contemporary with the fortified castle built by Alphonse de Poitiers, was initially part of the enclosure that surrounded the town until the XNUMXth century. The door, covered by a semi-circular arch, was surmounted by an upper chamber intended to defend access, and defended by a stunner allowing the pounding of possible assailants.
The Church of Saint John the Evangelist
XNUMXth century
The Church, which adopts the Languedoc gothic style, and whose proportions are monumental, was raised at the request of the Dominican inquisitors thanks to the participation of the inhabitants, several of whom, suspected of heresy, were condemned to pay a heavy fine to redeem their faults.
The architecture eminently sober of this vast stone chest, buttressed by huge buttresses, is lit by windows made of openwork slabs.
The single nave, wide and high, was suitable for preaching, public meetings and the reception of pilgrims who could contemplate relics there. The latter received hospitality in the Saint Jacques inn, located opposite the church.
The Saint-Blaise bridge
XIIIth century
Built along the ancient road that led to Villefranche-de-RouergueThis humpback bridge allowed merchants, as well as pilgrims heading towards Compostela, to cross the Aveyron in all seasons. The local lords, and later the consuls acting on behalf of the King of France, maintained a toll there, collecting significant taxes (tonlieu) on people and goods.
MostAC in a few key dates
In 1271: Najac and the county of Toulouse are attached to the Crown. The city knows then and during all the Middle Ages an economic ease. Pilgrims flock there…
In 1348: the Black Death decimates the population of Najac and considerably slows down the economy in the Rouergue. Between 1362 and 1368, and in accordance with the Treaty of Brétigny, the town was occupied by the English royal army, until the population massacred the garrison stationed in the castle.
In 1589: the Huguenots occupy Najac and engage in looting. Driven by hunger, they are finally driven out of the castle by the population.
In 1643: the revolt of the Croquants breaks out. These poor and starving peasants occupied Najac and Villefranche-de-Rouergue. They are arrested, then condemned to death for the example.
During the Revolution: the castle is delivered to the pillage. The monument is fortunately saved from destruction. In the middle of the XNUMXth century, the railway line was built, a section of which passed under the village. The phylloxera which ruined the wine-growing economy, the First World War, then the rural exodus singularly modify the artisanal and agricultural practices.
