Heritage lover, hiking lover, gastronomy lover... Choose the theme made for you for a weekend in Aveyron.
In this article, we give you our ideas for a weekend in the destination Bastides and Gorges of Aveyron, one of the Grand Sites Occitanie – Sud de France.
Full of heritage in one weekend
Are you a heritage lover? We bring you the essential monuments to visit during a weekend. And because choosing Aveyron means choosing tranquility, here are 4 sites to explore without rushing:
- La royal fortress of Najac : perhaps the most spectacular monument of our destination Bastides and Gorges of Aveyron! Impressive in its size and its position above the gorges of Aveyron, the fortress is a 40 meter dungeon to climb and more than 10 centuries of history to discover.
- The abbey of Loc-Dieu : this Cistercian monument stands in the heart of a 40-hectare park which invites you to take a stroll. This building with its elegant architecture conceals many secrets…
- La Chapel of the Black Penitents : push open the doors of a monument with a sober and elegant appearance before discovering a gem of baroque art! Fully painted vault, imposing golden altarpiece... It's a guaranteed wow effect!
- La Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur : this time, a haven of serenity awaits you at the gates of Villefranche de Rouergue. Following in the footsteps of the Carthusian Fathers and Lay Brothers, walk through a monument that will not leave you indifferent.
Three bastides to visit during a weekend in Aveyron
Aveyron is full of charming villages and towns with a rich heritage... Along with the Dordogne, the department also has the largest number of villages classified among the most beautiful in France: 10! But, in this article, we want to introduce you to three cities with unique history and architecture! Discover Villeneuve d'Aveyron, Villefranche de Rouergue and Najac, three of the six bastides of Rouergue.
For this weekend in Aveyron, we suggest:
- Half a day to Najac to climb up to the royal fortress and visit the Governor's House (you will make many discoveries about the bastides).
- A full day at Villefranche-de-Rouergue to visit the bastide and its collegiate church, the Chapel of the Black Penitents and the ancient monastery of the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur.
- Half a day to Villeneuve d'Aveyron to stroll through the streets, contemplate the paintings of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and visit the Jean-Marie Perier Gallery.
To perfect your weekend program, we suggest you browse our three tips below.
Family weekend with children
Experience magical moments with your loved ones in the heart of Aveyron! The recipe for an ideal stay with children:
- monuments to explore;
- wide open spaces for family adventures;
- activities to let off steam and challenge yourself!
Discover our top tips for family activities and outings based on the age of the children:
Unusual weekend in Aveyron
Want to break away from routine? For an unusual weekend in Aveyron, choose extraordinary accommodation for an unforgettable night:
- A trailer at campsite OnlyCamp de Villefranche de Rouergue for a bohemian atmosphere.
- Un cabane in the woods at Moulin de Cavaillac in Naussac: perfect for reconnecting with nature.
- A bubble surrounded by nature in Najac, the starry sky from your bed!
- A medieval guest room in the heart of the bastide town of Villefranche.
- An experiment van-life to wander around the destination in road-trip mode.
Hiking weekend in Aveyron
Did you know ? Our destination is crossed by the variant Conques-Toulouse of the way to Santiago de Compostela! Lace up your hiking shoes and set off on our GR. Of Peyrusse-le-Roc to Laguépie via Villeneuve, Villefranche-de-Rouergue et Najac, explore our destination on foot.
Please note: the Salles-Courbatiès, Villefranche de Rouergue and Najac stations, all close to the GR, allow you to get to your starting point by train!
Gourmet weekend in Aveyron
Where to start ? From the beginning! Come and meet our local to discover the manufacturing process of the destination's products. Goat cheeses, fatted ducks, edible flowers, walnut oil, truffles... Flavors and lovely encounters on the program for your farm visits !
And then, time for tasting! There are of course the Aveyron ambassadors: aligot, sausage and Roquefort….but we have some other lesser-known traditional dishes that deserve to be tasted! At restaurants, at markets, on picnics... One goal... to have fun!
Car-free weekend in Aveyron
Le train takes you to Villefranche de Rouergue and Najac for a car-free weekend in Aveyron. An excellent idea for a carbon-free getaway! On foot or with your bike, explore the visiting sites near the destination's stations.
Your visiting sites located less than one kilometer from a station:
- La country house from Villefranche-de-Rouergue
- La chartreuse st-Sauveur
- La Chapel of the Black Penitents
- La Notre Dame collegiate church
- La St Jacques chapel
- La chapel of Ste Emilie de Rodat
- The medieval village of Najac
So board the train towards the Bastides and Gorges of Aveyron! And because the journey is also part of the journey, you will be able to contemplate unique landscapes from the rails.
Themes
