Venture off the beaten track into the Aveyron gorges, green paradise and wild nature. Over the river, wake up your meaning and create your most beautiful memories.
Extending over twenty kilometers straddling the departments of Aveyron and Tarn-et-Garonne, the Aveyron gorges offer you beautiful landscapes to explore. For a day, a weekend or a holiday, recharge your batteries in the heart of this unspoiled nature.
A Natura 2000 site
The Gorges de l'Aveyron are home to animal and plant species whose quality, rarity or fragility is recognized. As such, they are included in the European Natura 2000 network. The goal? Protect this biodiversity which makes the richness of our landscapes.
A picturesque landscape
South-west of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, the Aveyron river dug his bed in deep throats. The steep and schistose massifs bring striking tones to the landscape. Contemplate this mosaic of colours, ocher sandstone alongside white limestone and bluish pebbles. Marvel at the high cliffs lined with perched villages, viaducts, waterfalls and prehistoric sites.
The vegetation of the Aveyron gorges, in which hemp and flax were once grown, is lush. On the plateaus, oaks and chestnuts take pride of place while conifers replace the vines destroyed by phylloxera at the end of the XNUMXth century.
It is in this rugged setting that the village of Najac stretches like a sentinel along a narrow rocky ridge at the foot of which well-exposed terraced gardens have been laid out. A visit is a must!
The Aveyron Gorges
An enchanting natural space in the heart of Occitania
A wilderness spot
Greatly preserved from human activity, the Aveyron valley is an ideal playground for lovers of big spaces and green tourism. With friends or family with children, walk through the gorges bike. as canoe Kayak, on a climbing course or Hiking. Experience sensations, fly away hang gliding, discover an underground world on the outing potholing, immerse yourself in the cool water of the river.
The discovery of its cliffs is also worth the detour. Take to the skies and admire the rock faces and the serpentine river by taking the Corniche tourist route. Overlook the Cirque de Bône and the Roc d'Anglars in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, unmissable viewpoints during your stay. Push your way to Bruniquel and Cordes-sur-Ciel, two of the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”.
A paradise for aquatic activities
From Villefranche-de-Rouergue to Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val via Najac, there is no shortage of water activities! Embark on canoe Kayak and discover the fauna and flora of the gorges. It's up to you to choose, between a stroll on a long calm river or a splashing sporting challenge! Refresh yourself in the white waters of the river or relax at the swimming pools… In Varen, the Aveyron forms a body of water 3 kilometers long. Endowed with an undeniable charm, it is a privileged place for tourism and aquatic activities.
Where to swim in the gorges of Aveyron?
At the bend of a path or a small country road, discover pleasant natural corners at the edge of the water where you can take a dip...
Important information
For all of the following sites, access is free and swimming, when possible, is unsupervised and therefore under your sole responsibility.
In Villefranche-de-Rouergue
On the Gourg-Gassiés site, located on the Gasse road (along the river), towards La Bastide-L'évêque (5 km). Featuring impressive boulders in a pleasant setting. You can park on the side of the road relying on cars parked nearby. Access to the site is via a small path, the entrance to which is not easy to find.
To Najac
At the foot of the village and its royal fortress, you can enjoy the river in a green setting. Access to the river is not far from the AAGAC leisure base, which also offers an interesting range of activities (canoeing, rafting, hiking, mountain biking, adventure park) to discover the gorges of Aveyron and Viaur.
In Bor and Bar
On the borders of Tarn and Aveyron, you will find a picnic area in Bor and Bar on the banks of the Viaur.
Where to go canoeing in the Aveyron gorges?
To appreciate the wild beauty of the gorges, nothing better than canoeing! Let yourself be carried along by the water... Observe the old mills of Villefranche with Sports and Nature or admire the village of Najac and its fortress with the AAGAC.
Sports et Nature – Canoë Kayak
