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.
What to do in the Aveyron gorges?
Hike in the Aveyron Gorges
The Gorges de l'Aveyron are a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts. You can explore marked trails and enjoy spectacular scenery.
Bike rides
The region is ideal for cycling and mountain biking. You can rent a bike and ride the small winding roads through the hilly landscapes.
Aquatic activities
The Aveyron river is perfect for water sports such as canoeing. Rent a kayak or canoe and cruise down the river taking in the stunning scenery.
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... In many places, access is free but unsupervised and therefore under your entire responsibility.
Good to know: there are beaches on the banks of the river in Laguépie and at Lac de Parisot. Swimming is supervised there in summer.
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.
Climbing
The discovery of its cliffs is also worth the detour. Get up high and admire the rock walls 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 until Bruniquel et Cordes-sur-Ciel, two of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”.
What to see in the Aveyron gorges
By following the course of the river, discover sites with exceptional heritage. Medieval bastides, perched villages, fortresses… So many sites to explore along the water.
- Belcastel: considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, it offers an enchanting interlude along its cobbled streets. Dominated by an 11th century castle restored by the architect Fernand Pouillon, the village is a great place for a stroll.
- Villefranche-de-Rouergue: this bastide founded in 1252 by Alphonse de Poitiers will delight history lovers. Admire its Place Notre-Dame overlooked by its impressive bell tower-porch. To visit Villefranche de Rouergue is also to push the door of two remarkable monuments: the monastery of the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur and the chapel of the Black Penitents.
- Najac: Dominated by its impressive medieval castle, Najac is another unmissable village in the Gorges de l'Aveyron. Admire the castle's architecture, explore the historic center and enjoy panoramic views of the valley from the fortress keep.
- Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val: this picturesque medieval town is located in the heart of the Gorges de l'Aveyron. Stroll through its cobbled streets, stroll under the 14th century Hall and explore the old half-timbered houses.
Try the experience
Discover captivating stories that will take you on a journey through the Bastides and Gorges of Aveyron, whether by bike, van or walking on the Camino de Santiago. These adventure stories invite you to explore our landscapes and inspire you for your next escapades, combining discovery, nature and heritage.
5 good reasons to come to the gorges of Aveyron
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!
Najac and Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val: natural gems in the heart of the Aveyron Gorges
The History of the Aveyron Gorges with a capital H
The Gorges de l'Aveyron have a long history, marked by many changes. Since prehistoric times, they have been inhabited for their caves and rock shelters. During Antiquity, the region was exploited for its mineral resources, such as copper, pyrite, silver lead, manganese and zinc, thanks to its rich geology linked to the fault of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
In the Middle Ages and modern times, the Gorges went through many trials, but it was in the middle of the 19th century that everything really changed with the arrival of the train. To build the 17 kilometers of railway between Monteils and Laguépie, it was necessary to create 13 bridges and 13 tunnels. Even today, parts of this route are only accessible on foot or by motorbike, because there are no roads to access them.
