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Known for its welcoming and abundant nature, the department of Aveyron conceals unsuspected wonders, which you must absolutely visit if you are a lover of "green" holidays. A land of history and rich heritage, Aveyron will surely satisfy your desire to escape into nature. Its generous gastronomy, picturesque villages, changing reliefs, exceptional sites and the many sporting activities that can be practised there make it an ideal holiday destination for stays under the theme of discovery.

With its 10 villages classified "Most beautiful villages in France", Aveyron has enough to make many other departments of France pale. Estain, Brousse-le-Château, La Couvertoirade, Najac, Saint Côme d'Olt, Conques and Belcastel are among the most magical of these villages. Having served as a model for the film "La Belle et la Bête", the village of Conques is one of the county's highlights. Located on the roads to Santiago de Compostela, its Carolingian treasures and its Sainte-Foy abbey church make it a must for anyone wishing to discover Aveyron. Known for its magnificent stained glass windows by Pierre Soulages, this building is a true treasure of Romanesque art, to visit at any price. Belcastel, on the other hand, is known for its castle on the hillsides proudly dominating the Aveyron valley. Also located on the road to Santiago de Compostela, its houses and unspoilt nature make many visitors succumb every year. Linking Béziers to Clermont-Ferrand, the Millau viaduct is one of the country's most famous architectural feats. This bridge is one of the most popular buildings in the Aveyron, with more than 5 million motorists crossing it every year. Not far from Millau, grant yourself an original parenthesis by going to Peyre : overhanging the banks of the Tarn, this troglodyte city with stone houses built on the cliff side is as unique as it is fascinating. Its cobbled streets, its Romanesque troglodyte church and its breathtaking views over the Millau viaduct are worth a visit ! Rodez bears admirable witness to Aveyron's medieval history : its historic centre, its pink sandstone houses reflecting the sun's rays, but also Notre-Dame Cathedral and Renaissance houses give this city perched on a hillside an incomparable charm. A cultural centre, Rodez is home to the Soulages Museum, which contains more than 500 works by Pierre Soulages, a well-known contemporary artist from the city. His paintings, serigraphs, lithographs, bronzes and oils attract many art lovers each year. If the city of Laguiole is known for its famous knives, it is also known for its generous gastronomy. Among its specialities we advise you to taste the mashed potatoes : a delight ! Skiing in winter or hiking in summer : Laguiole is also worth a look as it is one of the department's major tourist centres. Whether you are a cheese lover or not, you will also have to visit Roquefort-sur-Soulzon : discover its cellars where the cheeses are matured, but also its green nature, perfect place for relaxing breaks.

Welcoming and abundant, nature in Aveyron is rich in a mosaic of secret landscapes : its valleys, its underground caves, Bozoul and its canyon, the peat bogs, the snow-covered hills of Aubrac, the "Hundred Valleys" of Ségala, the colourful and exotic rougiers of Camarès, the lava flow of Roquelaure which dominates the Lot Valley, the gorges of Dourbie and Truyère, the mountains and lakes of Lévézou, Larzac and its plateau with incomparable biodiversity, the peninsula of Laussac and its chapel on the lake of Sarrans... So many singular places of indefinable beauty that you will have to visit. Hiking is the best way to discover all the sumptuousness of the Aveyron area, and the department is also dotted with a myriad of hiking, horse riding and cycling routes (a total of 6550 kilometres) that will allow you to capture all the beauty of these places.

And how can we talk about Aveyron without mentioning its magnificent gorges ? The Tarn and Aveyron gorges are among the most beautiful in France. Classified Natura 2000 areas and abounding in breathtaking landscapes, visit them along the water, by canoe, cruise, through hiking trails, by bike or climbing their mythical cliffs. You will discover the castles, villages, banks, mountains and turquoise waters that make this department so popular with holidaymakers. Lovers of thrills will be spoiled since they will be able to practice many activities full of adrenaline : paragliding in Cassagnes, hang gliding, ULM in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, parachute, hot air balloon flight in Bozouls, bungee jumping in Millau...

Finally, the jewels of French gastronomy : aligot, roquefort, gâteau à la broche and cheese soup will be a must during your stay in Aveyron.