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The "most beautiful villages of France"

The most beautiful villages are less than 1–1.5 hours from home.

In Aveyron, you'll find 11 of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France"; here are the closest ones within a 75 km radius. These villages offer a journey back in time, with their medieval architecture, picturesque atmosphere, and remarkable panoramas. They are vibrant getaways: artisans, restaurants, galleries, marked trails, concerts, farmers' markets… they will satisfy your desire for culture, beauty, and a return to nature.

 

🏰 Sauveterre-de-Rouergue – Royal Bastide and Artisans

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 20 km — approximately 30 minutes by car
📌 Access: Head towards Naucelle (D997), then follow the signs for "Sauveterre-de-Rouergue" – free parking at the village entrance

Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France , Sauveterre-de-Rouergue is a royal bastide founded in the 13th century.
Its large central arcaded square, lined with half-timbered houses and medieval facades, exudes a unique charm.

Wandering through its checkerboard alleyways, you will discover the Saint-Christophe gate , the corbelled houses and the Saint-Christophe collegiate church with its Gothic altarpiece.
Sauveterre, a vibrant and creative village, is home to many artisans : cutlers, ceramists, bookbinders… who open their workshops to the public.

Throughout the year, the contemporary art trail , the craft markets and the local festivals (Festival of Lights, Chestnut Festival) bring life and authenticity to this village.

💡 Practical information:

  • Free access all year round
  • Guided tours offered by the Tourist Office
  • Restaurants and cafes in the central square
  • Free parking
    🔗 https://www.sauveterre-de-rouergue.fr/

🌉 Brousse-le-Château – Medieval charm on the banks of the Tarn

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 37 km — approximately 50 minutes by car
📌 Access: Head towards Réquista via the D902, then follow the signs for "Brousse-le-Château"

Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France , Brousse-le-Château stands at the confluence of the Tarn and the Alrance rivers.
This medieval village from the 9th century charms with its bucolic and picturesque setting, its cobbled streets and its old houses clinging to the rock.

Between staircases and vaulted passages, the water murmurs below and creates a fairytale atmosphere.
An ideal place for a photo break , a romantic stroll or a peaceful visit amidst nature and heritage.

💡 Practical information:

🪶 Belcastel – A medieval jewel on the banks of the Aveyron

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 47 km — approximately 50 minutes by car
📌 Access: Head towards Rignac, then follow the D57 towards Belcastel

Nestled in a bend of the Aveyron, Belcastel rises in stone terraces dominated by its medieval castle of the 11th century, passionately restored in the 1970s.
Here you will discover an old Gothic bridge from the 15th century , a mill , a Romanesque church rich in listed statues and the Forge House , a memory of the trades of yesteryear.

Belcastel invites you to a peaceful stroll along the river, amidst flower-filled alleyways and art galleries. The castle regularly hosts contemporary exhibitions .

💡 Practical information:

  • Parking at the entrance to the village
  • Pedestrian access to the castle (entrance fee required)
  • Restaurants and tea room on site
    🔗 https://www.mairie-belcastel.fr/

🏯 Najac – Hilltop fortress and breathtaking panoramas

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 54 km — approximately 1 hour 10 minutes drive
📌 Access: Head towards Villefranche-de-Rouergue, then follow the D47 towards Najac

Perched on a ridge overlooking the Aveyron gorges, Najac displays its majestic 12th-century fortress , a testament to its strategic past.
Its steep alleyways and slate roofs offer an exceptional panorama of the surrounding valleys.

Najac retains an authentic medieval atmosphere , with its castle, churches and picturesque houses.
It is an essential stop for lovers of history, heritage and great landscapes.

💡 Practical information:

  • Parking at the top and bottom of the village
  • Paid access to the castle
  • Restaurants and artisan shops
    🔗 https://najac.fr/

🕍 Villefranche-de-Rouergue – Royal Bastide and Living Heritage

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 66 km — approximately 1 hour drive
📌 Access: Head towards Naucelle then Villefranche-de-Rouergue via the D997

Nicknamed the Pearl of Rouergue , Villefranche-de-Rouergue seduces with its large Place Notre-Dame bordered by elegant arcades and dominated by an imposing Gothic collegiate church.
From the bell tower, the view over the rooftops of the bastide is splendid.

Worth discovering: the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur , a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture, theChapel of the Black Penitents with baroque decor, and the Urbain-Cabrol museum retracing local history.
On Thursday mornings, the large market fills the city with colours and scents.

💡 Practical information:

🕰️ Saint-Côme-d'Olt – Medieval village on the Way of St. James

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 67 km — approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car
📌 Access: Head towards Rodez, then Espalion and Saint-Côme-d'Olt via the D920 – free parking around the historic center

Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France , Saint-Côme-d'Olt unfolds on the banks of the Lot, at the foot of the Aubrac mountains.
This charming circular village, surrounded by ramparts, captivates with its preserved medieval architecture and peaceful atmosphere.

Strolling through its cobbled streets, you will discover half-timbered houses with turrets , the Théron gate , a vestige of the old fortifications, and the astonishing twisted spire of the church of Saint-Côme-et-Saint-Damien , which seems to spiral towards the sky.

An iconic stop on the Way of St. James (GR65) , Saint-Côme-d'Olt is also a place for meeting and sharing, enlivened by its small cafes , restaurants and farmers' markets .
Along the Lot river, walks offer superb panoramas of the village rooftops and the surrounding mountains.

💡 Practical information:

  • Free access all year round
  • Free parking near the historic center
  • Guided tours are organized in the summer by the Tourist Office.
  • Restaurants and terraces on the central square
  • Farmers' market on Friday mornings (in season)
    🔗 https://www.saint-come-olt.com/

⛪ Conques – Pilgrimage city and masterpiece of Romanesque art

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 68 km — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes drive
📌 Access: Head towards Rodez then Conques via the D901

A true jewel of world heritage, Conques fascinates with its Sainte-Foy abbey church , a Romanesque masterpiece adorned with a sculpted tympanum and stained glass windows created by Pierre Soulages .
An iconic stop on the Way of St. James , the village reveals its cobbled streets, its half-timbered houses and its treasure of Carolingian goldwork.

Conques is a place that is both spiritual and artistic, to be explored at a slow pace to fully experience its serenity.
The Greeters of AicíPassionate locals offer friendly and free walks to discover the village in a different way.

💡 Practical information:

🏞️ Estaing – Elegance on the banks of the Lot

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 68 km — approximately 1 hour 10 minutes drive
📌 Access: Head towards Espalion, then Estaing via the D920

At the foot of the Aubrac mountains, Estaing charms with its picture-postcard atmosphere: Gothic bridge over the Lot, 18th-century castle and Renaissance facades.
Pilgrims on their way to Compostela find it a peaceful place steeped in history.

The village reveals a harmonious ensemble of old houses, chapels and flower-filled alleyways, in an enchanting natural setting.

💡 Practical information:

🏰 Villeneuve-d'Aveyron – Medieval fortified town between Causse and Rouergue

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 73 km — approximately 1 hour 10 minutes by car
📌 Access: Head towards Villefranche-de-Rouergue via the D997, then follow the D922 towards Villeneuve – free parking near the historic center

Founded in the 13th century, Villeneuve-d'Aveyron perfectly illustrates the architecture of the bastides of Rouergue.
Its cobbled streets, limestone houses and shaded arcades invite you to a leisurely stroll, between heritage and the good life.

Around theIn Place des Conques, you will discover sculpted facades, art galleries and inviting terraces.
The imposing Church of the Holy Sepulchre contains a remarkable collection of medieval frescoes depicting the major stages of the pilgrimage to Compostela.

The bastide also opens onto the Causse de Villeneuve , a vast plateau ideal for walks and observing local flora and fauna.
An ideal place to combine cultural discovery and nature immersion 🌿

💡 Practical information:

  • Free access all year round
  • Free parking around the old town
  • Guided tours organized by the Tourist Office
  • Restaurants and shops on the main square
    🔗 https://www.villeneuvedaveyron.fr/

🎨 Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt – Village of art and character on the Lot River

 

📍 Distance from accommodation: 74 km — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car
📌 Access: Head towards Rodez, then Espalion and Saint-Geniez-d'Olt via the D920 – free parking at the village entrance

Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France , Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt immediately charms with its peaceful atmosphere and perfectly preserved medieval architecture.
Located on a bend of the Lot river, this picturesque village can be discovered along its flower-lined streets , its blond stone facades and its Renaissance houses with sculpted frames.

It is also a village of artists and artisans , where workshops and galleries enliven the narrow streets throughout the year. Painters, ceramicists and sculptors readily open their doors to curious visitors.

The 11th century Romanesque church, the Clock Tower , and the banks of the Lot invite you to stroll and contemplate.
Every summer, events, farmers' markets and local festivals celebrate the conviviality and way of life of Aveyron.

💡 Practical information:

  • Free access all year round
  • Free parking at the entrance to the village
  • Shops, restaurants and artisan workshops on site
  • Walks possible along the Lot
    🔗 https://sainteeulaliedolt.fr/

🪨 Peyre – Troglodyte village on the banks of the Tarn

 

📍 Distance from the accommodation: 74 km — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car
📌 Access: Head towards Millau, then follow the D992 towards Comprégnac – parking at the entrance to the village

Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France , Peyre is an exceptional site clinging to the cliff, carved into the limestone rock overlooking the Tarn.
Its troglodyte houses, cobbled streets and spectacular view of the Millau Viaduct make it one of the most amazing places in South Aveyron.

The village is best explored on foot: Here you will discover an 11th-century troglodytic church partially carved into the cliff, rock dwellings and workshops of artisans and creators installed in natural cavities.
It is a place full of charm, where nature and stone blend harmoniously.

From the panoramic terrace, the view of the Tarn and the viaduct is simply breathtaking, especially at sunset 🌅.

💡 Practical information:

🛡️ La Couvertoirade – Templar fortress of the Larzac

 

📍 Distance from accommodation: 119 km — approximately 1 hour 50 minutes drive
📌 Access: Head towards Millau, then the Larzac plateau – parking is mandatory outside the village

On the Larzac plateau, La Couvertoirade is a perfectly preserved ancient Templar citadel .
Its ramparts, towers and cobbled streets plunge the visitor into the heart of the Middle Ages.

Here you will discover a medieval castle , a Hospitaller church , alleyways lined with shops and panoramic views stretching as far as the eye can see over the limestone plateau.
It's a fascinating stop for history and architecture enthusiasts.

💡 Practical information: