guide
The Aveyron reveals an exceptional natural and cultural heritage, from the cellars of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon to the Larzac plateau, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the historic route of the Knights Templar and Hospitallers. Next comes the Aubrac plateau, with its typical stone shepherd huts (burons) and the Laguiole knife museum. The stay ends on a high note with local gastronomy: aligot, tripous, cheese and Marcillac wine.
Do you dream of discovering the authentic charm of the south of France? Set off to explore the Aveyron department. In a landscape marked by exceptional nature, you’ll wander among villages full of character, rivers and vast plateaus. This gem of the south-west is also a reminder of the diversity of France’s traditions and heritage.
For an unforgettable holiday, remember to book at one of the many nature campsites in the Aveyron. To plan your itinerary of discoveries, here are a few suggestions of places of interest and activities to enjoy in the Aveyron.
A cheese lover? Roquefort will hold no more secrets for you during a stay in the Aveyron. This famous cheese is a flagship element of French identity. A visit to the most famous cellars of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, such as Gabriel Coulet or Papillon et Société, will be a chance to discover the behind-the-scenes production of this intriguing delicacy, and also to sample this essential cheese of our heritage.
If you’re looking for an outdoor activity, head to the Larzac. Covering an impressive area of 1,000 km², this land is characterised by astonishing biodiversity. Among the many discoveries awaiting you, we particularly recommend heading to the village of La Couvertoirade, which will plunge you into the medieval era. Note that this karst plateau is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A history enthusiast? Venture onto the Templars’ trail, located within the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park. This adventure offers an interesting way to enrich your knowledge of this important chapter of Aveyron’s history. Thanks to the many guided tours offered on site, you’ll unravel the many secrets of the Order of the Temple of the Hospitallers. What’s more, UNESCO has classified this site as an exceptional territory.
The Abbey of Sylvanès is a building dating from the 12th century. It’s among the first Cistercian abbeys of the Aveyron department, which once corresponded to the former province of Rouergue. You’ll be particularly charmed by the remarkable architecture of this building. During the summer season, this exceptional site hosts the events of the international festival of sacred music and world music.
Setting off on an adventure to the Aubrac plateau means discovering a 2,500 m² area, made up mainly of forest trees and pastures. It’s the ideal place to get a breath of fresh air. Among the activities available to you, we recommend visiting the Laguiole museum. It’ll be a wonderful opportunity to admire old versions of the world-famous Laguiole knife. This exhibition space also houses numerous tools that were essential to the trades of the past.
After this enriching visit, take a gourmet break at the Chez Bras restaurant. It ranks in the top 10 best restaurants, not just in France but worldwide. It’s located on the puech du Suquet. It offers a menu that changes with the seasons, using local produce. So expect a culinary adventure to sheer ecstasy!
For an authentic experience, step into a buron to discover the famous aligot. This small stone house, typical of the Aubrac plateau, stands out for its lauze stone roof. In the past, it was used for cheese-making.
If you’ve chosen to stay at an eco-friendly campsite, treat yourself to a culinary journey to discover local produce. The local specialities will reveal to you the full richness of Aveyron cuisine. Among the most famous dishes in this area, we’ll mention farçous, estofinado, tripous and aligot.
We’ll also mention the essential cheeses of Laguiole, Rocamadour and cabécou du Roquefort. To accompany these delicacies, remember to try the famous Marcillac wine. For dessert, you have plenty of options, among which we’ll mention fouace, pompe à huile and spit cake.
Roquefort, made in the cellars of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon (Gabriel Coulet, Papillon and Société), which can be visited and tasted on site.
Yes, this 1,000 km² karst plateau is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, particularly around the medieval village of La Couvertoirade.
Aligot, farçous, tripous and estofinado are among the must-try specialities, best enjoyed with a glass of Marcillac wine.
The international festival of sacred and world music takes place there every summer, in this 12th-century Cistercian abbey.
