In October, I’m embarking on one other journey to Aveyron France, also called La France Profonde. It’s a place that holds a particular nook of my coronary heart. You would possibly surprise why I’d return to a vacation spot I’ve already explored. Let me share my causes for returning, and why I consider it is best to add it to your journey bucket record, as effectively. Let this be your Aveyron journey information!
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1. Aveyron: La France Profonde
The place is Aveyron, France? Aveyron is without doubt one of the Occitanie area’s departments situated in central southern France. It’s typically thought-about “La France Profonde”—essentially the most profoundly “French” and predominantly rural space of France. It’s the a part of France, with small French villages and rural countryside and tradition.
(a) Extra Cows Than Individuals
In reality, on the French cattle breeder’s web site, Internet-agri, journalist Alice Peucelle states that within the Aveyron division, there are extra cows than individuals: 1.51 vaches (cows) per inhabitant.
How rural is that?!
(b) Heaps Of Canyons And Gorges In Aveyron
The Lot, Aveyron, Truyère, and Tarn rivers carve canyons and gorges all through the division making the journey via this area particularly scenic. One village I beloved visiting was Bozouls, which sits on the sting of a gorge.
It is a less-travelled a part of France that isn’t overrun with vacationers. After I visited, everybody I met spoke French, providing a really immersive expertise. They didn’t change from French to English. (Or, perhaps they thought my French was ok!)
What are you able to do on this neck of the woods? Right here’s a glimpse of what I’ve finished and my plans for October. Will probably be a highway journey via Aveyron France, exploring acquainted locations and plenty of new ones.
Click on on the map or on this hyperlink and also you’ll be directed to a Google Map indicating all of the locations on this publish.
Key Websites To Go to In Aveyron France
2. My Love Affair With “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”
This division has 10 Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Lovely Villages Of France) providing picture-perfect allure amidst rolling hills and valleys. I’ve explored 7 of those enchanting Aveyron villages (Belcastel, Estaing, Peyre, Sauveterre-de-Rouergue, Brousse-le-Château, Najac, and La Couvertoirade), and I’ve actually grown to like their rustic allure and the unhurried tempo of village life. They provide a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of massive cities like Paris.
Take a look at 45 of 176 designated villages that I’ve visited thus far all through France on this publish: The Most Lovely Villages In France That I’ve Visited.
(a) Remaining Plans
I’m keen to go to the remaining 3 Les Plus Beaux Villages de France in Aveyron: Saint-Eulalie-d’Olt, Saint-Côme d’Olt, and Conques with their quaint cobbled streets and medieval character. Plus, I plan to get pleasure from a scenic bike experience alongside the Lot River between Espalion and Saint-Geniez-d’Olt.
(b) Suggestions
- Belcastel
- Estaing
- Peyre
- La Couvertoirade
- Brousse-le-Château
- Sauveterre-de-Rouergue
- Najac
- Saint-Eulalie-d’Olt
- Saint-Côme d’Olt
- Conques
- Bike experience alongside the Lot River
3. Exploring The Outdoor And Nature
As an out of doors fanatic Aveyron’s pure wonders by no means stop to amaze me. That is one more reason why Aveyron is taken into account “La France Profonde”. My go to to Bozouls included a stroll right down to the underside of the gorge and again up. It was simple and scenic.
I’ve marveled at, pushed throughout, and run throughout the awe-inspiring structure of the world’s tallest bridge, the Millau Viaduct however I’m desperate to see extra of the gorge valley it spans.
Whether or not you’re an avid adventurer or just in search of a peaceable retreat in nature, Aveyron has one thing to supply everybody.
(a) Remaining Plans
- Hike the rugged trails of the Grands Causses Regional Pure Park (Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses), set across the Tarn Gorge.
- Lease a kayak and paddle via the tranquil waters of the Lot or Tarn Rivers would even be a enjoyable factor to do. Oddly sufficient, it appears the one time I kayak is in France!
- Take a look at the place else I’ve kayaked (hyperlink to the publish):
(b) Suggestions
- Drive on and under the Millau Viaduct and benefit from the surroundings of the gorge valley of the Tarn
- Take a tour of the Millau Viaduct which was designed by architect Norman Foster and engineer Michel Virlogeux.
- It was attention-grabbing to find out about its building and get shut as much as elements of the viaduct which are typically off-limits except you’re on a tour.
- Take part in La Course Effiage du Viaduc de Millau—-your solely alternative to stroll/run on the viaduct
- Kayak on the Lot or Tarn rivers
- Hike within the Grands Causses Regional Pure Park and discover the gorge
- Go to Najac, Belcastel, or Villefranche-de-Rouergue and discover the Gorges de l’Aveyron
4. Culinary Escapades: A Feast for the Senses
After I return, I’ll have an urge for food for Aveyron delicacies. I’ll take pleasure in creamy Aligot d’Aubrac, crunchy farçous, and sharp Roquefort cheese and check out some conventional meals I missed.
(a) Remaining Plans (Meals To Eat)
- Gâteau à la broche (aka ‘spit cake’)- I’m significantly keen to do this distinctive “spit cake”. Cake batter is poured over a rotating cone-shaped mould and cooked over a spit (hearth). The tip result’s cake in a conical form. I noticed them being bought in bakeries and markets throughout my final journey and want I had tried one.
- Les Échaudés-small biscuits made with anise seeds
- Estofinado-crumbled stockfish (dried cod or haddock) with mashed potatoes, exhausting boiled eggs, garlic, Crème fraîche, and oil,
- La Soupe au Fromage-cheese soup made with grated Laguiole or Cantal cheese, bread, cabbage, onions, and broth.
- Les Tripous-a conventional dish of Aveyron made with veal stomach—veal tripe. It’s typically full of veal, ham, garlic, parsley, white wine, carrots, and tomatoes. Tripe shouldn’t be one in all my favorite meals to eat. Perhaps at some point.
(b) Suggestions
- Strive a number of the meals listed above
- Aligot d’Aubrac-mashed potatoes with butter, cream, garlic, and tomme of Laguiole cheese
- Farçous-deep fried fritters made with herbs with greens or meat
- Fouace-brioche-like candy bread
- La Flaune-a flan-like cheesecake -Roquefort cheese—DO go to Roquefort-sur-Soulzon and take a look at the cheese caves.
Be sure you try a few of these Aveyron meals and eating places from my first journey.
5. Artisanal Treasures: Exploring Aveyron’s Craftsmanship
Returning to Aveyron looks like coming residence – to a spot the place time slows down, and worries soften away. Whereas Rodez can function a handy base for exploration, do enterprise deeper to find the wonderful handcrafted items by native artisans.
(a) Savonnerie du Larzac
In Millau, there’s a Savonnerie du Larzac store and workshop which sells handmade sheep milk soaps. The milk of the Lacaune sheep added to glycerin retains extra moisture, so the cleaning soap lasts longer and is extra moisturizing to the pores and skin.
(b) Laguiole For Knives
A visit to Laguiole within the north may additionally be on my itinerary to discover the well-known knife-making traditions. There’s the Coutellerie de Laguiole Honoré Durand store that I positively need to go to. There’s a free tour the place one learns concerning the heritage of Laguiole and the knives. Within the museum one learns about its historical past and sees previous Laguiole knives. Demonstrations by a cutler exhibiting how the deal with of a Laguiole knife is formed is completed proper in entrance of you.
(c) Millau For Gloves
I hope to return to Millau, identified for its glove-making heritage. Final time I visited Maison Fabre Ganterie to see their gloves however missed the glove manufacturing facility tour—a must-do this journey!
(d) Villefranche-de-Rouergue’s Well-known Market
I’ll go to Villefranche-de-Rouergue on a Thursday morning for its famend market at Place Notre Dame, that includes contemporary native produce and handmade crafts.
(e) Artisans Aveyronnais
Do try the big variety of craftsmen and firms in Aveyron starting from woodcrafts, metals, glass, leather-based, pottery, and jewellery situated all around the area: Craftsmen And Firms.
6. Hidden Treasures and Particular Occasions
Whereas I’ve explored a lot of Aveyron, there’s at all times extra to find. I’m excited for surprising adventures, points of interest and native suggestions.
My Remaining Plan
Alpacas:
I’ve heard there’s alpaca breeding in Maleville and St-Geniez-d’Olt-et-d’Aubrac—and in addition to visiting the farm, you possibly can go on treks with these stunning mammals. It’s a whimsical expertise I’m desperate to attempt.
La Transhumance en Aubrac:
This Transhumance en Aubrac takes place round Might 25 and is just like La Transhumance in Saint-Remy-de-Provence the place sheep are led to greater pastures by shepherds. However this time, it’s Aubrac cows who’re taken as much as the Aubrac plateau by their breeders. The cows graze and benefit from the summer season pastures till October. Whereas I received’t be there in Might, I’m hoping to see the procession of cows coming down from the hills once I’m there in October!
7. How To Get To Aveyron
To discover Aveyron you actually need to have a automotive. The key airport is Rodez, however you can fly to Toulouse, Montpelier, or Bordeaux, however drives will probably be longer (to Rodez).
- 1:40 hours from Toulouse airport
- 2:20 hours from Montpellier airport
- 4:20 hours from Bordeaux airport
8. My October Itinerary
For my journey in October, I’ll take a prepare from Paris to Clermont-Ferrant after which decide up a rental automotive. I nonetheless haven’t determined the place I’ll be primarily based. Maybe Rodez once more. The deep, rural allure of Aveyron, its gorgeous landscapes, and its relaxed tempo make it an excellent vacation spot for unwinding. I’ll discover the world for every week after which drop off my automotive in Toulouse which is my departure metropolis.
9. The place To Keep In Aveyron
Throughout my earlier go to, I stayed in Rodez, Millau, and Saint-Affrique. Take a look at the lodging within the cities the place I stayed:
- Rodez was excellent for day journeys to see many quaint villages
- Millau for La Course Effiage du Viaduc de Millau and exploring the viaduct
- Saint-Affrique for its proximity to the Roquefort cheese caves
That is the itinerary from that trip- #35-Paris and Rural France.
I like visiting Aveyron France as a result of it’s nestled within the coronary heart of the nation, permitting me to totally immerse myself within the French language and tradition. The gorgeous panorama, charming villages, and medieval castles create a picturesque setting. The area’s slower, extra relaxed tempo affords the right alternative to decompress and savour the second. And, after all, indulging within the scrumptious Aligot d’Aubrac is an added delight!
Have you ever been to La France Profonde? Any extra suggestions?
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