Major attractions
The magical landscapes of the Aubrac mountains
The word Sagnes refers to the small streams descending from the Aubrac mid-mountains. These steppe plateaus of volcanic origin offer enchanting landscapes suitable for hiking, cycling or even horseriding. During winter, the Aubrac mountains welcome skiers (downhill and cross-country skiing) in several resorts.
Aubrac is the country of burons (former local typical farms) and cows of the breed Aubrac whose milk is used to prepare the tomme cheese for the local Aligot … a must-taste specialty! It is also the country of the famous knives of Laguiole, which workshop you can visit in the village bearing the same name.
Conques
Conques, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Conques is a place full of history, a remarkable natural site. In this village on the Way of Compostela, you will visit the Romanesque abbey church of the 11th century and its tympanum of the Last Judgment. In Conques, you have to be charmed by the old village’s small streets, visit the European center of medieval arts and civilisation, and admire the goldsmiths pieces inherited from the past…
La Haute vallée du Lot (The high valley of the Lot river)
The Lot offers in its upstream part landscapes of forests and pastures with typical architectures (houses in red sandstone…) and many villages that are worth the detour like Estaing, Saint Côme d’Olt or Sainte Eulalie d’Olt. The Lot river valley is the ideal setting for many sports activities (hiking, cycling, water sports, horseriding) or nature and discovery (environment, mushroom picking, heritage discovery, …).
Grands Causses, Tarn canyon and the caves of Roquefort
On the Causses mid-mountains, you will find a limestone and arid universe with bare landscapes … its environment is conducive to an encounter with nature. During your walks, you will meet those sheep whose milk gives, after a passage in the Caves of Roquefort, a world famous cheese…
At the end of the Causse de Sauveterre, the Tarn and the Jonte river canyons invite you for canoeing, kayaking or a boat trip as well as for swimming on sandy and pebble beaches.
Visit Millau, capital of handgloves and renowned for its famous Viaduct, with a world record of 343 meters at the top of the pylons.
Rodez and the Soulages Museum
Prefecture of Aveyron located 30km from Espalion, Rodez is home to the famous Soulages museum, a must-see visit allowing you to discover the artist’s multitude of works.
Techniques and supports used by the artist: paper, canvas, glass, bronze or copper, printed work (strong waters, lithographs, serigraphs), preparatory works for Conques stained-glass windows, paintings on canvas and on paper (a unique set including gouaches, inks and walnut stain), documentation, books, photographs, films, correspondence …