Places To Visit
Only a few minutes away is Laguépie, a lively town famous for its chestnut festival, which is situated between the popular bastide and medieval towns of Cordes-sur-Ciel, Najac, Puycelsi and St. Antonin-Noble-Val. Or you could visit Roquefort, the Toulouse- Lautrec Museum, Millau Viaduct or one of the many Gaillac vineyards.
Laguépie
The lively, market town of Laguépie is our nearest town with amenities. It has 2 small supermarkets, a bakery (to get those much loved croissants), a chemist, post office, cash machine, a few bars and restaurants and an office de Tourisme where you can find out more about the area. You can also hire bikes from a shop in the square. Laguépie is also known as ‘The town of two rivers’ as it is where the Viaur meets the Aveyron river. It is most famous for its chestnut festival in October and its medieval castle that borders the departments of ‘Tarn and Garonne’ and the ‘Aveyron’.
Cordes-sur-Ciel
Cordes-sur-Ciel is one of the most beautiful villages in the region. Founded in 1222, jewel of the Bastides Albigeoises – the New Towns of the Middle Ages . It is perched on the top of the mountain and offers the most breathtaking views. You start your walk at the bottom of the village (or you can take a small train!) and wind your way up the steep, cobbled street to the top, on the way passing many local artists studios including painters, sculptors, potters, instrument-makers.
Monestiés
In 2001 Monestiés was classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Monestiès is nestled in a loop of the River Cérou 20 kilometres north of Albi ; an old stone bridge spans the river just a stone’s throw from the fortified gate that marks the entrance to the village. Although Saint Jacques’ Chapel no longer welcomes pilgrims on their way to Compostela, it does house some exceptional furniture including a 15C altarpiece comprising 20 multi-coloured statues.
Carmaux
Carmaux was famous for its important coal mining (from thirteenth century to 2000) and its glassworks (from eighteenth century to 1931). “In 1892, Jean Jaurès supported the miners of Carmaux when they went on strike over the dismissal of their leader, Jean Baptiste Calvignac.” So Jaurès converted to socialismand became deputy of Carmaux from 1893 to 1898.
Albi
Albi is the department’s capital and lies above the Tarn Valley along the banks of the river Tarn. The town is dominated by an enormous red brick cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d’Albi) and it is from the river Tarn that the reddish clay was taken to build the majority of the town. At night the majestic Cathedral is floodlit creating a dramatic sight. The town is also famed for being the birthplace of the painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and the museum there houses many of his works.
Gaillac
The ancient town of Gaillac is not far from Albi and is surrounded by vineyards and dramatic gorges with breath-taking views of the mountains in the distance. Since Roman times, Gaillac has been producing wine and today produces the most popular wine of the area. Red and white wine are equally delicious. Wine caves and a museum offer opportunities for authentic tastings and an insight into the wines history
Distance From la Peyrecout:
Lavaur
The fortified town of Lavaur is constructed in the familiar red brick of the area. Typically French in both appearance and ambience, this lively town has a wonderful Saturday market and the impressive Romanesque cathedral, Cathédrale Saint-Alain de Lavaur.
Mazamet
The colourful and bustling market town of Mazamet is located in the south of the department. It is situated at the base of the slopes of the Montagne Noir and offers a gateway to the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the Med and the Pyrénées.
Rodez
The capital of Aveyron is Rodez, it is in the centre of the department and perfectly placed for visiting the whole of the area. It is built high above the river Aveyron and is dominated by the massive red sandstone Cathedrale Notre Dame which was begun in 1277 and was one of the first Gothic buildings in the South of France. The two main town squares, Place de la Cite and Place du Bourg, are linked by a network of well restored medieval streets.
Villefranche
Villefranche is a beautifully preserved bastide town founded in 1252. The oldest part of the town is a small network of streets set on the banks of the river Aveyron and dominated by the 14th century church of Notre Dame with a tower that is accessible for panoramic views. In front of the church is an arcaded market place which is home to a bustling market every Thursday morning.
Najac
Najac is rather unusual in that although it is a small village it spans two hills. The pretty village is a single street that tails back from the hill to the valley overlooked by ancient houses. There are some incredible views of the ruined chateau on a separate hilltop as you walk down through the village. The royal fortress is set in an impregnable position and once defending the region’s rich silver and copper mines.
After a days outing why not sample some of the local produce – noticeably the fruity, red Marcillac wine or the superb Roquefort classic blue cheese, which has been matured in limestone caves and produced there since 1925.
Roquefort
Roquefort itself is a very unprepossessing town. It is small with narrow and very steep streets dotted with vast tourist adverts for its cheese production and cave visits. The cheese is produced entirely from the milk of the ewes and ripened in the natural damp, aired caves found under the village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon.
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