Viaduct of Millau © Stefan Krause- licence [CC BY-SA 3

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Explore the historic province of Rouergue

Explore the historic province of Rouergue

Pierre

Last Updated: 4 March 2020

Detours of France, Midi-Pyrénées

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Rouergue is a former province of France to the South of Auvergne and North of Languedoc, which includes today’s département of Aveyron.

Rouergue

Rouergue lies in the centre of a triangle formed by the Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier and Toulouse. Its current population is approximately 276,000.

Rouergue Map

A bit of history

Conques © J-f.desvignes - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons — Conques © J-f.desvignes – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

The county of Rouergue was once a dependency of the counts of Toulouse. It became part of the Kindgdom of France in 1271 before being surrendered to England in 1360 (Treaty of Brétigny) for 8 years. During the French Revolution, Rouergue became part of the new Aveyron département which took its name from the main river that flows through the region.

Natural Sites

Gorges du Tarn © Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0

The four main rivers of Rouergue: Truyère, Lot, Aveyron, and Tarn have carved a lot of deep gorges through the high rocky plateau.

The majestic canyon of Gorges du Tarn is partly located in the Aveyron département, between the Causse Méjean and the Causse de Sauveterre.

Part of the Cévennes National Park is located in Rouergue.

Millau and Rodez

Rodez © Pauzies - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons — Rodez © Pauzies – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

Famous for its natural beauty, Rouergue is also home to one of the world’s highest road bridges: the Millau Viaduct which spans the river Tarn near Millau.

The historic capital of Rouergue is Rodez, an ancient city of 25,000 inhabitants, worth a visit with its cathedral Notre-Dame and old district.

Tourist Attractions

Najac © Alecs.y - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons — Najac © Alecs.y – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

The province is home to many tourist attractions. They are many medieval castles and monasteries to discover such as the ruins of the perched castle of Najac and Conques Abbey.

Most Beautiful Villages of France

Belcastel © Pierre Bona - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons — Belcastel © Pierre Bona – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

Ten villages are listed as “most beautiful villages of France” and are member of the association “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”: Belcastel, Brousse-le-Château, La Couvertoirade, Conques, Estaing, Najac, Peyre, Saint-Côme-d’Olt, Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt, Sauveterre-de-Rouergue.

Cheese

The great quantity of sheep raised in Rouergue contributes to the reputation of its cheese: Roquefort. The king of Blue Cheese is produced in the small village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, West of Millau, on the border of the Grandes Causses.

Tourist information site of Aveyron: www.tourisme-aveyron.com

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Pierre

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.