A few words on Aveyron Department

Geography

Aveyron is a rural department situated in the South of Central Massif. It is also the most northerly department of the region "Midi-Pyrénées". The climate is at the confluence of Atlantic (area of Villefranche-de-Rouergue) and Mediterranean (valley of Tarn) influences. With the rise of the relief, the climate turns rainy mountain on Aubrac and dry mountain on eastern Grands Causses (large limestone plateaus). The climatic variation and a large geologic diversity are the source of the hight flora richness and of the wide range of landscapes. Magmatic rocks dominate in the North where enormous lava flows spread out from ancient big volcanoes up to set up the massif of Aubrac. Ségala and Lévezou in Western-Central area are constituted by schists. Dolomitic limestones of Grands Causses are Jurassic in age. The rock was dug by water, so that many caves can be found, which make Aveyron a department appraised by speleologists. The flora is noteworthy by its large biodiversity: from Mediterranean plants in the Tarn valley (thyme and Cade Juniper downstream to Millau) to the boreo-alpine vegetation of Aubrac peat bogs. The Atlantic influence is quite obvious in the center of the department, with the presence of Pyrenean Oak in western Ségala.

 

History

The amount of megalithic vestiges testifies to a very ancient human activity in this department: there are more dolmens in Aveyron than in all Brittany. The name of the administrative centre, the town of Rodez, originates from the Gallic tribe of Rutènes. In the Roman epoch, an important industrial area was situated near the current town of Millau: the antique site of Graufesenque exported earthenware dish all around Mediterranean sea. From an architectural point of view, the country of Rouergue is extremely marked by medieval period: jewels of the Romanesque sacred art abound, Conques abbey church being the most famous. The Knights Templar and Hospitalar had marked with their presence the South of the department. In the troubled times of One hundred years war, villages took a circular shape surrounded with sturdy ramparts, churches also became bulwarked (Anglars du Cayrol, Sainte Radegonde). The same phenomenon of protection around a sacred place used as shelter or integrated into the ramparts of the town reappeared during the religious wars which were very cruel in Rouergue (Rodez Cathedral). Only the southeast of the department, close to Cevennes, has kept a significant Protestant community. During the French Revolution, the clergy, followed by the majority of the population, accepted badly the obligated priests' oath to the constitution and the climate of terrors by Jacobins. In modern times, the heavy loss of the First World War as well as the drift from the land have profoundly modified the demography of the department. The rural areas emptied and the phenomenon continues without yielding almost in several cantons situated in mountain. Outside urban areas (Rodez and its suburban zone, Millau, the English wording "Mechanic Valley" in the downstream part of Lot), some people have understood that the green tourism could be an activity which deserves to be taken into account (Tarn and Lot valleys, mountains of Lévezou).

 

Hiking characteristics

Although the strolls cannot be categorized as mountain type, flat hikes are quite rare, excepted for the expanse of Grands Causes and Aubrac plateau. You will find few strolls entirely in forest, excepted for Aubrac and sides of valleys. The only zone of significant snow coverage allowing some ski trails is situated on the highest part of Aubrac (between Laguiole and pistes of Brameloup). Valleys with deep gaps offer many panoramas. The lovers of botany will appreciate the floral richness. Nevertheless, the most noteworthy topic relates with patrimonial treasures of sacred art: all the strolls are marked by crucifixes and most of them display also a medieval church. The frequency of vestiges of the ancient megalithic civilization, among which very beautiful dolmens, is remarkable. The classic architecture is less present. Few monument date from modern period (railroad viaduct upon Viaur) and, if they were not Pierre Soulage's stained glasses in Conques and the symbolic silhouette of Millau's viaduct, the contemporary architecture would look like relinquished.

 

French Internet sites for outdoor activities

Speleology and Canyoning in Rodez : mjcrodezspel.free.fr
Hiking with a Certified Guide : www.allers-retours.fr
Hang gliding and paragliding : flyfree
Equestrian center of Larzac : www.arnalgaillac.com
Horse breeding (Merens breed) and horse hiking : fermedugriou.free.fr
The velo-rail, a fanciful way to hiking : www.domaine-barraque.com
Outdoor activities around Millau : www.horizon-millau.com
Breeding of purebred Arabians for endurance and trail riding : elevage-barthas
Outdoor counselors in the gorges of Tarn and Jonte (in French) : www.guidestarnjonte.com
Climbing, canyoning, via ferrata, and acrobatic circuit : Grimpe & Cimes
Equestrian Association in Bozouls: www.cavaliersducausse.fr.tc
Santiago pilgrims' service: luggage deposit, shoes drying, etc.: Hal't pèlerin