“Gorges de l'Aveyron” is the French name for the canyon cut by the Aveyron river in the limestone of the causses du Quercy. It is one of the nicest country sides in the south of France for cycling or walking, with unspoilt nature and marvelous sights. The canyon connects three well-preserved medieval villages: Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, Penne and Bruniquel.
History has left its traces: the bastides were fortified villages and towns, as a defense system against conquerors, and in order to re-populate the French South-West after the crusaders devastated the region in their crusade against the cathars. During the Hundred Years War, the English destroyed many places, ransomed the inhabitants and occupied large territories. The Religion Wars have opposed neighbouring villages one against the other, Catholics killed their Huguenot neighbours and vice versa, commerce and industry were brought to a standstill, infrastructure was annihilated. Famine and Black Death decimated what was left of the impoverished population. The situation improved a little bit in 19th century thanks to a relative peace; then the 20th century took his toll. The Great War decimated the male population, and afterward people leaved the country-side in the hope for jobs and a better life in the cities.
Because to this poverty, landscapes, villages and houses are relatively unspoiled. Up to now, the touristic value has largely been underestimated: no crowds will hamper the pleasure of a traveler as in other regions, the people are nice and pleasant to foreigners. From the Aveyron river, it takes only a few kilometer to enter the Forêt de Grésigne, the largest oak forest in the South-West. Around this natural beauty, the bastides albigeoises invite you to further discovering beautiful bastide towns: Cordes-sur-Ciel, Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Puycelsi. And south of this area, you are amidst the Gaillac vineyards, near the river Tarn, near Albi with its splendid Cathedral, Pont Vieux and Palais de Berbie, World Heritage treasures. If you fancy nature and culture, this small region between Aveyron and Tarn deserves your visit...
Bed and breakfast Artichaud is in the middle of the bastides albigeoises, the gorges de l'Aveyron and the Gaillac wineyards. It is an excellent place to discover the region, by car or motorbike, walking or cycling. We have a large documentation and can provide maps to our guests. Our B & B is an ecological guest house, and very comfortable; delicious meals with organic food and excellent gaillac wine.
Text & pictures : © Bed and Breakfast Artichaud
