This post is contributed by Marie, founder of Miles of Happiness. She’s French, so the details below are the words of a local!
France is not only about the Côte d’Azur and Paris. This immense country has many hidden treasures, and the Aveyron is one of them. It’s located in the northeast of the Midi-Pyrenees region of southern France.
Here are nine good reasons to go visit this super charming part of France.
1. The Villages
A road trip in the Aveyron is a great way to discover the region, going from one village to another. You’ll cross medieval villages surrounded by mountains and forests, gorgeous little churches, narrow streets, and timber framed buildings. Some of the historic buildings belong to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. The Food
The French like to eat, but the people from Aveyron are crazy about food! The Aveyron is a culinary paradise. The land is rich in (delicious) local produce, from wine to cheese, meat to pastries. They have lots of ‘must-try’ specialities, but the best is the aligot, based on potatoes and tome fraîche and estofinado. Real delight.
3. The Outdoors
From the plateaux of the Aubrac stretch beyond the horizon to the rocky chaos of the Causse du Larzac, from the sumptuous Gorges du Tarn to the superb Lot Valley, nature is full of character in Aveyron. It’s an amazing playground for a multitude of outdoor activities: hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, skiing, aquatic walks, paragliding, rock climbing, biking, and more.
4. The Atmosphere
The Aveyron is a much less touristy area to travel than other parts of France, which means it seems as if it’s your own discovery. You won’t cross many foreign tourists, it’s the “France profonde,” which means the real French from the countryside. Incomparable with the Côte d’Azur or those flashy shining parts of France. It’s authentic. There’s nothing fake in Aveyron.
5. The “Wildlife”
The Aveyron is made of pastures and forests, with big and pretty inhabitants. It’s probably the prettiest cows ever: the Aubracs. Tan in color, with long lyre-type horns, Aubracs are a tough breed with high resistance to disease, high longevity and easy calving. You can recognize them with their eyes, it looks like they’ve put some makeup on! Primarily a beef breed, the milk from these cows is also used to make traditional Laguiole cheese. People from the Aveyron are very proud of their Aubracs.
6. The Festivities
In Aveyron, people will always find excuses to party. Festival, exhibitions, fair, shows… One unmissable event is the Transhumance. It’s a traditional practice at the start of spring, where cattle are led from the bottom of the mountain to the top, on the summer pastures. They are adorned with flowers, plumes, ribbons, etc. It’s one of the most touristic events of the region. The parade is spectacular to watch.
7. The Savoir-faire
Knife-makers, luxury glove makers, leather workers and tanners, and the clothing industry are some of the main activities in the Aveyron based on long traditions and diversified savoir-faire. People like to work traditionally, with their hands. The artisanat* is well-developped in Aveyron. You can find real treasures there!
*Crafts in French
8. The Markets
Where flavours and smells mix… Enjoy the authentic markets, fill your picnic hamper with fresh and varied local produce and relish the taste of the Aveyron. You’ll find delicious sheep, cow, and goat’s milk cheeses – don’t miss the Roquefort. The traditional fouace is a must as well, and the farçous, the estofinado… In addition to the food, you can also unearth beautiful local crafts.
9. The Millau Viaduc
– Photo Credit CEVM / Foster & Parners / D. Jamme –
Suspended between sky and earth, with its slender lines and appearance of a sailing boat, Millau Viaduc meets with everyone’s approval. It’s the tallest bridge in the world, with piers rising higher than the Eiffel Tower. It’s absolutely spectacular. Its symmetry, gentle curve, and pure white color give the bridge an almost dreamlike quality. Crossing Millau Viaduc is truly a unique experience.
Originally from Provence (France), Marie lived in Belgium, New Zealand, then Indonesia, to settle down in Hong Kong in 2014. Curious of everything, she has an unquenchable thirst for discovery and sharing. She spends as much time as possible traveling throughout Asia, discovering new pieces of paradise all year long.
Follow the adventures of Miles of Happiness on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. You can also watch her videos on Vimeo and get inspired on her Pinterest.
I found my fave street vendor with a wicked handlebar mustache who only got slightly frustrated with me when I didn’t understand everything he was saying in German.
