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50 Shades of Black in Rodez

Rodez
Culture and Heritage

Rodez is one of the " Grands Sites Occitanie". It is also a central point for exploring Aveyron. The city is located in the heart of the department. Rodez has done everything to make you love art from all eras! As you walk there, you will pass from the most important collection in Western Europe of statue-menhirs, sculpted around 5000 years ago, to the very contemporary works of the famous Pierre Soulages... The latter is one of the greatest painters of the French scene. He invented "outrenoir" and his paintings can only be fully appreciated in real life, believe me. So, forget your screens and go to Rodez to discover art in all its forms!

Stroll among the menhir statues of the Fenaille Museum

STAY LESS THAN 300 METRES FROM THE SOULAGES MUSEUM IN RODEZ

Ideally located in the historic centre of Rodez, the 2* Logis Hôtel du Midi welcomes you all year round in its simple and cosy rooms. Settle in just a stone's throw from the famous Soulages Museum and visit it on foot with ease.

SPACIOUS AND COMFORTABLE ROOMS

Take the time to admire the beautiful stone house that will be your future cosy nest. Inside, the 32 rooms, divided into several categories, are ideal for a stay alone, as a couple, with family or friends, with a variety of options available:

Triple room;
Twin room;
Double room;
Superior double room;
Two-bedroom apartment.

Bright and carefully decorated, the rooms at the 2* Logis Hôtel du Midi also feature a private bathroom with shower or bath, TV, air conditioning (except in the apartments) and free internet access.

HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES IN THE HEART OF RODEZ

One of the Logis Hôtel du Midi 2*'s strong points is its location, right in the heart of the historic city centre and less than 300 metres from the Soulages Museum. You can leave your vehicle (car or motorbike) in the hotel's private car park and walk to the museum. Once you have finished your visit, you can explore the city centre before dining at the hotel restaurant, which serves local cuisine for both lunch and dinner. Book your stay now to discover the wonders of Rodez and its museums.

Be curious and discover “black light” at the Soulages Museum

The building specially designed to house the Soulages Museum is itself a remarkable architectural work. Whether you find this work beautiful or not, it will intrigue you... It has already been talked about throughout the region ! It is a wonderful setting to house some of the works of Pierre Soulages produced throughout his life and representing a sample of the research he was able to carry out for the very particular world of non-figurative art.

The Soulages Museum is a very stylish building

All his work is nothing but tests and permanent questioning. Thus, a space is dedicated to the research carried out to create the stained glass windows of the abbey church of Conques, which is a medieval village located 40 km from Rodez.

A touch screen is available for you to virtually visit the Conques abbey church

He passed away in 2002, but was still painting after celebrating his 100th birthday in December 2019! How can you make color without color ? It's his life's work... Pierre Soulages thus created " black light " or " outrenoir ".

Work on the material which gives “different” blacks

But don't be skeptical; it's a very accessible art form, a wonderful experience for all ages. Pierre Soulages works question, divide, and amaze those who are willing to let themselves be carried away. How fortunate that this artist made an exceptional donation of 500 pieces to the Greater Rodez Urban Community!

You will also find at the Soulages Museum a space dedicated to the exhibition of other artists

A day in Rodez…

You should allow 2 hours, or even half a day for connoisseurs, to appreciate the Soulages Museum.

Be aware that depending on the time of day, you won't see the same lighting effects on the painter's paintings. I recommend going in the morning to enjoy the perfect lighting to appreciate the works. A little bonus: there are fewer visitors!

Once your car is parked in the museum car park, you can continue your day on foot. It is very pleasant to stroll through the narrow streets of Rodez, to stop for a hot drink or in a shop. And even better, it is the opportunity to taste the Aveyronnaise meat which is a real treat !

Bistrot Populus

Restaurants
Rodez

Enjoy delicious bistronomic cuisine in the heart of Rodez

193 m

Le Clos - Restaurant du Chateau de Labro

Restaurants
Onet-le-Château

Bistronomic cuisine with the flavors of Aveyron in a romantic setting

5,8 km

Hôtel Restaurant La Route d'Argent

Restaurants
Bozouls

A refined gourmet restaurant in the heart of Bozouls in Aveyron

18,1 km

Aveyron meats, a must in Rodez

Take advantage of your visit to Rodez to visit another Fenaille museum, another treasure of the Aveyron city.

Discover the Fenaille Museum

The Fenaille Museum, a journey back in time 5,000 years!

The menhir statues are almost 5,000 years old

The Fenaille Museum presents an exceptional collection of menhir statues almost 5000 years old. These works still remain an enigma, because it was not possible to determine their origin. They were mostly discovered in the south of the department. The Fenaille Museum is considered one of the most beautiful archaeological museums in France. It is an unmissable stop in Rodez.

The museum offers a journey through the ages from Prehistory to the Renaissance, to be enjoyed as a family.

Thanks to the PASS 2 museums, you have access to the Soulages museum and the Fenaille museum for around ten euros (free for those under 18 and students).

Portrait of Marie Fenaille, the wife of Maurice Fenaille, patron of the museum

Rodez Cathedral: stained glass windows for all tastes

Rodez Cathedral

To end your visit to Rodez in style, don't hesitate to visit the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral. You won't be able to miss it, as its bell tower dominates the city. The town has decided to entrust the creation of the stained glass windows to different artists, thus transforming the building into a true exhibition space, mixing the old and the modern. So, take the plunge and choose your favorite stained glass window !