The Tarn Aveyron, a wild land of character

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Presentation, Geography and History

Tarn Aveyron in France

The Tarn Aveyron Guide invites you to discover a region steeped in history, with a rich natural, landscape, gastronomic and human heritage. The Tarn-et-Garonne, the Tarn and the Aveyron, await you for holidays sometimes relaxing or sporting, full of flavors and wow!

These 3 departments, contiguous to each other, were not grouped together by chance! Located to the north of the former Midi-Pyrénées region, recently merged with Languedoc-Roussillon to form the greater Occitanie region, they are a melting pot of Gascony, land of causses, mountains, gorges and large plateaus of character. Here, nature offers a majestic and complementary spectacle. We have chosen to offer you a pleasant travel and stay experience through these undulating and wild territories.

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The Tarn-et-Garonne

The Tarn-et-Garonne is one of the smallest departments in France! Surrounded by the Lomagne (which stretches from the Gers to the Haute Garonne), the lower Quercy (the Lot) and flush with the Causses of the Aveyron, it is a territory of great landscape richness. It is diverse, crossing it, you will never see the same landscapes! Plains, river valleys, gentle and undulating hills, magnificent gorges and limestone plateaus... This particularity offers it a multitude of playgrounds for sports enthusiasts, hikers and nature lovers in general.

The Tarn-et-Garonne is not very high in terms of altitude, the large plateaus barely peak at 500m. It is an agricultural land, its inhabitants have always taken advantage of the silts of the Tarn, the Garonne, the Aveyron and the multitude of small rivers which cross it.

The climate, otherwise mild, offers mild seasons and few frosts. Perfect for orchards, you can happily find there, on sunny days, a multitude of cherries, small fruits bursting with sunshine. This is also where the famous and sweet Moissac grapes have planted their vines.

Landscape of cultures of Lauzerte

The main towns of Tarn-et-Garonne are Montauban in the center, Castelsarrasin, Moissac, Caussade, Valence, Montech, Nègrepelisse...

Montauban remains however the most important city (the prefecture), due to its area and its population density. Castelsarrasin and Moissac are secondary towns, which have developed thanks to their economy, the others are mainly small towns, even large villages.

The Tarn-et-Garonne is a countryside department, with a low population density and a dispersed habitat. You will walk there without stress, on a well-maintained and pleasant road network.

In Tarn-et-Garonne, the fork and the knife occupy an important place in the heritage! Here, we eat well, it's still Gascony and Occitan culinary specialties are legion. It is a Land of Plenty, truffles, sunny wines, and delicacies of ducks and geese are kings there.

From castles to majestic abbeys, from pretty castelnaux to exceptional bastides, it is a diversified destination for the whole family.

The red bricks of Montauban

The Tarn

It flows there, this river which gave it its name, of course! Between the central massif and the Aquitaine basin, the Tarn is made up of dualities and oppositions:

• relief and geology, the black mountain in the south-east culminates at more than 1200m, the Lacaune mountains stand out in the east and contrast with the plateaus and the wiser relief of the west.
• of climate, with a mountainous and continental predominance in altitude, an oceanic trend in the north and west.
• demography, with an employment basin rather directed towards the north, due to the industrial exploitation of underground resources and the geographical isolation in the mountains.

These specificities only support the turbulent destiny of the Tarn. Human traces have been found there dating back 500,000 years. The Albigensian crusade against the Cathar heresy in the 13th century left traces in the historical past of this department: battles, massacres, revolutions.

After the wars of religion, it was the trade union struggles that shook the atmosphere with battles and political turmoil. The class opposition is marked in the Tarn and at the end of these economic and political troubles, it is the 2 world wars that hurt the population.

The 12th century Château de Penne

Equidistant from the Toulouse agglomeration to the south-east and from Montauban to the west, the Tarn is a rural department, which has long made agriculture and industry its economic hobbyhorse. Today, it is tourism and the tertiary sector that drive it.

The tourist offer, the splendor of the landscapes, the charismatic bastides with their abundant history, are all attractions for holidaymakers. The climate is pleasant, even if you are not on the French Riviera, the sun is very present! The summers are hot, the winters are cold without being harsh and tourism is gradually developing throughout the year.

Here, it is also the welcome that is valued, the Tarnais are reputed to be warm! Good living continues on the plate, with recognized and delicious specialties at the crossroads of Gascony, Rouergue... You can eat pork, blood sausage, Lacaune charcuterie... based on mushrooms resulting from picking, saffron sauces, pastries and small cakes of all shapes and textures...

Albi and its culinary delights

The main towns of the Tarn are Albi (the prefecture), Castres, Gaillac, Lavaur, there are also the essential tourist attractions such as Cordes sur Ciel, the Sidobre and its rocks, the perched villages, the paths of the black mountain... The Tarn is inexhaustible in various experiences, landscapes bathed in sunlight and hidden in the morning, in the middle of the clouds...

Cordes-sur-Ciel, a magnificent village

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Aveyron

Here, everything is beauty! Succession of mountains, rocky plateaus, deep valleys... Aveyron, which is roughly on the territory of the former province of Rouergue, is positioned right in the middle of the southern half of France. It is famous for its traditions, its authenticity.

Rural and landlocked, it is nonetheless very touristy and supported by beautiful towns. Rodez is the prefecture, with Millau (and its famous viaduct) and Villefranche-de-Rouergue as sub-prefectures. Habitat density is low here. Even if in the heart of summer, the population is much larger, you will always have the impression of being alone in the world, alone facing the beauty of the landscapes, the aridity of the causses, the majestic character of the gorges, the harshness of the cliffs where villages are placed gracefully (but who built them there??).

In Aveyron, we go from wonder to wonder, it is a large department, at a varied and quite high altitude. We climb up to 1400m in the Aubrac mountains. Here, you have to take a little wool, even in summer. On the sets, it can be hot but in general the thermometer does not exceed 20 degrees. It's a good thing, because Aveyron is a giant sports ground. Here we run, we walk, we do sliding sports, sailing, river. With sneakers, a paddle, snowshoes, a wetsuit, a bike, a harness, nothing will stop you...

Millau, capital of nature sports

There are many natural regions in Aveyron, you can make several trips in one, but be careful, the roads are thin and winding, you have to plan your routes well so as not to be late, because the gorges, the altitude and relief can be confusing on a flat map!

• In Aubrac, this volcanic and rich land, you will come across cows in the pastures and always greenery.
• The Lot valley, its lakes and dams, its magical villages, will amaze you.
• Bas-Quercy and its bastides, touches the Tarn-et-Garonne, here we are on the Causse!
• The Rougiers de Marcillac and their surprising fauna, flora and red soil offer a truly amazing microclimate!
• Ségala and Lévézou are only valleys, lakes and undulations of nature. Here we relax!

Everything is diversity in Aveyron, everything is also good meat. Yum the aligot, yum the juicy and tasty meat specialties. Creamy cheeses, fresh and full of character... Fortunately, it's hilly and sporty in the region: to eliminate your hearty meals!

Roquefort from Roquefort-sur-Soulzon

Discover the Tarn Aveyron

To discover these magnificent regions, we have divided the territories into several entities. To highlight the particular landscapes, cultural specificities and elements not to be missed, we invite you to consult the map below and refer to the corresponding sections.

Map of Tarn Aveyron

The territories of Tarn-et-Garonne

To discover the riches of the Tarn-et-Garonne, we suggest you stroll according to your desires in the 5 regions that we have delimited:

• The Coteaux de Gascogne: is a beautiful natural region that includes Lomagne. Here, it is a land of market gardening, vineyards and orchards. A few steps from the Gers and the Haute-Garonne, it is an ideal place to evolve in these different departments. You will discover Beaumont-de-Lomagne, the Bastide of the mathematician Pierre Fermat.

• The Great Fluvial Valleys: Montauban, the Canal des Deux-Mers... Here it is the kingdom of pink brick, we are not far from Toulouse! Beautiful landscapes and strolls in Auvillar (one of the most beautiful villages in France), in Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Grave, to get to know Lamothe-Cadillac. Visit the second town of the department, Castelssarasin and its lakes. Nègrepelisse and its castle...

• L'Entre Deux Rivières: Between the Aveyron and the Tarn, there are pretty little villages, such as the medieval village of Montricoux, the medieval bastide town of Montclar-de-Quercy, Vaïssac and its little Paris...

• The Causses du Quercy Garonne: This is where a good number of sumptuous active and dynamic bastides are concentrated in the summer. The Aveyron gorges offer grandiose panoramas and beautiful surprises, such as Bruniquel (and its 2 castles), Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (craftsmen's village), Caylus and Laguépie.

• Le Bas Quercy: Here, other charming villages, close to the Lot. Come and see Caussade and find a headgear to suit you, Lafrancaise and its magnificent belvedere, Moissac and its grapes bursting with sugar, Lauzerte and its delicious Quercy melons.

Map of Tarn-et-Garonne

Brick arches in Auvillar

The territories of the Tarn

On the way to the Tarn, its mountains and its plains, its sun and its culinary specialties! Here, we offer you to navigate in 4 different regions. From north to south, from the mountains to the magnificent Albi, the Tarn awaits you:

• The Albigensian: In the heart of the Tarn, here is Albi a sublime city, an episcopal city all dressed in red bricks. Everyone who comes there feels the sweetness of life... Lagrave in the heart of the Gaillac vineyards, the bastide town of Réalmont and that of Lisle-sur-Tarn, a stone's throw from the wine-growing châteaux...

• Les 3 Vallées: Villages of character and perched, renowned bastides like Cordes sur Ciel which will not fail to amaze you (and tire you, take trainers!). A stone's throw away is Penne. A little further, Carmaux and its prosperous industries, the medieval city of Monestié, Pampelonne in Ségala... We really feel good here!

• La Corne d'Abondance du Tarn: This is where gourmets meet! The Pays de Cocagne is a giant basket of fruit and sweets. The villages are still playing tag! Puycelsi in the Vère valley, Gaillac and its vineyards, Rabastens and its hiking trails, Giroussens and its pottery and finally Lavaur for its delights.

• The Granite Mountains: It's chaos here! Finally, that of the rocks! In Dourgne, we climb, Labruguière, Mazamet and its specialty: stripping. Castres, a large city in the area and its colorful houses right on the water. Burlats and the chaos of Rouquette, Lacaune les Bains to relax, Montredon, St-Pierre-de-Trivisy, the Gaulish fortress of Ambialet... So many beauties to discover!

Map of the Tarn

Castres and its multicolored houses

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The territories of Aveyron

Aveyron is large and even if it is difficult to classify the unclassifiable, at some point you have to get organized! This is why we offer you 3 territories to explore this vast department, while trying to find a common thread to guide your steps. Then follow us:

• Between the Gorges and the Aveyron Valleys: Cheeses, cows and picturesque villages, a great programme! Go through Rodez, the capital, Belcastel and its charming houses, the elegant bastide of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Najac where the time of the Templars floats, Decazeville and its coal mines, Conques and its abbey, Laguiole and its knives, its cheese, Estaing, Espalion and its museums, Bozouls and its hole! Sévérac-le-Château and its medieval center...

• Heart of Aveyron: Here we are in Ségala, water sports on the many lakes, agriculture, relaxed lifestyle and beautiful walks. Lévézou plateau towards Pont-de-Salars, Salles Curan and its lakes, Sauveterre de Rouergue, one of the most beautiful villages in France and Naucelle and its 2 villages, Requista and its sheep...

• Causses, perched villages and Templars: And here is the Larzac! Geology competes with gastronomy and sporting pleasures. Here, everything is attractive: Rivière-sur-Tarn on its rocky promontory, Millau and its viaduct, but not only, because it is a very attractive and diverse city! Nant and its surrounding villages nestled in the hollow of nature. La Cavalerie and its stone houses, Roquefort-sur-Soulzon and its world famous cheese, Saint-Affrique in the Parc des Grands Causses, Camarès and its rougiers, the breathtaking Couvertoirade, all in traditional stone.

Map of Aveyron

La Couvertoirade and its stone houses

To make the most of your stay in Tarn Aveyron, don't forget to check the weather forecast for your region.

Take the opportunity to make your stay coincide with a party or event. There are events all year round and it's so nice to enjoy a festive atmosphere during your holidays. We mingle with the local population, we learn things, we discuss, we eat well...

Explore ways to get where you want to go with our section on getting around and major public and road transport routes.

There are many small villages that offer very nice weekly markets, we have them all (hope!) listed by department. Look at the Tarn-et-Garonne market days, the Tarn market days and those of Aveyron.

And don't forget to find out about regional products, gastronomy and recipes from this region! To get to know each other and make a list of the wonders to discover on site!

Finally, wine lovers will be happy to learn more about the vineyards, producers, PDOs and alcoholic beverages in general, for each department.

Hummm regional delicacies, here the Aligot from Aveyron

We wish you a very good holiday in Tarn-et-Garonne, Tarn and Aveyron, we invite you to consult and subscribe to our Facebook page to find out more and contact us!