The bastides of Aveyron, essential visits to the Occitanie region
The bastides of Aveyron, essential visits to the Occitanie region
49 m - Villefranche-de-Rouergue
Culture and Heritage
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English
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Sub-prefecture of Aveyron, Villefranche de Rouergue is the 3rd largest agglomeration in the department and can be proud of 2 classifications/labels: "City of Art and History" and "Grand Site Midi Pyrénées". It is an important bastide, on the banks of the Aveyron. The name of the city is directly linked to its creation: Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of King Saint Louis, granted tax facilities to the first inhabitants to boost the emergence of his brand new city and ensure its prosperity. It was at the end of the 18th century that Villefranche de Rouergue experienced a period of great economic and cultural success, it was then the most populated city in Aveyron. It was not until the Revolution that it lost its status as capital (in favor of Rodez).
During your visit to this typical bastide, you will discover, along the parallel streets following the checkerboard plan characteristic of the towns of this period: Place Notre-Dame, which is listed as a Historic Monument. It is surrounded by beautiful houses with covered stone arcades, you will see houses of beautiful architecture, with splendid stone ornaments. The square has been renovated to express all its cachet. Not far away is the Notre-Dame collegiate church, the central building of the bastide with its majestic bell tower-porch. Also admire the former Palais de Justice, which is now the town hall, in a building from 1861.
The Old Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur and its two cloisters and the Chapel of the Black Penitents of the Holy Cross are two of the many churches and religious buildings in the town. In Villefranche de Rouergue is the Urban-Cabrol municipal museum, which traces the history of the city and its surrounding region.
Above the Aveyron, is the consul's bridge, all in stone.
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Sub-prefecture of Aveyron, Villefranche de Rouergue is the 3rd largest agglomeration in the department and can be proud of 2 classifications/labels: "City of Art and History" and "Grand Site Midi Pyrénées". It is an important bastide, on the banks of the Aveyron. The name of the city is directly linked to its creation: Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of King Saint Louis, granted tax facilities to the first inhabitants to boost the emergence of his brand new city and ensure its prosperity. It was at the end of the 18th century that Villefranche de Rouergue experienced a period of great economic and cultural success, it was then the most populated city in Aveyron. It was not until the Revolution that it lost its status as capital (in favor of Rodez).
- Français
