One of the biggest and best known places in the department of Aveyron is Millau. You have probably already heard of the ‘Viaduct of Millau’ (opened on the 16th of December in 2004). This viaduct is at one point even higher than the Eiffel Tower (317 meters). The highest pylon reaches 343 meters in the air. Many people look forward to cross this viaduct. Besides that Parapente is a very popular activity in Millau. It’s an extreme sport where you jump off a mountain with a parachute. Rodez, the capital city of this department, is situated by the river the Aveyron and is also known by her great cathedral.
The Aveyron is a beautiful department in the Midi-Pyrenees in Southern France. It owes its name to the river that runs through it. In addition, the Aveyron, before the revolution known as ‘Rouergue’, is part of the Massif Central. The highest altitude in this department is 1463 meters, lowest is 144 meters. This creates a very varied landscape.
The Aveyron is bursting with fresh, local products. Some recommendations: aligot (made from potatoes and Tomme cheese), confit de canard (preserved duck), foie gras (goose liver) and of course the most famous cheese from the Aveyron: the Roquefort. Many kinds of wines and sweet treats like ‘gâteau à la broche’ are produced there. Often, you can buy these products on the local traditional markets organized by many villages in the department. Michel Bras, one of the most famous chefs from France, gathers his inspiration largely from the local products of the Aveyron.
In the Aveyron is plenty to do. Discover for example the Cellars of Roquefort, the insect museum Micropolis or what about a canoe trip on the river Tarn? This holiday destination is very attractive for water sports enthusiasts and anglers. On lakes such as ‘Lac de Pareloup’, ‘Pont-de-Salars’ and ‘Villefrance-de-Panat’ you can practice different sports such as windsurfing, sailing and jet skiing. ‘Bage’ and ‘Gourde’ are lakes that are specifically reserved for fishermen. Water sports are prohibited here.