Location & Local Info

Nearest airport: Rodez (6km). Toulouse and Montpellier (120km).

Nearest train station: Rodez (2km).

Nearest town: Rodez (1km).

There are many picturesque small villages to visit in the region. One of the most famous is Najac, with it's chateau overlooking the village. Here are some descriptions of other particularly delightful local villages:

- A stop on the pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela, cobblestoned Conques boasts an enormous abbey, whose ninth-century gold Sainte Foix treasure is a medieval masterpiece.

- Sauveterre de Rouergue, a 13th-century bastide, is centred on an arcaded square with half-timbered houses, low ramparts, and craft shops. In the village of Clairvaux d'Aveyron, the Domaine Laurens produces distinctive purple Marcillac wine.

- A little farther away are Roquefort sur Soulzon, whose caverns are home to the tangy blue cheese, and Millau, where the British-designed, French-built, viaduct is as much a sculpture as a bridge.

- The major regional city of Toulouse is an easy drive away with its shops, restaurants, pavement cafes and historical buildings, together with attractions such as the Space City and the Aerospatiale factory, where you can observe airliners being assembled.

- Information on all of the attractions and activities is available at the house so that you can plan your daily activities. There is also a collection of local guidebooks and maps, including guides to the local footpaths.

- Rodez is a typical medium-sized French town, located in beautiful countryside, and benefits from the fact that there are many different kinds of terrain to explore in the local region - verdant rolling hills, forests, mountains, gorges, and rivers. The town itself has a very attractive shopping area and a traditional bustling market which sets up three times a week. Leisure activities in the town include three cinemas, a bowling alley, an indoor go-kart track, squash courts, museums, a striking cathedral, night clubs, and of course many excellent restaurants. These include:

- La Taverne: 23 Rue de l'Embergue. The atmosphere and decor is that of an old French wine cellar - they serve a range of local cuisine and have a large selection of wines.

- Restaurant le Lion d'Or: 89 Avenue de Paris. This is a very popular restaurant in Rodez, used by locals and tourists alike. They serve a range of local dishes and wines at reasonable prices.

- Other local activities include skiing, horse-riding, canoeing, rock-climbing, tennis, hang-gliding, swimming, fishing, golf, cycling, and good old-fashioned walking.