The Aveyron has many beautiful villages to visit. 10 of the top 20 most charming villages in France are situated in the Aveyron area. All these are within a one hour drive of the Auberge des Arcades in Canet de Salars.
Driving is an absolute delight in the Aveyron with very little traffic and it makes a lovely change to the crowded urban roads we are all used to.
Here are just some of the places to go and things to see in the Aveyron.
Driving is an absolute delight in the Aveyron with very little traffic and it makes a lovely change to the crowded urban roads we are all used to.
Here are just some of the places to go and things to see in the Aveyron.
Lac de Pareloup
One of the many beaches at the Lac de Pareloup
The Lac de Pareloup is excellent for skiing and wakeboarding. Towing inflatables and jetskis are allowed. It is very large and there is room for everyone. Petrol is available on the lake 24/7 and a pontoon, just 2 km from the hotel, can be rented. Dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking are very popular on the lake as well as fishing and swimming in the clean blue waters.
Two monitored public beaches, Pareloup and Vernhes, are available but one can opt for quieter beaches away from the crowds, such as the beautiful Caussanel beach (just one kilometer from the hotel) or simply chose one of the many creeks formed by the flooding of entire valleys, hamlets and farms .
Two monitored public beaches, Pareloup and Vernhes, are available but one can opt for quieter beaches away from the crowds, such as the beautiful Caussanel beach (just one kilometer from the hotel) or simply chose one of the many creeks formed by the flooding of entire valleys, hamlets and farms .
Millau Viaduct
Millau Viaduct
Record breaking Millau Viaduct Bridge holds the world record for the tallest bridge, culminating at 343 metres (higher than the Eiffel tower), 2460 metres long and touching the bottom of the Tarn valley in only 9 places.
The bridge constitutes the most spectacular link in La Méridienne: the A75 motorway, linking Clermont-Ferrand with Béziers and Narbonne, which is the least congested and cheapest route between Paris and the Mediterranean…
Resting to the north on the Lévézou and to the south on the Causse du Larzac, Millau viaduct crosses the Tarn valley, a few hundred yards from Peyre, one of the 10 "plus beaux villages de France" (most beautiful villages in France) found in the département of the Aveyron. It is, of course, very close to Millau, “ville d’Art et d’Histoire”, outdoor sports capital and gateway to the Gorges Tarn.
The bridge constitutes the most spectacular link in La Méridienne: the A75 motorway, linking Clermont-Ferrand with Béziers and Narbonne, which is the least congested and cheapest route between Paris and the Mediterranean…
Resting to the north on the Lévézou and to the south on the Causse du Larzac, Millau viaduct crosses the Tarn valley, a few hundred yards from Peyre, one of the 10 "plus beaux villages de France" (most beautiful villages in France) found in the département of the Aveyron. It is, of course, very close to Millau, “ville d’Art et d’Histoire”, outdoor sports capital and gateway to the Gorges Tarn.
Rodez
Perched on top of the hill that Rodez is built on is the impressive 13th century Cathedral of Notre Dame. There is nowhere in this city where you can escape the aged gaze of this wonderful building, a constant reminder to Rodez's ancient past. The cathedral dominates the city and provides an excellent point of reference should ever you get lost. Visit the cathedral, 'Notre Dame de Rodez', the Fenaille Museum and the Haras National Stud Farm before strolling through the historical center of Rodez. Make an outing to Combelles equestrian center, play on the 18-hole golf course or set out on one of the many hiking and rambling trails.
The beautiful city of Rodez, just 24 Km from Canet de Salars, is a wonderful mixture of old and new. This is modern city with modern ameneties, lots of great restaurants but a city that is steeped in history too. With a small population of only 38,000 people this city has everything. Stroll through the cobbled streets and browse the many small shops and stalls of the open market.
On the outskirts there are many retail parks and hypemarkets allowing you to enjoy all the benefits of a major city while still retaining its distinctly French nature.
The beautiful city of Rodez, just 24 Km from Canet de Salars, is a wonderful mixture of old and new. This is modern city with modern ameneties, lots of great restaurants but a city that is steeped in history too. With a small population of only 38,000 people this city has everything. Stroll through the cobbled streets and browse the many small shops and stalls of the open market.
On the outskirts there are many retail parks and hypemarkets allowing you to enjoy all the benefits of a major city while still retaining its distinctly French nature.
Micropolis, Cité des Insectes
(Insect Centre), theme park, restaurant, boutique. Live insects, 3D cinema, carnivorous plants... Discover an infinitely small world of nature and biodiversity.
15 exhibition rooms in which to penetrate the mysteries of a magical world, a real immersion in the fascinating world of nature and insects. An unusual, detailed, amusing, interactive exploration, with spectacular settings and the presentation of living insects (over 70 species). Don't miss the butterfly house, the giant ant-hill, the vivarium room and the Insect Carnival, an outdoor trail full of poetry and humour.
Theme-based guided tours and daily activities during the school holidays New for 2011: from spring onwards discover the incredible inhabitants of the aquatic world of ponds. 3D zooms of certain insects. 3D film 'Abeilles" (bees) co-produced with the Cité des insectes.
15 exhibition rooms in which to penetrate the mysteries of a magical world, a real immersion in the fascinating world of nature and insects. An unusual, detailed, amusing, interactive exploration, with spectacular settings and the presentation of living insects (over 70 species). Don't miss the butterfly house, the giant ant-hill, the vivarium room and the Insect Carnival, an outdoor trail full of poetry and humour.
Theme-based guided tours and daily activities during the school holidays New for 2011: from spring onwards discover the incredible inhabitants of the aquatic world of ponds. 3D zooms of certain insects. 3D film 'Abeilles" (bees) co-produced with the Cité des insectes.